Life
8 Things You Might Not Know About Your Vagina
Most of us may think we know all there is to know about being a woman, but the reality is, our bodies are a lot more complex than we realize For this reason, there could be a number of weird things you didn't know about your lady parts, but probably should. It's not exactly something you discuss with your friends everyday, so your knowledge about what's going on down there may be a lot less comprehensive than you think.
"The vagina is a taboo topic that women don’t feel comfortable talking about," says Sarah Yamaguchi, MD, OB/GYN at Good Samaritan Hospital Los Angeles. "It has turned into a negative word in our society. Colloquial terms such as 'pussy' and 'douche' imply that the vagina is something bad that we should be ashamed of."
Although our lady parts are nothing to be ashamed of, because they're considered taboo, some important aspects aren't regularly discussed. Part of understanding yourself is understanding how your body functions, especially down there, and even if it's not the most pleasant topic, you might be surprised by the number of things you didn't know about your vagina and other reproductive organs. Here are eight weird things you didn't know about your lady parts, but should.
1Some Discharge Is Normal
Some people see discharge and instantly think "STD!" but some discharge is perfectly normal. "Your vagina normally produces discharge, and it will change throughout your cycle due to hormone fluctuations," says Yamaguchi. "Even the odor may vary throughout the month." You should only feel worried if you notice a difference in your discharge color or odor or if it's accompanied by vaginal itching and burning, according to webmd.com.
2Your Clitoris Basically Gets A Boner
A penis isn't the only thing that gets erect during arousal. Your clitoris too becomes enlarged, as it contains erectile tissue that is very similar to the tissue in the penis, according to sheknows.com. Not everyone can see this swelling, but it does occur, and it prepares your body for orgasm by tightening around the vaginal canal.
3That Thing Your Male Partner Is Hitting During Sex? Could Be Your Cervix Or Uterus
"That 'thing' your partner is hitting sometimes during deep penetration causing you some discomfort is likely your cervix and uterus," says Yamaguchi. "Everyone’s uterus and cervix is at a slightly different angle and position, so different positions are more or less comfortable for some people."
4Everyone's Labia Look Different
"Some women have large labia and some have small labia, and they are not always equal on each side," says Yamaguchi. "This is normal. People have different-sized feet and different-sized breasts, so it only makes sense their labia can be different as well."
5A Smaller Clitoris Means A Harder Time Orgasming
If you've ever wondered why you have a more difficult time orgasming, your clitoris size may be to blame. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that clitorises that were smaller and located farther from the vagina were associated with more problems achieving orgasm.
6Your Vagina Has The Same Acidity As Wine
You probably haven't given much thought about your vagina's acidity (because why would you?), but your vagina's pH level is actually important. A normal level is about 3.8 to 4.5, which is about the same as a glass of wine. Changes in your vagina's acidity can actually lead to problems such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, according to webmd.com.
7There Are 8,000 Nerve Endings In The Clitoris
Your clitoris is pretty special: It has more nerves per millimeter than any other organ. It is estimated to have over 8,000, in fact, even more than the male counterpart, says gynecologist Alyssa Dweck in an article with Prevention.
8Your Vagina Is Self-Cleaning
Your vagina might seem like it needs some tending, but you're better off staying away from any soaps, as it can take care of cleaning itself. "There is no need to douche," says Yamaguchi. "Your body will naturally clean itself, and douching will just alter the ph balance and the normal flora that is there to keep you healthy."
