7 Vagina Facts You Need to Know. We’ll say it again; we all need to be talking about sex more–sexual health, sexual pleasure, and sexual education. This sex ed stat stunned us: between 2022 and the first half of 2023, the number of bills introduced to restrict sexual education increased from 34 to 91, a 127.5% increase in anti-sex ed legislation. According to SIECUS (Sex Ed for Social Change), there’s a major gap in this type of education, with many reporting that they wish they had learned more about STDs, contraception, consent, and other sex ed topics in school. One of the most taboo conversations? Talking about our own body parts! That’s why today we’re here to focus on the vagina, normalizing the conversation with some fun facts we could all benefit from knowing.
1. The vagina grows with arousal.
Typically, the vagina is between three to six inches long, and one to two and a half inches wide. After arousal, the upper portion of the vagina elongates, pushing the cervix and uterus slightly deeper into your body to make room for penetration. This change helps make sex more pleasurable.
2. The clitoris has more nerve endings than the penis.
In fact, the clitoris has more than 10,000 nerve endings, according to new Oregon Health & Science University-led research. The penis, on the other hand, has about 4,000, less than half of the clitoris. So that’s how this tiny spot can pack so much pleasure!
3. The vagina wrinkles with age.
Just like your face or neck, your vagina also starts to change with age. The skin loosens because of the loss of elastin, causing a bit of sagging. You may also notice less hair down there, and even gray hair too.
4. The vagina is self-cleaning.
Don’t you wish everything had this superpower? Your vagina works to keep its pH levels at an optimal level to ward off bacteria. It’s normal to see white or clear discharge, as this is the result of its cleaning effort. Douching and other cleaning techniques are actually a bad idea, as it throws off the vaginal’s natural balance which can lead to infection. Let it work its magic on its own!
5. Vaginal weightlifting is a thing.
Did you know your vagina can pump iron? It’s a real thing that’s growing in popularity due to sex and relationship coach Kim Anami, who is trying to bring more attention to the practice. Vaginal weightlifting can help train your pubic floor muscles to increase blood flow to your genitals for more intense sexual pleasure. No, you aren’t using a barbell, but jade eggs and cones are the most common tools for this workout.
6. Hormones can mess with your wetness levels.
As we age and experience menopause and hormonal swings, our vaginal tissue becomes thinner, drier, and irritated more easily. This can make sex super uncomfortable and painful. Luckily, there are treatments that can help vaginal dryness, including personal lubricants. We make our intimacy oils with CBD, a natural ingredient to help increase blood flow, decrease pain, and promote relaxation to help get things juicy again.
7. After childbirth, your vagina needs a little time.
Most doctors recommend waiting at least six weeks to have sex after childbirth, but you may need more time. Childbirth is very taxing on the body, especially if you experienced any complications or tearing during the process. If you needed surgery to repair down there, your healthcare provider may suggest an appointment to ensure you’ve healed properly before getting busy again. To make post-baby sex less painful, we recommend easing into things, talking with your partner openly about how you’re feeling, and stocking up on a lot of CBD-infused lube.
Bonus Fact: The word “vagina” is derived from the Latin word for sheath or covering.
So all in all, the vagina is kind of amazing, right? For more sex ed, connect with us on social media and stay up on our latest blog posts.
ABOUT UPSTATE MARY
At Upstate Mary, we celebrate the power of plants and the beauty of self-care. Our Farm to Bedroom™ collection is designed to support pleasure and connection at every stage of life, whether you’re navigating menopause, postpartum, or simply exploring your sensuality. Formulated with organic botanicals and full-spectrum CBD, our intimacy oils and suppositories nurture your body without disrupting its natural balance.
Rediscover your pleasure with Upstate Mary.