Gynecology 101: Things You May Not Know About Your Vagina

If you have one, we certainly hope you know what its purpose is. What it looks like. And when something’s going wrong with it. 

But even we can admit that when it comes to vaginas, there may be some mystery involved. Which is why we’re here to help you understand yours better.

1. Really, it’s your vulva.

Though the word “vagina” is often used to refer to a woman’s entire “down there” region, “vulva is actually the correct term for all of the external organs, including the mons pubis (pubic mound), the labia majora and minora, the all-important clitoris, the external openings of the urethra (a.k.a, the hole you pee from) and the vagina,” HuffPost explains. You may personally prefer to use the word “vagina” in reference to what’s really your vulva — we just want to make sure you know exactly what you’re talking about.  

2. It’s okay if it looks different. 

Labia majora (outer lips) and labia minora (inner lips) can look very different from body to body. Nine different types have been broken down by The Tab, including those with curved outer lips, small closed lips, and asymmetrical inner lips, but it’s certainly possible there are even more variations. Whatever yours looks like, keeping it healthy and feeling good is the main key! 

3. It sweats!

Absolutely, groin sweating is normal. Sweat comes from the two types of sweat glands located throughout your body: eccrine and apocrine. Apocrine glands are the ones located around your vulva — connected to the surrounding hair follicles there. 

In all mammals, apocrine sweat glands secrete a fluid containing pheromone-like compounds which attract the opposite sex, and in humans, they aren’t active before puberty. Their activity is driven by adrenaline, which means stress, sexual stimulation, anxiety, pain and fright might exacerbate them. 

If you’re bothered by excessive sweating (or odor), have a conversation with your gynecologist to explore possible solutions. 

4. It doesn’t have a cherry.

Instead, it has a hymen: a thin piece of skin that stretches across part of the opening to the vagina. That is, if you’re born with one (which not everyone is). Rather than “popping” during the first experience of penetrative sex, it may stretch, or even tear a bit. (This may also happen if you’re injured by falling in a particular way on something like the edge of a bathtub, fence, monkey bars, or chair.) But you may be surprised to learn that in many cases, it stays intact.

5. It deepens and changes color when you’re aroused.

Normally, the vagina (and in this case, we really mean vagina, not vulva) is somewhere between 3 to 6 inches long, and 1 to 2.5 inches wide. “After arousal,” Healthline explains, the upper portion of the vagina elongates, pushing the cervix and uterus slightly deeper into your body to make room for penetration.” Because of the rush of blood that happens when you’re turned on, the color of your skin and tissue in that area can also appear darker. 

There’s a lot more to know about both your vulva and your vagina, and at Covington Women’s Health Specialists we want to help answer your questions, sort fact from fiction, and keep it all healthy. Book an appointment online or call 770-385-8954 to address and solve any and all of your vagina mysteries.

Back to School: How to Talk to Your Teen About Sex

This school year, your teen may have more on their mind other than hitting the books. While you may not have proof, you could suspect that they may be sexually active. 

At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, we want to help both parents and teens have good conversations that lead to well-informed decisions. 

Start at the Very Beginning

Teach boys and girls as they grow up about the parts of the body, how these body parts work, and that they are always in charge of consent. These steps can help ease you all into sex health conversations as they age.

If you’re behind in this department, arm yourself with information. Resources such as Planned Parenthood, The Center for Parent and Teen Communication, Stanford Children’s Health, and our own blog about the importance of overcoming STD stigma can offer both education and encouragement.

Remember you don’t have to tackle the entire complexity of human sexuality (disease protection, birth control, consent, masturbation, etc.) all at once. Start with the facts, and build from there. 

Face Your Fears

You might hesitate to discuss sex with your teen, and Educate Empower Kids has some guesses as:

  • Having your own issues around sex
  • Worrying you’ll destroy their innocence
  • Suspecting that talking about it will encourage it
  • Being hesitant about alienating them
  • Feeling it’s plain old awkward and embarrassing for both of you

Certainly, you both may encounter that brief, awkward moment where you’re imagining the other one “doing it”, but these discomforts are far less serious than facing pregnancy, an STI, or sexual abuse together. 

Do what you need on your own to come to grips with your emotions, first. Then practice “the talk” with a trusted friend, partner, or family member to help you gain confidence and control. 

Focus on Their Feelings 

“The easiest way to start is to be real with your adolescent: ‘This is really hard for me to talk about . . .’” recommends Warren Seigel, M.D., FAAP, Director of Adolescent Medicine at Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y. “‘But it’s important to talk about, and we have to talk about embarrassing things sometimes.’” 

Acknowledging their awkwardness (and yours) may help minimize it all together. 

After that, let your teen be your guide. Ask open questions about what they’ve heard, seen, and are curious about. Listen to their answers, address them honestly, and be responsive to their feelings before jumping in with yours. 

Also keep in mind that your teen may not have the same sexual orientation you do.  “Be clear that your love is unconditional: that you will always love, support and accept them, and that they can talk to you about anything,” Reach Out recommends. 

No matter how they feel, come back to the conversation from time to time. Even if you both consider the first talk a success, conditions can change and new questions arise at the click of a text or link.

Healthy sex and healty relationships are important to us at Covington Women’s Health Specialists. For more guidance on talking to your teen about sex, or to arrange an appointment for them, connect with us online or call 770-385-8954.

Support and Attend These Local Events for Great Causes

At Covington Women’s Health Specialists, we have been providing women’s healthcare to our community for over 17 years. We love our local community and are excited to share two upcoming events to support two great local causes.

On Thursday, August 26, Atlanta Redemption Ink will be hosting a comedy night with award-winning comedian and actor, Bone Hampton, and hosted by award-winning dry bar comedian, Lisa Mills. Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door.

Atlanta Redemption Ink is a survivor-led nonprofit that provides tattoo coverups, removals and support services to survivors of sex trafficking, gangs, former self-harmers and addicts.

The Covington Police Department’s 38th Annual Fuzz Run, presented by Covington Women’s Health Specialists, Ed’s Public Safety, Sellars Motors Inc. & Live Event Solutions, is a live event, which can also be attended virtually, on Saturday, September 11.

Register today to be a part of the largest participatory event in Covington each year, drawing approximately 3,000 runners, walkers and spectators.

We can’t wait to see you there!