Vagina 101: Anatomy, function, and what to look out for

What is your vagina?

The vagina is a stretchy but muscular passage that plays a key role in the reproductive system. The vagina is only one part of the female reproductive organs, although it’s often used to describe other parts, such as the vulva, but these are very different (more on that later). 

Who has a vagina?

People who are assigned female at birth and CIS-gendered women have vaginas. Some transgender and non-binary individuals may also choose to have a vagina. This is done via a type of surgery called vaginoplasty, where a vagina is constructed out of the genitals.

What does your vagina do?

The vagina plays a part in so many amazing things, such as:

• Sexual pleasure: The walls of the vagina are extremely sensitive and contain nerve endings that allow you to feel pleasure during intercourse. The vagina naturally lubricates itself when you become aroused, reducing friction during penetrative sex.
• Menstruation: When the uterus lining sheds during your period, it exits through the vagina. Some people choose to insert tampons or menstrual cups into the vagina to collect blood, others prefer to let it flow out of the vagina and collect in pads or period underwear. 
• Pregnancy: If a penis ejaculates while inside a vagina, sperm are released. They then swim through the vagina, up into the cervix, and deeper into the reproductive tract. Depending on where you are in your cycle, the sperm cell may meet an egg cell in the fallopian tube and fertilize it, this can lead to pregnancy. 
• Childbirth: If you give birth via a vaginal delivery, the baby travels from the uterus, through the vagina (sometimes called the birth canal) to get to the outside world. The vagina can stretch significantly during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through it. 

How the vagina changes during the menstrual cycle

The vagina may change during the menstrual cycle — although you may not notice anything changing unless you know what to look out for! At the start of your cycle, when you’re on your period, you will have blood flowing out of the vagina. Depending on your unique cycle, this usually becomes lighter or stops anywhere between cycle day two and cycle day seven.

Towards the middle of your cycle, as you become more fertile and estrogen levels elevate, the vagina may feel thicker and fuller. You may find your sex drive is higher — and your vagina becomes easily lubricated when you’re aroused.

Towards the end of your cycle (as your period approaches), levels of estrogen have dropped, and the hormone progesterone is higher. This can lower libido, and you may find your desire for sex drops, and the vagina may change accordingly, too. You may find your vagina feels drier or more sensitive if you have sex during this time. 

How the vagina changes during sex

When you become sexually aroused, the vagina undergoes a set of physiological changes that get the body ready for sex. As well as becoming ‘wet’ with natural lubrication, blood flows to the vaginal walls, causing them to widen and deepen. This can make it more comfortable to penetrate the vagina, such as with a penis, fingers, or sex toys.

Vagina anatomy

There are often misconceptions about vaginal anatomy and where it’s located. Let’s take a closer look at where to find your vagina:

Where is your vagina located?

The vaginal passage connects your reproductive system with the outside world. It begins just below your cervix, and the opening is located between your legs in an area that’s known as the vulva, that’s below the urethra (where you pee from) and the anus. 

Outside of the vagina

Most of the vagina is internal and can’t be seen with the naked eye. You can see the opening of the vaginal passage if you look between your legs with a hand-held mirror. This is the opening that blood passes through, as well as other fluids such as cervical mucus. If you have penetrative vaginal sex, this is also the opening where a penis, fingers, or a sex toy may be inserted. 

Vulva vs Vagina

The vulva is often confused for the vagina, but these two parts are actually pretty different. The vulva refers to the area that includes the urethra, the clitoris, the vaginal opening, and the labia (skin folds on either side of your vagina). The vagina itself is a passage, with the opening being located on the vulva area and leading up toward the cervix. 

What is the average depth of a vagina?

On average, the vagina is around 3.6 inches deep (or 9.1 cm). However, everyone is different, and research shows that vaginas vary between two to five inches deep. There are several things that can influence the depth of your vagina, such as hormonal changes at menopause, and giving birth. While there is often concern around changes to the vagina after childbirth most of the stretching that happens is temporary, and most vaginas will return to the same size (or a similar size) as they were pre-childbirth. 

Just like other parts of our bodies, our sexual organs can vary in size and appearance, and the size of your vagina shouldn’t have an impact on your life. However, if you have questions or concerns, you can always talk to your doctor or gynecologist to learn more. 

What are the most common vaginal problems?

