Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunction and AnatomyRole in Sexual IntercourseThe Vagina During Your PeriodRole in ChildbirthChanges With AgeVaginal Self-ExamHow to Keep the Vagina HealthyConditions That Affect the Vagina
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function and Anatomy
Role in Sexual Intercourse
The Vagina During Your Period
Role in Childbirth
Changes With Age
Vaginal Self-Exam
How to Keep the Vagina Healthy
Conditions That Affect the Vagina
Each vagina looks slightly different with variations in size, shape, or color. For instance, your vagina can be an oval or round. However, these characteristics should not affect how the vagina functions.
The vagina is a muscular tube that provides the passageway from the outside of the body to theuterus(womb). On average, it measures 7 to 9 centimeters or 3 to 3.5 inches long.
The vagina can change in size to accommodate the main function of the vagina: sexual intercourse, reproduction, and childbirth.
peakSTOCK / Getty Images
Vagina Function and Anatomy
The vagina is a muscular canal made up of tissues, fibers, muscles, and nerves.
The color of the skin outside the vagina varies from pink to dark burgundy, based on your own skin color, and may change over time.
The general anatomy of the vagina includes the following parts:
The length or depth of the vagina can stretch to twice its normal size when you’re aroused.
The Vagina During Sexual Intercourse
During sexual arousal:
The vagina itself does not have many nerve endings which is why you may be unable to achieve orgasm from vaginal penetration alone. On the other hand, theclitorisis rich in nerves and can work in tandem with the vagina to achieve orgasm.
During your menstrual cycle, the mucous membrane thickens in response to hormonal fluctuations, and the mucus changes to help the egg and sperm fertilize.
The cervix also changes during the menstrual cycle. Before and after the fertile window, the cervix is low, has a firm texture, and the hole in the center of the cervix is closed.
During the fertile window, the hole in the cervix opens to facilitate the entrance of sperm into the uterus and has a softer texture.
If you don’t become pregnant, period blood will flow out of your body through the vagina during menstruation.
The Vagina During Childbirth
As delivery approaches:
After birth, it is normal for a person’s vagina to appear wider than it did pre-birth. It might also look and feel bruised or swollen and you may experience vaginal dryness if you’re breastfeeding. The swelling and openness usually subside in a few days.
However, some people continue to experience vaginal laxity—or a sensation of looseness of the vagina after a vaginal birth.Kegelexercises andpelvic floor exercisescan help strengthen vaginal muscles.
How the Vagina Changes With Age
With age, changing hormone levels cause changes to the vagina. As estrogen levels drop duringmenopause, many people experience dryness, drooping of the labia, decreased vaginal fluids and lubrication, and changes in the vagina’s pH level.
How to Do a Vaginal Self-Exam
Vaginal self-exams can be done to check for any changes in the vagina. Self-exams are helpful alongside regularpelvic examinationsandcervical screenings.
To do a vaginal self-exam:
Although some changes to the vagina can’t be prevented, there are things you can do to keep your vagina healthy.
The vagina can be at risk for infection and muscular or nerve conditions.
Vaginitis
Vaginitisis an infection or inflammation in the vagina that can cause itching, pain, burning, or unusual discharge. This condition can be infectious or non-infectious.
One-third of women have at least one form of vaginitis at some time during their lives. The most common types of vaginitis include:
Vaginismus
Vaginismusis involuntary contractions or spasms of the muscles surrounding the vagina. These muscle contractions make the vagina very narrow and can make medical exams and sexual activity painful or impossible.
There is no single cause, but several possible causes include:
Vaginal Atrophy
Vaginal atrophyis thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls that can occur when your body makes less estrogen. The vaginal walls become less elastic and more fragile.
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include:
Vaginal atrophy may occur:
Vaginal Prolapse
Vaginal prolapseoccurs when the top of the vagina sags and falls into the vaginal canal. In severe cases, the vaginal tissue can protrude outside of the body.
About one-third of women will experience some degree of prolapse during their lifetime. Women are at an increased risk of developing vaginal prolapse if they:
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Some STIs don’t cause any symptoms while others may cause symptoms such as:
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is rare. Only 1% to 2% of cancers in the female genital tract are from vaginal cancer. It occurs mainly in older women—the average age at the time of diagnosis is 67 years old.
Sometimes there are no obvious signs of vaginal cancer, however, symptoms may include:
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) causes two-thirds of the cases of vaginal cancer. When found early, vaginal cancer can often be cured.
Summary
The vagina is a muscular tube that can adjust in size and produce different types of vaginal discharge depending on its role. Your vagina’s anatomy allows it to have many functions. These include a role in sexual arousal and intercourse, reproduction, and childbirth.
The vagina changes during sexual intercourse, menstruation, childbirth, and with age.
You should see your healthcare provider if you experience unusual vaginal discharge (greenish, yellowish, thick, or cheesy); strong vaginal odor; pain when urinating or having sex; or itching, burning, or irritation of your vagina or urethra.
