Question: Well, I'm 14 and I'm totally freaking out about something. I was talking to a friend the other night about vaginas and I started talking about how I felt that there was something blocking the vagina. I can get an object a few inches in when it just stops abruptly. I have no idea what this is, but I hope you have an idea cuz' I'm worried.

Answer: The vagina is only 2 1/2 inches long in the front and 3 inches long in the rear. You should be able to touch your cervix with your fingers, especially if you bear down like when you are having a bowel movement. I suspect the object you are inserting into your vagina is pressing against your cervix. This is normal. If you try to force objects into the vagina you can injure your vagina and cervix.

Please see the articles about the Anatomy of the Vagina, Locating the Vagina, and Cervix for detailed information.

Her Reply: Thanks for the information. I always thought that the vagina was, like, however many inches long. Cuz' I've heard stories of girls getting dildos that are 6 inches "up there." Is that really possible?? and if not, what if your sex partner has a long.. ya know.

My Answer: The dimensions I mentioned are for the vagina when it is at rest. When you become sexually aroused it does lengthen a little. When you add the depth of your vulva, the lips and introitus (area around the vagina), and your vagina when aroused, an erect penis six inches in length does fit. Even so, it is not unusual for the penis to press into or hit the cervix, depending on the position a couple has intercourse in. There are women who enjoy this and others who find it painful.