Vag. Vajayjay. Private parts. Lady bits. Nether regions. Sex. Downstairs. The average vagina-haver may know more synonyms for how to call a vagina rather than facts about it. Ther are so many myths going around, we know way too little about a body part that’s such a vital component of our daily lives. Patriarchy, misogyny, and marketing are continually bombarding us with misinformation about our vaginas. Here are just a few things that you should know about your vagina.
- What is it exactly?
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The term vagina is often used to describe the vulva or the combination of the vulva and the vagina. However, medically speaking, the term vagina means the fibromuscular tube between the cervix and the vestibule, which is where the vulva and the vagina meet.
The structure of the vulva is composed of the mons pubis, the labia minora, the labia majora, the glans clitoris, the clitoral hood, the vestibule, the opening of the urethra, and the perineum.
The mons pubis is right above your vulva and under your abdomen. The perineum is the area between the vestibule and the anus. The vagina starts at the hymen (if you have one), just inside the vestibule.
- It is self-cleaning (for most women)
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While methods for “cleaning” or “purifying” your vagina are infinite, every single one of them is unnecessary, and most likely a scam: douches, vaginal steaming, yoni eggs… Best advice: don’t listen to Gwyneth Paltrow. The vagina is a self-regulating ecosystem. “Cleaning” can cause microtrauma and infections. It kills good bacteria (lactobacilli) and outnumbers the good bacteria by harmful bacteria, as well as putting one at a bigger risk of contracting an STI.
The most one should do to gently rub an unscented wipe around the vaginal opening and the vulva, or unscented, dye-free soap on your mons pubis to neutralize body odor. For women who are trans and have had vaginoplasty, douching with water or a mild cleanser might be necessary to reduce odor-forming bacteria. Given that they don’t have vaginal mucosa or lactobacilli, their discharge is composed of skin cells and secretions that can produce a strong odor.
- It smells fine!
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Speaking of vaginal cleanliness and scams, products that guarantee a “better” vaginal smell are not only useless but also harmful, because the scents can irritate you, causing itching or burning. Not to mention, they can also throw off your pH or lactobacilli. Your genitals shouldn’t smell like fruits or flowers. As long as the scent isn’t foul or too strong, there’s nothing to correct.
- But if it doesn’t smell fine…
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On the other hand, your vagina can, at times, have an unusual smell. If your nether regions release a fishy, foul, or strong smell, it is best to see a medical professional about it, as it could be an indicator that something is off, such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.
- Pain during sex is common, but not normal
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Dr. Jennifer Gunter, the author of The Vagina Bible, emphasizes that you should treat pain during sex as a medical condition. If someone with a vagina experiences pain during sex, it could be due to a number of factors, including — but not limited — to pelvic floor muscle spasms, vestibulodynia (nerve pain in the vestibule), low estrogen levels, vaginal infections, or not enough foreplay. If painful vaginal sex is a recurring thing for you, you should ask your medical provider about it.
- What you eat has no direct effect on your vagina
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There is no biological possibility that what you eat has a direct impact on your vagina. X or Y food will not make your vagina sweeter. Refraining from bread or sugar will not decrease your chances of a yeast infection. Your vaginal fluid contains glycogen, (the sugar stored by your body to convert into energy) because your vagina needs sugar to feed lactobacilli.
Every vagina is different, so it would be difficult to collect information that would apply to every single one. If you have any particular question about your vagina, ask your physician or gynecologist. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to want to know more about your body and how it functions. The more you know, the healthier you (and your vagina) will be.