For most of human history, the vagina has been shrouded in mystery. It was something that was spoken of in hushed tones and always in private. The age of information technology has changed all that but some myths still do the rounds. No matter how educated and well read you think you are, you need to know that there are some assumptions about the vagina that are just not true. These 7 common myths need to be busted right now.
Myth #1: The Whole Area Is Called Vagina
This is a common mistake that most women make. The vagina is a muscular and tubular part of the female genital tract, which extends from the vulva to the cervix. Calling the entire region vagina is just plain wrong. When you say you shaved your vagina, what you actually mean is that you shaved your vulva, which includes your labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vaginal and urethral opening, and anus. Knowing your v-zone is definitely a plus when it comes to describing what feels good to your partner.
Myth #2: Too Much Sex Makes Your Vagina Loose
Your vagina is not some delicate flower that is ruined by sex. The vagina is designed for sex and it’s not going to become loose or damaged if you have sex regularly. It is highly elastic and not only does it stretch to accommodate size, it also comes back to its original size after sex and childbirth. Your vagina should naturally expand when you’re in an aroused condition. If this is not happening and your vagina is too tight, you’re probably not ready for sex yet.
Myth #3: Vaginal Discharge Means You Have An STD
Vaginal discharge is a good indicator of your overall health and discharge does not necessarily mean disease. If you have a vagina, you’re going to have discharge. Healthy discharge keeps the vagina lubricated and clean while decreasing your risk of infections. But here’s what you need to keep in mind. If your discharge has a noticeable odor or is yellow, gray, or clumpy, check in with your gynecologist.
Myth #4: The Vagina Is Like An Inverted Penis
The vagina and the penis do not have much in common. The myth might have propagated because the clitoris is vaguely comparable to the penis in terms of purpose, nerve endings, and physical shape. The clitoral hood which is the small piece of skin that protects the head of the clitoris is similar to the foreskin on a penis. Like the penis, the clitoris swells when it’s aroused. It also has a sensitive shaft on the inside which gives pleasure when stimulated. And that’s where the similarity ends.
Myth #5: You Can Lose A Tampon Inside It
Yes, we’ve all been there some time or the other. You go in to get your tampon and are gripped by panic when you can’t find it. However, your anatomy has a different story to tell. It’s just plain impossible to lose a tampon in your vagina. The vagina is just a few inches long and when you can’t find a string, you just have to dig a little to find it. There is no way a tampon can make its way into your stomach.
Myth #6: Your Vagina Has To Look A Certain Way
There is nothing called the perfect vagina. Whether it’s magazines or hoardings, standards of beauty are mostly made up by highlighting certain skin tones, body types, and hair textures. The same is true when it comes to your vagina. The size and shape of genitalia shown in media, and more specifically in porn is not the gold standard. In fact, there is no standard. What your vulva looks like is immaterial and it’s just as unique as you are.
Myth #7: If It Doesn’t Smell Like Roses, It’s Probably Not Clean
It’s time you stop making your v-zone smell like a garden all the time. All those scented washes and wipes ads keep telling you that your vagina should smell like a garden. Guess what? That’s not how nature intended it to be. While maintaining hygiene is important, you don’t need to smother your vagina with a barrage of scents. Your vagina has its own natural scent and though vaginal washes claim that they balance your pH, your vagina can do that completely on its own. That said, if you find that your vaginal scent is abnormal, visit your OB/GYN.
