One of the most common misconceptions about the vagina is this: It's the entire genital area that lies between the legs.
If you still recall any part of your Science lessons or Sex Ed, you'll realise that the vagina is, in fact, only one of the many different parts that make up the lower reproductive tract.
And while the vagina is widely recognised for its role in sexual reproduction, it can serve many different functions throughout your lifetime, from immune defence to childbirth [1].
As much as we think we might know about this part of the body—after all, you may own one yourself— there are still many popular myths to bust regarding its function, anatomy, and location.
In this article, we'll explore what the vagina really is, where it's located, what it does, and how it changes through different seasons of life. So, buckle up; what you'll learn about this intriguing body part might actually surprise you!
Let's first begin by addressing what the vagina really is.
The vagina is a reproductive organ that plays a vital role in reproduction and sexual pleasure [1]. It is the tube that connects the reproductive tract inside your body to the outside world.
This makes pregnancy possible since the vagina allows sperm to enter the body and fertilise an egg. It's the exit for your baby during childbirth and the opening for dead tissue and blood to leave the body during menstruation [1].
The vagina is a stretchy, muscular tube ranging from 7 to 10 cm in length. It starts from the outer part of your genitals, known as the vulva, and extends up to the cervix (the lower part of your womb).
But how does a tube in your body keep something as small as a tampon in place and still allow a much larger baby to pass through?
Well, the vaginal canal has a few tricks up its sleeve that help it stretch and then return to its original form as needed.
The walls of the vagina are made up of three layers: the innermost mucosal layer, the middle muscular layer, and the outermost fibrous layer [1].
The middle layer comprises smooth muscle cells, which can contract and relax. When the vagina is in its normal (resting) state, these smooth muscle cells remain active, applying consistent pressure and support that can hold something like a tampon in place [2].
When not aroused, the vagina also forms a collapsed tube with the potential to expand. This tube doesn't form a simple straight line, nor can scientists pinpoint its resemblance to any known geometric shape. Earlier research notes that the cross-section of the vagina forms an "H," but more recent studies suggest that it forms a "W." [3]
So, how does this collapsed vaginal tube expand?
Well, the innermost mucosal layer has structures known as rugae. These form the folds, ridges, and bumps found in the vaginal canal, allowing the vagina to expand and then return to its normal state as needed [4].
Here's what you need to know [1]:-
The most well-known and prominent function of the vagina is sexual reproduction.
However, the vagina serves multiple functions, including the following:-
Like many other parts of your body, the vagina undergoes different changes as you journey through various seasons of life.
Let's explore how different factors, such as age, pregnancy, and menstruation, lead to changes in the function and structure of your vagina.
You can expect significant changes to occur to your vagina as you advance in age due to hormonal fluctuations.
At puberty, the production of the hormone estrogen begins to rise, and this causes the thickening of the vaginal lining and an increase in the size of the vagina. At the same time, your body starts to produce more cervical and vaginal fluids [6].
During this stage, significant changes also occur to the microflora in your vagina. The number of lactic acid-producing microorganisms increases throughout puberty. And this helps maintain the right pH in your vagina and protect the vaginal environment from the invasion of harmful bacteria [7].
As you grow older, you'll gradually approach the perimenopause/menopause stage. During this time, the estrogen levels in your body begin to decline, resulting in the thinning of the vaginal lining. The mucosal folds in your vagina (rugae) begin to smooth out, and you may also notice vaginal dryness and a reduction in lubrication as you advance in age. This can lead to discomfort during sex [7].
Additionally, the microfloral population in your vagina begins to experience changes, leading to a more alkaline environment. This may make you more susceptible to infections [6].
Once again, the fluctuation in hormone levels orchestrates the changes in the vagina that occur throughout the menstrual cycle. For instance, the thickness of the vaginal lining is the highest mid-cycle due to estrogen stimulation [6].
Scientists are still studying how the vaginal microflora changes throughout the cycle. However, some research suggests that the balance of vaginal flora may be less stable during menstruation, leading to a rise in vaginal pH [6, 8].
During pregnancy, blood supply increases, leading to a deeper colouration of the vulva. And in preparation for delivery, the muscular fibres of the vaginal wall increase in size [6].
As the baby is being delivered, the muscular tissues relax while the rugae flatten, allowing the vaginal tract to expand for the baby to pass through [6].
Upon sexual arousal, a signalling molecule known as nitric oxide is released. While the vagina itself contains no glands, the release of nitric oxide causes fluids to leak from surrounding capillaries, and these fluids then pass through the vaginal wall to serve as lubrication during sex [1].
At the same time, the vagina also dilates and lengthens as the smooth muscles of the vagina relax, allowing the penis or penetrating object to enter. During orgasm, rhythmic contractions of the vaginal walls occur [9].
Your vagina can naturally hold something like a tampon or menstrual cup in place. This is due to vaginal muscles that remain active at rest, applying tension so a tampon or menstrual cup doesn't fall out of place [2].
In general, tampons are unlikely to impact your vaginal health when used correctly. In fact, the FDA evaluates the safety of any tampons before they can be legally marketed in the US. The FDA has cleared single-use tampons. However, reusable ones have not been FDA-approved yet, as they can increase the risk of fungal, yeast, and bacterial infections of the vagina [10].
Menstrual cups are also safe to use, according to some research. Based on these findings, using menstrual cups did not lead to any harm or injuries to the vagina or cervix and did not increase the risk of vaginal infections. Surprisingly, researchers noticed that menstrual cups might, in fact, lead to a lower infection risk compared to pads and tampons [11].
"What are some signs that something's wrong? Why does my vagina smell, itch, or burn, and do I need to see a doctor? Does a change in the colour of my discharge warrant a visit to the doctor's clinic?"
It's completely understandable to have some concerns about the appearance of your discharge and other related symptoms.
Vaginal discharge can very well be normal. If you've yet to experience menopause, you can expect your vagina to secrete about half to one teaspoon of vaginal discharge each day. This vaginal discharge is typically mucus-like, thick, clear or white and mostly has no odour [12].
However, if your vagina discharge comes with certain symptoms, you may be experiencing an infection or a bodily reaction to a foreign substance. These signs and symptoms include [12]:-
The inne minilab is an at-home device that can help you keep track of your vaginal and hormonal health. This device syncs up with a smartphone app that securely stores and analyses your hormonal data based on saliva tests while enabling you to keep track of your vaginal discharge and symptoms.
By understanding what's normal for you, you can seek prompt medical advice at the first sign of trouble.
Like any part of the body, the vagina is susceptible to illness, injury, and infection. But by being observant of your vaginal health, you'll be able to sense when something is off and get the treatment you need.