Your vagina is an incredibly strong and versatile part of your anatomy, but it’s also delicate and can experience its own set of problems, including infections and imbalances. Here’s a selection of the most common vaginal problems and what you can do about them:

• Yeast infections: Thrush and other yeast infections are very common, they can cause a smelly discharge and may make your vagina feel itchy. You can treat most yeast infections with over-the-counter medication from the pharmacy. 
• STIs: There are a variety of different sexually transmitted infections out there (such as trichomoniasis and chlamydia), you can protect against STIs by using a condom when you have sex. STIs are very common, and most are easily treated (left untreated, STIs can lead to long-term problems such as infertility).
• BV: Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that happens when a bacteria that’s normally present in the vagina increases in number. BV is not usually serious, but you will probably have to take antibiotics to make it go away. 
• Vaginismus: A condition that can cause the muscles in the vagina to spasm when something is inserted into it.
• Vaginal prolapse: This happens when the uterus descends towards the vagina. this can happen for a variety of reasons, including when muscles weaken after childbirth, and can lead to other problems such as incontinence. 

What are some common signs or symptoms of conditions involving my vagina?

• Discomfort: Many infections can cause the vagina’s natural balance to be disrupted, which can lead to a painful or itchy vagina. 
• Pain during sex: If you notice you’re experiencing unexplained pain during or after intercourse, it could be a sign something’s not right. Sex should never be painful,so it’s best to seek medical advice and treatment if this happens to you. 
• Unexplained bleeding: Similarly, if you find you’re bleeding after sex, or experience other unexplained bleeding throughout the cycle, it can be a sign of an underlying condition.
• Changes to discharge: Vaginas naturally release a variety of different discharge throughout the menstrual cycle, but if you notice your vaginal discharge changes color or has a stronger odor than usual, it may be a sign of an infection. 
• Vaginal dryness: Your vagina will change throughout your lifetime, and vaginal dryness can be a natural part of aging as we go through menopause. However, vaginal dryness can also be a symptom of a pH imbalance or another underlying condition. 

Always talk to your healthcare professional if you notice any changes to your reproductive health. 

What are the common tests to check the health of your vagina?

Regular STI screening can help keep your whole reproductive system healthy if you’re sexually active. There are a range of tests you can take either at home or at a sexual clinic to rule out infections such as BV. 

You can also check yourself at home to see if everything is looking and feeling how it should. 

How to do a self-exam

Make sure you wash your hands before and after the exam. Try to choose somewhere warm and quiet to do the examination, but you can always use a small flashlight, or your phone to get more light if you do the exam in a darker room. 

Step 1: Strip off your bottom layer and lie with your legs spread and your knees bent. 

Step 2: Use a handheld mirror to look between your legs so you can see the vulva area. (You may also find it useful to use a flashlight to see better). 

Step 3: Identify the vaginal opening(above the anus and below the urethra), you can use your fingers to part the labia to see inside your vagina better.

Step 4: The vagina should be a dark red color, and you may be able to see the ridges in the vaginal wall. Look out for any discharge or changes to your vagina and vulva area. 

Tips to keep your vagina healthy

Vaginas are truly amazing parts of the anatomy. Throughout our lifetimes they do so much, so it’s great to think about what you can do to promote better vaginal health. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Don’t use soap in your vagina

Did you know the vagina is self-cleaning? It’s one more amazing thing the vagina can do! However, the healthy bacteria in your vagina and delicate pH balance that keeps your vagina clean are easily disrupted if you wash it with soap or shower gel. While there are some delicate washes you can use that are specifically designed to work with your vagina, the best thing you can do is just use water. 

Keep in mind that while the vagina is self-cleaning, the rest of the vulva and surrounding area is not. You may prefer to clean this area with an intimate wash or gentle soap, just make sure you keep products away from the vagina! 

Strengthen your pelvic floor

Strong pelvic floor muscles are really important, especially as we age, as these muscles tend to weaken over time. A strong pelvic floor can help with vaginal childbirth and is also an important part of postpartum recovery. But anyone can do pelvic floor exercises. From helping with incontinence to making sex more enjoyable, strengthening your pelvic floor has many benefits. 

Look out for changes

The best way to look after your vagina is to pay attention to it. Keep an eye on things, and if anything happens that’s new or unusual, don’t ignore it! Talk to your doctor or gynecologist if you experience any unexplained pain, bleeding, discharge, or sensations in your vagina. Keep this important part of your body healthy, and it will support you throughout your lifetime in so many ways. 

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