10 things you didn’t know about your vagina

There are many things women probably don’t know about their vaginas. It’s shocking but true. Let’s face it, every woman has a vagina. Growing up, you just saw your vagina and learnt the word, but do you really know everything about your vagina as a grown woman?

Woman, how much do you really know about your vagina? There are fascinating facts about your vagina that you don’t know. After reading this article,you will find out that your knowledge of your vagina is not nearly as much as you might have thought.

According to www.glamourmagazine.co.uk, there are 10 things every woman must know about her most priced possession-her vagina.

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ
Contrary to what you might have thought, your bits don’t need much help to stay peachy-clean. The vagina produces its own protective substances to get rid of unwanted fluids and bacteria. In fact, many feminine hygiene products can actually do more harm than good, unbalancing the natural pH of your vagina and increasing the risk of irritation. The safest way to stay fresh? Leave your vagina to clean itself.

Small girls do not have tighter vaginas

It is a complete myth that short, petite girls have smaller, tighter vaginas than taller or bigger girls. It is also unlikely that you have a ‘tight’ vagina at all. Vaginas are elastic and will stretch and expand – sometimes to almost twice their size – during sex, regardless of how big or small you are. If you do feel a little tight downstairs, your hymen may be slightly thicker or your muscles may contract with more force. Too tight? Get checked over by a doctor to work out what the problem is.

Healthy vaginas don’t smell
If you are fighting fit and healthy downstairs, then your vagina shouldn’t smell much at all, which means a stronger-than-usual odour can be a great indicator of potential health problems. A change in your natural odour could mean you’re suffering from dehydration, a yeast infection, or even that you’re taking too many vitamin supplements. Do you have an on-going odour issue? Book an appointment with your doctor so you can work out what the problem is.

Having an orgasm is better than pain reliever

When you have an orgasm, your body releases a stream of feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins, which are kind of like natural morphine. The result? Not just a rush of euphoria, but something that can act like a painkiller and numb discomfort. The South Illinois School of Medicine did a study of 52 female migraine suffers in 2008, and found that 16 of them experienced significant pain relief, while it cured eight of their ailment altogether.

Not all yeast is bad
Yeast infections are actually just an overgrowth of yeast organisms that already exist in your vagina. They tend to multiply out of control when your immune system is low, your diet is poor, you are on antibiotics, or even wearing nylon underwear a few too many times. To prevent yeast from taking charge, simply limit sugar and bread intake and try exchanging your man-made pants for a good old-fashioned pair of cottons.

Not every woman has a G-Spot
Scientists finally discovered where they think the G-Spot is in 2008, but in doing so also discovered that, unfortunately, millions of women don’t have one. Research indicates that women who were confident they possess the spot – an area around 2cm inside the top section of the vagina – have significantly thicker regions than those that do not. Blood tests also show that the lucky women have higher levels of chemicals linked to sex function too.

Vaginas shrink back to size after birth
It’s a scary prospect, pushing your bundle of joy through the small bony circle of your lower pelvis, right before you force its head and shoulders through your vagina, expanding it to more than three times its usual size. But, contrary to what horror stories you may have been told, most vaginas do retain their natural size, shape and tone after giving birth. It may take a few months, but it’ll get there, allowing you and your partner to enjoy sex just as you did before. Want to speed up the healing process? Give pelvic floor exercises a whirl.

Discharge is squeaky-clean
Your discharge – the white or clear liquid that comes from your vagina – should be clean and odourless. Discharge is the exact opposite of ‘dirty’ and is packed full of friendly bacteria to protect against infection, lubricate, and cleanse the vagina. If you have excessive discharge, you’ve noticed changes in colour, odour, or are experiencing itching or irritation, book an appointment at your nearest sexual health clinic or visit your doctor for a check-up – you may be harbouring a little problem down there.

Orgasms start in the brain, not the vagina
Think that overwhelmingly pleasurable sensation is coming from between your thighs? Think again. The act of orgasm actually occurs between your ears, when certain cerebral pathways in your limbic system (the part of your brain that controls emotions, desires and impulses) are turned off as they are bound to by nerve cell receptors and chemical messengers (as instructed by your vagina), while others are turned on with the biggest blast of dopamine (the naturally-occurring chemical that allows us to feel intense rushes of pleasure and cravings) that you can legally get hold of. No wonder we’re always chasing that thrill.

Pubic hair is there for a reason

It might be a tad unsightly, but there is a point to pubic hairs. Aside from acting as a great indicator of sexual maturity in more confused, cave-man times, the coarse hairs are thought to reduce external friction during sex, collect secreted pheromones, and protect against all kinds of skin complaints, from infections and rashes to full-blown acne. Think about that before you book for a Brazilian wax.