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Luo J, Betschart C, Ashton-Miller JA, DeLancey JO.Quantitative analyses of variability in normal vaginal shape and dimension on MR images.Int Urogynecol J. 2016;27(7):1087-1095. doi:10.1007/s00192-016-2949-0Boston University School of Medicine, Sexual Medicine: “Female Genital Anatomy"Women’s Health Arizona.Vulva & Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not.Planned Parenthood.What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?American Pregnancy Association.Uterus size during pregnancy.Planned Parenthood.I know a vagina can stretch in width, but can it stretch in depth?Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151–161. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259Merck Manual.Female reproductive endocrinology.Myers KM, Feltovich H, Mazza E, et al.The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy.J Biomech. 2015;48(9):1511–1523. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.065National Childbirth Trust.Your vagina and pelvic floor after giving birth.Polland A, Duong V, Furuya R, Fitzgerald JJ, Wang H, Iwamoto A, Bradley S, Iglesia CB.Description of Vaginal Laxity and Prolapse and Correlation With Sexual Function (DeVeLoPS). Sex Med. 2021 Dec;9(6):100443. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100443The Royal Women’s Hospital.How can I stay healthy down there?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginitis.Mt. Sinai Hospital.Vaginismus.Baylor Medicine.Vaginal atrophy.Medline Plus.Vaginal dryness.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginal prolapse.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Institutes of Health.What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?American Cancer Society.Key statistics for vaginal cancer.Cancer Council.Vaginal cancer.National Cancer Institute.Vaginal cancer.Additional ReadingSchuiling, K. and Likis, F. (2016)Women’s Gynecological Health (Third Ed.)Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1284076028.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Luo J, Betschart C, Ashton-Miller JA, DeLancey JO.Quantitative analyses of variability in normal vaginal shape and dimension on MR images.Int Urogynecol J. 2016;27(7):1087-1095. doi:10.1007/s00192-016-2949-0Boston University School of Medicine, Sexual Medicine: “Female Genital Anatomy"Women’s Health Arizona.Vulva & Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not.Planned Parenthood.What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?American Pregnancy Association.Uterus size during pregnancy.Planned Parenthood.I know a vagina can stretch in width, but can it stretch in depth?Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151–161. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259Merck Manual.Female reproductive endocrinology.Myers KM, Feltovich H, Mazza E, et al.The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy.J Biomech. 2015;48(9):1511–1523. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.065National Childbirth Trust.Your vagina and pelvic floor after giving birth.Polland A, Duong V, Furuya R, Fitzgerald JJ, Wang H, Iwamoto A, Bradley S, Iglesia CB.Description of Vaginal Laxity and Prolapse and Correlation With Sexual Function (DeVeLoPS). Sex Med. 2021 Dec;9(6):100443. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100443The Royal Women’s Hospital.How can I stay healthy down there?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginitis.Mt. Sinai Hospital.Vaginismus.Baylor Medicine.Vaginal atrophy.Medline Plus.Vaginal dryness.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginal prolapse.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Institutes of Health.What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?American Cancer Society.Key statistics for vaginal cancer.Cancer Council.Vaginal cancer.National Cancer Institute.Vaginal cancer.Additional ReadingSchuiling, K. and Likis, F. (2016)Women’s Gynecological Health (Third Ed.)Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1284076028.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Luo J, Betschart C, Ashton-Miller JA, DeLancey JO.Quantitative analyses of variability in normal vaginal shape and dimension on MR images.Int Urogynecol J. 2016;27(7):1087-1095. doi:10.1007/s00192-016-2949-0Boston University School of Medicine, Sexual Medicine: “Female Genital Anatomy"Women’s Health Arizona.Vulva & Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not.Planned Parenthood.What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?American Pregnancy Association.Uterus size during pregnancy.Planned Parenthood.I know a vagina can stretch in width, but can it stretch in depth?Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151–161. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259Merck Manual.Female reproductive endocrinology.Myers KM, Feltovich H, Mazza E, et al.The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy.J Biomech. 2015;48(9):1511–1523. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.065National Childbirth Trust.Your vagina and pelvic floor after giving birth.Polland A, Duong V, Furuya R, Fitzgerald JJ, Wang H, Iwamoto A, Bradley S, Iglesia CB.Description of Vaginal Laxity and Prolapse and Correlation With Sexual Function (DeVeLoPS). Sex Med. 2021 Dec;9(6):100443. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100443The Royal Women’s Hospital.How can I stay healthy down there?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginitis.Mt. Sinai Hospital.Vaginismus.Baylor Medicine.Vaginal atrophy.Medline Plus.Vaginal dryness.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginal prolapse.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Institutes of Health.What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?American Cancer Society.Key statistics for vaginal cancer.Cancer Council.Vaginal cancer.National Cancer Institute.Vaginal cancer.
Luo J, Betschart C, Ashton-Miller JA, DeLancey JO.Quantitative analyses of variability in normal vaginal shape and dimension on MR images.Int Urogynecol J. 2016;27(7):1087-1095. doi:10.1007/s00192-016-2949-0
Boston University School of Medicine, Sexual Medicine: “Female Genital Anatomy”
Women’s Health Arizona.Vulva & Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not.
Planned Parenthood.What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?
American Pregnancy Association.Uterus size during pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood.I know a vagina can stretch in width, but can it stretch in depth?
Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151–161. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259
Merck Manual.Female reproductive endocrinology.
Myers KM, Feltovich H, Mazza E, et al.The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy.J Biomech. 2015;48(9):1511–1523. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.065
National Childbirth Trust.Your vagina and pelvic floor after giving birth.
Polland A, Duong V, Furuya R, Fitzgerald JJ, Wang H, Iwamoto A, Bradley S, Iglesia CB.Description of Vaginal Laxity and Prolapse and Correlation With Sexual Function (DeVeLoPS). Sex Med. 2021 Dec;9(6):100443. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100443
The Royal Women’s Hospital.How can I stay healthy down there?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginitis.
Mt. Sinai Hospital.Vaginismus.
Baylor Medicine.Vaginal atrophy.
Medline Plus.Vaginal dryness.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vaginal prolapse.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
National Institutes of Health.What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for vaginal cancer.
Cancer Council.Vaginal cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Vaginal cancer.
Schuiling, K. and Likis, F. (2016)Women’s Gynecological Health (Third Ed.)Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1284076028.
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