Jump to Functions
of the Vagina
Jump to Anatomy of Vagina
Jump to Nerves of Vagina and Pelvis
Jump to Blood Supply of Vagina
Jump to Developmental Anomalies
Jump to The Protective Vaginal Environment
Jump to Vaginal and Vulvar Fluids
Jump to Normal Vaginal and Vulvar Fluids (Photographs)
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Go to How to Sexually Stimulate
the Vagina
Introduction
This article primarily addresses the internal female reproductive organs, if you want to learn more about the external female genital organs please see the articles about the vulva and locating the vagina. Care of the vagina is addressed in the article about hygiene, and vaginal infections are addressed in the article about vaginitis.
It is important to note that when you read through medical references and journals you quickly become aware of the fact that there is still a lot we don't know about normal female sexual and reproductive anatomy and function, and there is some degree of debate within the medical community concerning these subjects. Very little is written in stone, and the enormous amount of normal diversity may prevent any concise conclusions. Most women probably need to know what is normal for them, and go from there, rather than looking to their peers for examples of normalcy. If you start out not knowing what is normal for you, it becomes more difficult to know what is abnormal, and potential causes for it.
Starting in childhood, girls should be encouraged to explore their body so they know what is normal for them. As they near and progress through puberty they need to be fully aware of the changes that occur, and also that their peers are experiencing the same or similar changes. As they begin exploring partnered sex and experiencing the changes associated with reproduction and aging they may then know more clearly when things have changed, and when things are no longer normal. Girls and women should be encouraged to "play doctor" on a regular basis. Women at least 18 years of age may want to start a photographic record of what their healthy vulva and vagina look like, for future reference.(6) Then if concerns should arise, they can show their doctor how things were in the past compared to the present.
The vagina is an extremely elastic multipurpose muscular passage that extends between the vestibule, which is part of the vulva, and the cervix, which forms the lower portion of the uterus. The normal functions of the vagina include:
- Conducting normal vaginal and cervical fluids out of the body during the entire menstrual cycle, beginning at puberty and extending to menopause.
- Creating an environment that helps protect the internal reproductive organs from disease.
- Acting as a conduit through which menses passes out of the body during a woman's menstrual period.
- Producing vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal, despite not having any type of glands.
- Motivating women by means of a vaginal ache to seek out vaginal penetration during sexual arousal; combined with sexual desire this potentially motivates women to reproduce, to engage in partnered sex.
- Serving as a passage out of the body for a baby during vaginal delivery.
- Providing a doctor with access to the cervix and internal reproductive organs during a gynecological exam, so they may perform a PAP test and bimanual examination.
- Producing varying degrees of pleasure for women during their sexual activities, alone and with a partner; potentially providing reward for engaging in a reproductive activity.
- If a woman has male sexual partners, acting as a potential receptacle for fingers, dildos, other sex toys, a penis, and possibly male ejaculate during vaginal intercourse.
- If a woman has female sexual partners, acting as a potential receptacle for fingers, dildos, other sex toys, and a dildo in a harness during vaginal intercourse.
The normal appearance of the vagina and pelvic muscles are most often misrepresented in illustrations in anatomy and sexuality publications, as the images are based on examinations of the body conducted after death, and medical artists usually have to distort their appearance for reasons of visual clarity. The resulting images most often portray the vagina as an open cavity within the body, which is definitely not the case. This false presentation is sometimes a source of confusion for young women trying to explore and discover their body, and couples exploring partnered sex. The following photographs reveal how the vulva and vaginal orifice normally look for one woman. More examples are available in the articles about locating the vagina and the hymen.
The vagina's external orifice is located within the vestibule of the vulva, which is the area situated between the inner labia. The vestibule, highlighted in the following illustration, is also the location of the urethral orifice, Bartholin's and vestibular glands, and hymen. As indicated in the photographs shown above, the vestibule and vaginal and urethral orifices aren't always as clearly evident and defined as indicated in this illustration. The color of the mucosal tissue of the vestibule changes during puberty, from reddish to a dull pink, while also becoming softer in appearance, and the tissues more flexible; estrogen deficiency and menopause may reverse these changes.(4)
The vestibule and vulva are not flat, nor do they all appear the same when examined. In the following illustration, the vulva on the right depicts what Dr. Dickinson believed represented an "average" vestibule; orientated with a woman lying on her back with legs straight. Observe how the urethral orifices, labeled "meatus," are each in a different location in relation to the vaginal orifice. The urethral orifice on the left appears to be located within the vaginal orifice, whereas the one on the right is clearly separated from it. This will influence not only the urine stream, but also where a woman will find her urethral orifice when she desires to locate it. This may explain why some women believe they urinate and ejaculate through their vaginal orifice rather than their urethra. Urine may flow out of the vaginal orifice if there is a vaginal fistula, which is an abnormal passage between the vagina and urethra, bladder, or rectum.
Something that is very important to note is, when a woman is standing or sitting upright her vulva and vestibule are parallel to the ground. When she is on her hands and knees her vulva is vertical, and while lying on her back the angle depends on the inclination of her hips. The following illustrations provide some indication of the various angles at which the vagina is positioned within the pelvis when a woman is laying her back with her legs and hips elevated at different heights. The resulting inclination of the vagina will determine at what angle and direction fingers, tampons, penises, and other objects must be positioned to be successfully inserted. Incorrect placement of the object can cause injury to the vulva and hymen. These four illustrations also demonstrate how the depth of the vestibule and vulva varies from woman to woman, which influences the apparent depth of the vagina when objects are inserted.
Below, I have rotated one of the illustrations shown above to provide an indication of the angle of the vagina when a woman is on her hands and knees, as some couples have experienced difficulty with rear entry sexual positions, even if they have been successful in the missionary position. This illustration demonstrates why the penis must be angled up towards the small of a woman's back, and enter from below, when a woman is entered from behind.
This illustration demonstrates the angle of the vagina when a woman is standing, which is a position sometimes recommended when inserting a tampon; if you raise one leg then your vulva will tilt upward, changing the angle of your vagina.
The vaginal orifice is maintained in a normally closed position by the pelvic muscles, which are highlighted in the following illustration. Unlike the urethral orifice and anus, the vaginal orifice does not form a watertight seal, which results in body fluids flowing freely from the vagina, if they are of sufficient quantity. The urethra and anus each have a sphincter, the vagina does not. This means women don't have voluntary control over the release of their vaginal fluids, which can be a cause for emotional distress when they are in large quantities or occur at seemingly inappropriate times.
The following MRI image and illustration demonstrate how the superficial female sexual and reproductive organs are normally located in very close proximity to one another, without any open cavities or voids. When an object enters the vagina it will most likely place pressure on the surrounding structures, including the urethra and erectile bulbs of the clitoris.
The following illustrations demonstrate how the mid-vagina is normally in the shape of an H. Observe how close the organs are together, anytime something enters the vagina, regardless of size, the body must make room for it. If the adjacent bladder or rectum are storing waste liquid and material this may influence a woman's ability to insert objects into her vagina, and the physical sensations experienced while doing so.
