Vagina

What is a vagina?

Your vagina is a stretchy, muscular tube that’s an important part of your reproductive anatomy. Many people refer to vaginas as a stand-in for all the reproductive parts associated with being female. But your vagina is just one organ that’s part of your reproductive and sexual health.

Overall, vaginas have a similar shape. But they can vary considerably in:

• Color
• Discharge and odor
• Hymen shape
• Length and width

There’s no one way a vagina can look “normal” — every vagina is different. But certain signs can point to a medical issue with your vagina, like abnormal discharge and bleeding. Talk to a healthcare provider if something seems off. There’s no shame in talking about your vagina — it’s an important part of your health.

What is the function of a vagina?

Your vagina plays important roles in:

• Conception. In penis-in-vagina sex with ejaculation, the sperm’s journey to an egg starts in your vagina. They then swim through your cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes to get to an egg. When fertilization happens, it’s called conception.
• Childbirth. If you’re pregnant, you may deliver your baby through your vagina. Some people call the vagina the “birth canal.”
• Menstruation. The lining of your uterus (endometrium) exits your body through your vagina during your period (menstruation). You can insert a tampon or menstrual cup in your vagina to manage the blood flow.
• Sexual functions. You can have penetrative sex with a vagina. The walls of your vagina contain nerve endings that allow you to experience pleasure when you’re aroused and something penetrates it. Your vagina expands and becomes lubricated when you’re aroused to prevent the friction from feeling painful.

Your vagina changes over your life in response to hormonal changes. This includes life stages like:

• Puberty
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

The cells in your vagina are especially responsive to the hormone estrogen. Your body produces higher amounts of estrogen in your reproductive years than during menopause.

Where is the vagina located?

Your vagina is positioned in your pelvis between your bladder (which holds pee) and your rectum (which holds poop). It has an opening at the “bottom” and connects to your cervix and uterus at the “top.” Certain pelvic floor muscles and uterine ligaments help keep your vagina in its position.

Many people confuse vaginas and vulvas. But they aren’t the same. Your vagina is a canal-like organ located inside of your body that opens outside of your body. Your vulva is the part of your genitals on the outside of your body. Your vulva includes your vaginal opening, as well as your labia, clitoris and the opening to your urethra.

What are the parts of the vagina?

You can think of your vagina as having three main parts:

• The top (connected to your cervix)
• The inside (walls)
• The bottom (vaginal opening)

The top of your vagina

Your vagina extends from your cervix, a neck-like piece of tissue that connects your vagina to your uterus. Your vagina is slightly wider at the top (near your cervix) than it is at the bottom.

The inside of your vagina (vaginal walls)

The walls of your vagina (the inside) have three layers:

• The mucosal layer. This layer has special cells that release fluids to keep your vaginal walls moist and healthy. It has ridges (rugae) that help with the elasticity of your vagina. The ridges also provide a home for the healthy bacteria and fungi that live inside your vagina (vaginal flora).
• The muscular layer. This layer has smooth muscle fibers, which you can’t control. These muscles help expel fluids (discharge) from your vagina. When you think of “squeezing” your vagina, you’re actually squeezing pelvic floor muscles around your vagina.
• The adventitia layer. This layer has a lot of collagen and elastic tissue. It provides structural support to your vagina. It allows your vagina to stretch and expand during intercourse and vaginal childbirth.

The walls of your vagina have significant blood supply and nerve endings. These aid in the dynamic changes in size and shape your vagina can go through. They also aid in sexual pleasure and lubrication.

The vaginal opening

Your vagina ends at a hole called your vaginal opening (vaginal introitus). It’s one part of your vulva. There are folds of skin on both sides of your vaginal opening. The inner folds are called your labia minora (inner lips). The outer folds are called your labia majora.

Sometimes, your inner lips wholly or partially cover your vaginal opening. You may have to part your inner lips with your fingers to feel your vaginal opening.

Your vaginal opening is one of three essential holes in your vulva area that link your body’s internal and external functions. Your urethral opening (pee hole) is at the top. Your vaginal opening is in the middle. And your anus (butthole) is at the bottom.

