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Vagina
The vagina
is the female internal sex organ that begins on the outside at the vaginal
opening and extends about three to five inches inside, ending at the cervix, or
neck of the uterus (womb). The vagina consists of three layers of tissue. The
mucosa is the layer on the surface that can be touched. It consists of mucous
membranes and is a surface similar to the lining of the mouth. Unlike the smooth
surface of the mouth lining, the vagina contains folds or wrinkles. The next
layer of tissue is a layer of muscle, concentrated mostly around the outer third
of the vagina. The third, innermost layer consists of fibrous tissue that
connects to other anatomical structures.
In the sexually unstimulated
state, the vagina is shaped like a flattened tube, the sides of which are
collapsed on each other. It is not a continually open space, or "hole"
as often thought by both women and men. It is a potential space. Because of its
muscular tissue, the vagina has the ability to expand and contract, like a
balloon, allowing a baby to pass through during childbirth, or adjusting to fit
snugly around a tampon, a finger or any size penis.
The internal walls of the vagina
itself do not have a great supply of nerve endings, thus are not very sensitive
to touch. The outer one-third of the vagina, especially near the opening,
contains nearly 90 percent of the vaginal nerve endings and therefore is much
more sensitive to touch than the inner two-thirds of the vaginal barrel.
During sexual excitement,
droplets of fluid appear along the vaginal walls and eventually cover the sides
of the vagina completely. The vaginal tissue does not contain any secretory
glands itself, but is loaded with blood vessels, which when engorged with blood
as a result of sexual arousal, press against the tissue, forcing natural tissue
fluids through the walls of the vagina. The fluid is not only a sign of sexual
arousal, but serves as a lubricant for intercourse if that is what is to follow.
Without this natural lubricant, or an artificial one, a woman would most likely
find penetration painful.
Sometimes the process of vaginal
expansion and lubrication does not occur exactly as described or exactly when a
woman would like. The causes of too little vaginal lubrication can be physical,
emotional, or some combination of the two. Physically, for example, it may be
the result of a hormonal deficiency, or an infection or cyst in the vagina.
Sometimes a woman who is using a birth control pill that is high in progesterone
can experience lessened vaginal lubrication. In other cases, emotional problems
in a relationship with a partner may be the reason behind too little vaginal
lubrication. In these situations, feelings may block natural physical responses.
This kind of experience is not unusual. Partners may be able to deal with the
situation on their own, or it may be helpful to discuss the problem with a
qualified therapist.
Vaginal lubrication typically
decreases as women age, but this is a natural physical change that does not
normally mean there is any physical or psychological problem. After menopause,
the body produces less estrogen, which, unless compensated for with estrogen
replacement therapy, causes the vaginal walls to thin out significantly. The
vagina also tends to become slightly shorter and narrower, and it takes longer
to produce even a reduced amount of lubrication. The vagina also loses its
ability to expand as easily during sexual excitation. A woman not using estrogen
replacement may use artificial lubricants, and engaging in longer periods of
foreplay may help post-menopausal women avoid pain with intercourse.
Sometimes after childbirth a
woman's vagina may lose some of its muscle tone, loosen a bit, and feel larger.
For some women this means that they may not feel the pleasure they once did from
their partner's penis making contact with the vaginal walls. The partner may
also notice that he is not held as tightly by the vagina. There are specific
exercises that women can do after childbirth to strengthen and tighten the
muscles around the vagina and improve the tone and feeling. These exercises,
called Kegel exercises after the physician who developed them, require the woman
to contract the muscles used to stop the flow of urine. The contraction is held
for 3-5 seconds, repeated ten times in a series, and the series is usually
repeated several times a day. These voluntary contractions can also be done
during intercourse, and some women and men find it sexually enhancing.
See also G-spot
.
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Sex
