The vagina is a female reproductive part. Generally talking about vaginas is considered inappropriate. Many women are embarrassed about it. We have been taught that it is meant to be hidden. The vagina is the most sensitive part of your body. It is more prone to infection. And because we don’t talk about it, the underlying infection goes undetected for many women. We need to start talking about vaginal problems.
The vagina is the entry point for sperms during coitus. Our vaginas have many sensory receptors and nerve endings. It has lots of blood vessels around it. Therefore the vaginal orgasms are so intense. There are several myths and taboos about the vagina. We need to address them. Female reproductive health cannot be ignored. Here we will provide you with the myths and facts about vagina.
Most of the myths about vagina are because we do not want to talk about it. Many vaginal problems are due to the fact that the vagina is supposed to be concealed and invisible.
Myths and Facts about Vagina
Here are the myths and facts about vagina:
Myth
Your vagina is the only organ capable of orgasm.
Fact
Your vagina is not the only pleasure organ. Clitoral orgasms are more frequent. Women often tend to rub the clitoris region to masturbate. Finding the clitoris is very important to have an orgasm.
Myth
A clean and shaven vagina is the healthiest.
Fact
Pubic hair is important to protect your genitalia. It is shaven by many women to have a well-maintained vagina. This is one of the most famous myths about vagina. Try to keep the area surrounding the genitalia clean and dry. Also, you should know that the vagina is capable of cleaning itself.
Myth
The skin around the Vagina has discoloration. It can be a sign of a disease.
Fact
The skin near the vagina can be a little dark from the rest of your body. It is fine. It also changes color when aroused. Here’s an interesting fact about vagina. During arousal more blood is supplied to the surrounding vessels as a result, the color might appear darker.
Myth
STDs or sexually transmitted diseases are the only infections that can affect your vagina and other genital organs.
Fact
There are many fungal and bacterial diseases that can infect your vagina. These infections may not be sexually transmitted. Therefore, studying about female reproductive health is necessary.
Myth
Oral sex will get you pregnant.
Fact
This is one of the most ridiculous myths about vagina. Oral sex is stimulating your partner’s genitalia using your mouth. Oral sex does not include entering of semen with sperm inside your vagina. There is no chance of getting pregnant.
Myth
Asian women have tighter vaginas.
Fact
The size of the vagina depends on an individual and not on a race or region. The fact about vagina is that they have muscle elasticity. A female might have a tight or loose vagina. It depends on many factors like age, use of tampons and participation in sports etc.
Myth
The hymen is proof of virginity and chastity.
Fact
The hymen is the tissue inside your vagina. It breaks most probably during your first intercourse. But it can also be broken before your first sexual encounter. It might get broken at birth itself or if you play sports. It can rupture if you use tampons. It is not an indication of virginity.
Myth
Sex causes the vagina to become loose.
Fact
The vagina loses its tightness with age. There is no evidence to state that it becomes loose with sex. The pelvic muscles responsible for contraction and relaxation of vaginal opening will become loose with age.
Myth
After pregnancy the vagina becomes loose.
Fact
Pregnancy has an irreversible change in the vagina and other parts of the female genitalia. But it doesn’t make your vaginal opening loose to a drastic extent. Normally after some time, the vaginal wall gains its original size and tightness.
Myth
Vaginal bleeding after sex is normal.
Fact
Bleeding other than menstruation is not normal. When a female has coitus for the first time there might be a few drops of blood. Mainly because the hymen tends to rupture. But it will not always be the case. A hymen can rupture before the first sex. If there’s a lot of blood during copulation. Check for cuts and injuries near or at the opening of the vagina. Cuts and injuries could be due to underlying vaginal problems.
Myth
There are only male condoms available.
Fact
The fact about vagina is that condoms are available for the vagina as well. There are female condoms in the market. These condoms are inserted into the vagina just as a menstrual cup or tampon is inserted.
Myth
Wearing a condom will make sex less satisfactory.
Fact
Contraceptives like condoms not only prevent unwanted pregnancy. It protects from sexually transmitted diseases as well. It is important to wear a condom during coitus. They do not interfere with sexual pleasure or orgasm.
Myth
Period blood makes you impure. You should not enter the temple or the kitchen when on periods. This is one of the most popular myths about the vagina.
Fact
Vaginal blood is the shedding of the egg and the uterus lining which has prepared itself for a pregnancy. Since the egg was not fertilized it was shed out of the body. Earlier it was advised for women to take rest during periods. Therefore, they were not allowed to work in the kitchen. It has been modified to a taboo overtimes.
Myth
The vagina is gross.
Fact
It is not gross. It is a natural body part. Every woman has a different vagina. You need to take care of it. It is very sensitive. Use products that suit your skin. Avoid using harsh chemicals.
Myth
Tampons or menstrual cups can be painful to insert.
Fact
These products can be easily inserted with proper instructions from a gynecologist. There are many videos available online as well. They might feel awkward in the beginning but they are not painful.
Myth
Discharge from your vagina means something is wrong. It is an indication of vaginal problems.
Fact
Vaginal discharge is a natural way adopted by a female body to clean the vagina. If there is a lot of discharge, then there might be a problem. Be careful if there’s a development of a specific odor. You might need to see a doctor if there is a change in the color as well. A yellow color discharge can be a symptom of some infection.
Myth
Vaginal orgasms are important for satisfactory sex.
Fact
Many women do not experience vaginal orgasm during the copulation. You can talk to your partner and have a mutual understanding. Let them explore your G spot. You can stimulate your clitoris to have an orgasm during coitus.
Myth
Vaginal and urinal openings are the same.
Fact
In a female body, there are two openings. One is the vaginal and the other is the urinal. So they are not the same. Whereas males have one common opening for urine and semen.
Myth
The vagina is the only female genital.
Fact
There are other parts as well like the vulva, labia, clitoris, cervix, uterus, fallopian tube, and ovaries. Together they make a female reproductive system.
Myth
The vagina should not smell.
Fact
The vagina is supposed to have a particular smell. It doesn’t have to be a bad odor. The smell depends on your diet, cleaning products, menstrual cycle, etc. It is natural to have a vaginal smell just as it is to have a body smell.
Myth
Getting wet is not consent.
Fact
Vaginal wetness can occur in case of arousal but it can also occur due to other reasons. So it cannot be considered as a consent to have sex.
Myth
Female masturbation can occur only with insertion.
Fact
Females can masturbate to have a vaginal or clitoral orgasm. They can use a dildo to insert it in the vagina. Many women use vibrators. But it is possible to have a clitoral orgasm by rubbing the clitoris. Masturbation also helps to ease the pain during menstruation.
Myth
Cramps are expected during periods.
Facts
If the cramps are too severe you may need to see a doctor. Many cases of Dysmenorrhea go unnoticed or unreported because we think that cramps are natural. The female reproductive health is now gaining popularity as females are more open about their problems.
Myth
Vaginal farts are not real.
Fact
There is such a thing called ‘Vaginal fart’. When the air gets trapped inside the vagina during sexual activity, it might lead to vaginal farts.
Myth
Vaginas are so small, for a baby to come out of it.
Fact
The vaginal opening is around 2-3 inches, but it can stretch up to 10 times during the childbirth.
Well, these were some myths and facts about vagina. It is important to understand this body part. We don’t want you to be grossed out by the thought of your vagina. Keep it healthy and clean. You don’t have to be ashamed of it.
Also Read: Know About Vaginal Discharge