The vaginal opening also has a hymen. The hymen is a small, thin piece of tissue at the opening of your vagina. It’s formed by fragments of tissue left over from fetal development. The size, shape and thickness of your hymen are unique to you and can change over time.

What does a vagina look like?

A vagina looks like a hollow tube with ridges or folds. It’s slightly wider at the top than at the bottom (the opening). Your vagina doesn’t run straight up and down. It’s typically slanted back toward your rectum.

Vaginal variants

During fetal development, the vagina can develop differently. So, you can be born with a vaginal variant like:

• Vaginal agenesis. This is when you have an absent or underdeveloped vagina.
• Vaginal septum. This is when a wall of tissue blocks your vagina, dividing it into two parts. The wall can be vertical (up and down) or horizontal (side to side).

Surgery may help treat these differences.

How deep is a vagina?

Vaginas tend to be about 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 centimeters) deep in an unaroused state. In an aroused state, your vagina can stretch to be about 4 to 8 inches deep. When you’re aroused, blood flow increases in your vulva area, causing it to expand. In a sense, this helps “lengthen” your vagina. Your cervix also lifts slightly when you’re aroused to lengthen your vagina.

But the size of vaginas can vary considerably. It depends on various factors, like your age, genes and if you’ve gone through menopause. Surgeries involving your pelvic cavity may shorten the overall length of your vagina, too.

Vaginas can also change drastically in width from an unaroused to an aroused state and during vaginal childbirth.

What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the vagina?

Many conditions can affect your vagina. But the most common one is vaginitis, which is vaginal inflammation and/or infection. Several things can cause vaginitis. Some include:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like trichomoniasis and chlamydia
• Yeast infections

Other vaginal conditions include:

• Vaginal atrophy. This is when your vaginal walls are dry and thin because of a decrease in estrogen. It happens after menopause.
• Vaginal cancer. This is a rare type of cancer that’s most common in people with HPV infections.
• Vaginal cysts. These are lumps or bumps filled with air, mucus, pus or other materials. They can be near your vaginal opening or in your vagina.
• Vaginal prolapse. This is when your vagina slips out of place because of weakened pelvic floor muscles.
• Vaginal tears. Your vagina can tear during sex or vaginal delivery.
• Vaginismus. This is when your vaginal muscles involuntarily tense and spasm when something attempts to penetrate your vagina.

Symptoms of vaginal conditions

Vaginal conditions cause a range of symptoms. They vary based on the type. Common symptoms include:

• Burning sensation when you pee (dysuria)
• Changes in the amount or color of vaginal discharge
• Irregular vaginal bleeding or heavy menstrual bleeding
• Itching, burning or sore vagina or vulva
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Vaginal discharge that smells fishy
• Vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese

You should see a healthcare provider or a gynecologist if you have these symptoms.

What tests can check the health of my vagina?

Depending on your symptoms, a healthcare provider (usually a gynecologist) can offer the following tests to check your vagina:

• Pelvic exam
• Pap test
• Colposcopy
• Vaginal PH test
• STI tests (urinalysis or vaginal fluid)
• Pelvic imaging
• Biopsy

How can I keep my vagina healthy?

To keep your vagina healthy:

• Get regular pelvic exams and Pap tests. Not all conditions that affect your vagina cause noticeable symptoms. Regular screenings allow your healthcare provider to check for conditions and provide treatment if needed.
• Don’t douche. Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your vaginal flora that keeps it healthy.
• Change out of wet or sweaty clothing. A prolonged warm and moist environment around your vaginal opening can increase your risk of bacterial or fungal vaginal infections.
• Do pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises). Exercising your pelvic floor muscles regularly may combat conditions like vaginal prolapse.
• Practice safer sex. Use condoms and other types of barrier protection when you’re having vaginal, anal or oral sex. Also, use barriers if you’re sharing sex toys. Safer sex can reduce your risk of infection and unintended pregnancies.