1. Vulva Variety

The first of the things you should know about your vagina is that there is no right or wrong ‘look.’ The vulva are the outer lips of your vaginal area and every woman’s vulva is different. You might have plump, curvy vulva or thin, elegant vulva. Embrace your shape – all vulva are beautiful and unless you are in discomfort or a porn star, there‘s no reason to consider labiaplasty (vaginal rejuvenation surgery).

2. Pee is for Penis

Men urinate through their penis. However, women do not pee through their vagina. Your bladder empties through the urethral opening, which is under the clitoris and above the vaginal opening.

3. Clots Are Normal

Menstrual blood can sometimes be a bit freaky as it doesn’t flow like blood from elsewhere in the body. This is because the ‘blood’ is actually uterine lining. The womb lining is rich with blood in readiness to make a safe and healthy home for a fetus, so clotted blood is normal during your period. You need not be concerned unless the clots are large, heavy and bleeding is prolonged.

4. Discharge is Normal Too

Another of the things to know about vaginas is that discharge is completely natural, but there’s also no need to be concerned if you don’t have any. The amount of discharge varies greatly from woman to woman and also varies at different times during the menstrual cycle. If, however, you have itching, burning and odor together with discharge, it is best to seek medical attention.

5. Dead End

Your vagina is a two way street but it is a cul-de-sac. The vagina leads to the womb and nowhere else. Anything entering your vagina cannot access anywhere else in your body. If you have lost something in your vagina you can retrieve it but never use any kind of tool. And always, always remember to take out the last tampon of your period, otherwise you put yourself at great risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome - check out info on TSS here: nhs.uk.

6. Fall out

One of the facts about vaginas you may not know is that it can “fall out.” In what is known as a pelvic prolapse, your vagina can turn inside out and hang between your legs. But no need to fret – it can be corrected.

7. Like a Virgin

Sorry girls, but once it’s gone, it stays gone. Losing your virginity is a one-time only offer. Losing your virginity refers to the breaking of the hymen, a membrane that partially closes the vagina – and yes, it can be broken by things other than penile penetration, but you remain a virgin until your first act of sexual intercourse.

8. Musclebound

Your vagina is a muscle and contracts and stretches just like other muscles do. And just like other muscles, if you don’t use them, you lose them. Regular sex is enough of a workout, but post-menopause, the fragile vaginal tissue is prone to scarring and shrinking, so if you’re a lady of a certain age and don’t have a partner for a prolonged period of time, it is best to invest in a battery-operated boyfriend.

9. Wow- Stretchy

While on the subject of muscles, the vagina muscle is incredibly stretchy for birthing. This can leave you feeling loose. If your vagina isn’t as tight as you like, or is suffering from being a bit goosey loosey after you’ve had kids, vaginal exercises can do wonders. Known as Kegel exercises, get to work by contracting and relaxing 10 times for 3 sets a few times a day. If you’re not sure, try to stop the flow of urine when you pee – that will demonstrate exactly what you need to be doing.

10. To Douche or Not to Douche?

There is no need to douche. Another of the things to know about your vagina is that it has a signature smell that is unique to you. Why would you want to mask that smell with douches that smell like rose petals or the ocean? If you are douching because you have a particularly strong odor and it is accompanied by discharge, it could be the sign of an infection, so instead of reaching for a douche spray, seek medical advice.

11. Lubrication

You are not abnormal if you need to use lubricant during sex and many women experience this as they age. A dry vagina can make sex uncomfortable and a real turn off. There are plenty of lubricants – synthetics like KY Jelly or natural ones like Astroglide, which is made from coconut oil. Turn your dry problem into fun by using flavored lubes.

12. Ouch

You should not feel pain when you have sex. One of the obvious facts about your vagina is that it is specifically designed for sex. That is its function. Don’t put up with painful sex and do not suffer in silence – see your gynecologist or MD.

13. Ejaculation

One of the controversial facts about vaginas is female ejaculation. Yes, females ejaculate. And again, it doesn’t make you abnormal if you don’t or haven’t yet. There are two explanations of female ejaculation. If your ejaculation is a small amount and of a milky consistency, it is likely a discharge from the paraurethral glands in response to orgasm. If it is a decent amount it is more likely to be urine caused by contractions of the bladder. In many cases it is a combination of both.

14. Orgasms

Not every woman experiences orgasm and few attain it purely from penetration. Orgasm is usually generated by clitoral stimulation either with the fingers or finding the perfect position during penetration. The reason the rabbit vibrator is so successful is because it provides the perfect combination of penetration and clitoral stimulation at the same time.

15. G-Spot

One of the things you should know about your vagina is, although you have a G-Spot, it isn’t always easy to find. Many women spend their sexual lives searching for that elusive sweet spot that is meant to be the key to orgasm. Apparently, the best way to find it is stimulate the front wall of your vagina using come hither motion with your finger. But, if you can’t locate it, it won’t stop you having great sex.

16. Embarrassing Noises

This is one of these unforgiving facts about vaginas. Vaginal farts (aka varts) are normal, healthy and absolutely nothing to worry about – albeit they can be somewhat embarrassing.

17. STIs

Your vagina is precious and you should treat it with respect. Did you know that you can catch sexually transmitted diseases and infections even if you use condoms? During sex, the vulva are exposed to and come into contact with the genital area and scrotum, which may be infected with herpes, genital warts, chlamydia or worse. Rule – choose your partners carefully and seek medical help at the very first sign of any symptoms of an STI.

18. Sex is Healthy

Safe sex is good for you. Sex can put a smile on your face but it can also reduce your risk of heart disease, bolster your immune system, reduce your risk of breast cancer, improve your fitness, help you sleep, lower stress levels, make you appear more youthful and improve your self esteem.

19. Fashion Accessory

Although the vagina is not usually a topic of conversation and is still kept private and under wraps, it has in more recent times become a part of the body where appearance is now more considered. There’s a multitude of choices if you want to “decorate” your vagina – waxing, piercing, tattooing, and shaving. Your choice!

20. Smear Test

The last of the things you should know about your vagina that I want to share with you is about Pap smear tests. Grit your teeth and bear with because it’s important as it tests for cervical cancer. However, bear in mind that what it doesn’t test for is ovarian cancer, uterine cancer or any non-vaginal but connected areas.

21. It Gets Wrinkles Too

As we age, our face isn't the only thing that does. Our vaginas can develop wrinkles especially as we near age 45 or 50. This happens simply because our skin loses muscle tone and the labia changes in appearance. It becomes less plump, because less estrogen is being produced in the body. The labia are the fatty pads of the vagina that house collagen. Collagen is the fibers of the skin that show wrinkles, or help us look youthful. When estrogen decreases, collagen production dissipates, which leads to wrinkles.

22. It Can Change Colors

Again, our face isn't the only thing that ages with time. Just like we develop age spots, so does our vagina. The skin of the vulva lighten or darken in color. It's nothing to be afraid of, and most likely, the change is hardly noticeable.

23. G-spot or C-Spot

The G-spot of the vagina is often discussed as being the spot that causes a woman to orgasm. Men see it as their mission to help find a woman's G-spot during intercourse, and most women are familiar with their own. Yet, what neither most men or women know, is that although the G-spot is real, it is actually just the clitoris of the vagina and really not some secret hidden part that exists on its own. I guess we should possibly start calling it the C-spot?

I hope you’ve found these facts about vaginas educational. Do you have any others you'd like to share, or any questions?

Sources: womansday.com, alternet.org