Vagina Fact Versus Fiction – From Acidic Conditions to Shrinkage and 4 Inch Long Clitoris – Everything You Need to Know

Over the past few weeks we’ve covered weird and wonderful facts about breasts and the penis, and now we turn to the vulva and vagina.

Female genitals are most commonly called by their nicknames – ‘down there’, ‘lady bits’, ‘foof’ and ‘vajayjay’ are just some of the words we use to beat around the bush.

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A survey carried out by gynecological charity Eve’s Appeal found that about half of parents use nicknames when talking to their daughters about their genitals and 1% don’t even refer to them.

It is important to use correct anatomical terms, and the words vulva and vagina are no different from other anatomical names such as elbow or nostril.

So let’s be clear.

The vulva is the external genital organs, which include the labia majora, the outer lips with fatty hair, the labia minora, the thinner inner lips that may protrude outside the labia majora, the clitoris, and the entrance to the vagina.

The vagina is actually inside, it’s the muscular tube that connects the vulva to the cervix, which is the cervix. To help you remember, the vagina still has the letters ‘IN’!

Now that we know the basic terminology, let’s get into some weird and wonderful facts you might not know about vulvas and vaginas.

1. Your vagina is acidic

Think about school chemistry classes, water is neutral with pH 7.

But the skin of the vulva has a pH of around 5.5 and the vagina is even more acidic, with a pH of around 3.8-4.5.

Because this acidic pH allows the vagina’s microbiome to flourish, using products like bubble baths and various vaginal washes (which are not necessary, see below) and even some lubricants can affect the vaginal pH and cause problems like thrush.

2. The clitoris is bigger than you think!

There will be some variation in size between people, but the little bump that many people think is the clitoris is actually just the glans of the clitoris, which is the equivalent of the glans penis, or the head of the penis.

The clitoral glans can measure about the size of a pea, but the rest of the clitoris is much larger.

It extends to the vulva and internally, branching into bulbs and legs, meaning the clitoris tends to be around 10cm long.

3. The clitoris is the only organ designed exclusively for pleasure

The clitoris is the only organ in the body of all genders designed exclusively for pleasure.

It is believed to contain more than 10,000 nerve endings (although research was initially done in cows!) has no other purpose than sexual pleasure.

Just as the penis fills with blood during an erection, the clitoris also fills with blood and the more it is stimulated, the greater the likelihood of arousal and orgasm.

Approximately 80 percent of women will not achieve orgasm through vaginal penetration alone, despite what you have been told – this is normal and due to their anatomy.

Direct stimulation of the clitoris is usually necessary for orgasm.

4. If the glans of the clitoris = the penis, the labia majora = the scrotum

Yes, they look different, but the labia majora — the fatty outer lips of the vulva where pubic hair grows — come from the same tissue as the scrotum during development in the womb.

5. The vagina can grow… and shrink

Like other parts of the body, the vagina grows and changes over time, for example during puberty and pregnancy.

The vagina is extremely elastic and stretches.

Think of it the same way as if you rolled up your sleeves – initially your sleeve is bunched up and small, but it has the ability to stretch and be pulled down again to cover your arm. The same happens with the vagina.

It has wrinkles, small folds or pleats, which can stretch and expand as needed. The average vagina is 5 to 13 cm long, but stretches during sexual arousal and penetration.

But this does not mean that any stretching, including during childbirth, is permanent.

Any changes are usually temporary and pelvic floor exercises are essential to protect the pelvic floor and improve vaginal muscle tone.

6. Discharge is normal

There are entire industries based on the idea that vaginas are smelly and dirty.

That’s absolutely not the case, your vagina doesn’t smell like a bouquet of roses, because, well, it’s not a bouquet of roses.

Discharge is normal and healthy and helps keep the vagina clean and lubricated.

You may notice that your secretion changes throughout your cycle, becoming thinner or stickier at certain times.

It tends to be clear, white or creamy in color and has no odor or is smooth. If your discharge changes in amount, color or smell, see your doctor.

7. The vagina cleans itself

That’s right – the vagina is like a self-cleaning oven, it cleans itself with secretions.

In fact, it does a better job than most self-cleaning ovens!

The vaginal microbiome is the healthy bacteria that live in the vagina.

Cleaning the inside of the vagina, even douching internally with water, can disrupt the vaginal microbiome and cause problems such as candidiasis.

Clean the vulva with water, but leave the vagina alone! You’re not dirty and you don’t smell bad, and if you’re worried about this, see your GP.

8. Why doesn’t pubic hair keep growing?

Pubic hair has a purpose: it helps protect the genitals and keep the area warm and hydrated.

But it’s different from the hair on your head.

Pubic hair grows more slowly than hair on your head and has a longer resting phase, meaning it can’t grow as long.

9. You can’t miss anything there

The vagina is a tube with the vaginal opening at one end and the cervix – the cervix – at the other.

It is not possible to lose anything in the vagina and, apart from sperm, nothing can pass through the cervix.

Sometimes it may feel like you can’t reach a tampon, but often squatting and bending down can push the tampon a little further down so you can reach it.

If you still can’t reach it, see your doctor, who can use a speculum and forceps to remove it.

Please do not leave tampons in for more than 8 hours. But if your doctor can’t see you, it’s because you didn’t get lost, but more likely you fell!