Vaginas are designed to help us have and enjoy sex, have periods and have babies. But what’s normal and what’s not? Find out how vaginas
can be different.
Dr Suzy Elneil, consultant in urogynaecology and
uro-neurology at University College Hospital, London, has worked with a
lot of women. “Like people, vaginas are completely individual,” she
says. “No two are the same.”
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else – what someone else’s vagina
looks like is normal for them, but won’t necessarily be what’s normal
for you. Yours is unique.
The vagina and vulva
Some of a woman’s sexual organs are inside the body (such as the
womb, ovaries and vagina) and some are outside. The external organs are
known as the vulva. This includes the opening of the vagina, the inner
and outer lips (labia) and the clitoris, which is located at the top of
the vagina.
The vagina is a tube about 8cm (3in) long, which leads from the
cervix (the neck of the womb) down to the vulva, where it opens between
the legs. The vagina is very elastic so it can easily stretch around a
man’s penis or around a baby during labour.
“Vaginas vary in shape, size and colour,” says Dr Elneil. “Some are
small and ovoid (egg-shaped), some are large and cylindrical, and the
colours can vary from light pink to a deep brownish red-pink. But all
are normal and very individual. The important thing is that the vagina
functions normally.”
Pelvic floor exercises can help keep your vagina in shape. “These are
good for maintaining good pelvic floor tone and can improve sexual
function,” she adds. “Normal exercise also helps maintain good vaginal
function, as walking and running helps the pelvic floor tone up and
helps ensure good general health.” Find out about pelvic floor exercises, including how to do them.
Should I worry about the size of my labia?
Some women worry about the size of their labia (the lips outside the
vagina), but there isn’t usually any cause for concern. Labia vary from
woman to woman, so don’t judge yours by anyone else’s standards.
“Large labia are only a medical problem if it affects the woman’s
working, social or sporting life,” explains Dr Elneil. “Size is really
not a problem per se, for most women. However, for cyclists, the length
and size of the labia can affect their ability to sit comfortably on the
seat, but this is a rare problem.”
If you're worried, talk to your GP.
Vaginal discharge
It’s
normal to have vaginal discharge (mucus or secretions), and the texture
and amount of discharge can vary throughout your menstrual cycle.
If your normal vaginal discharge becomes different, for example if it
changes colour or smells, this could be a sign of infection so see your
GP.
Vaginal itching
A healthy vagina shouldn’t be itchy. Itching can be a sign of thrush or other infection, but it can also have other causes.
“Itching can be part of a generalised skin problem, such as eczema,”
Dr Elneil says. “Or it can be a sign of benign or malignant (cancerous)
changes to the skin, such as lichen sclerosus or vaginal
intra-epithelial neoplasia. All need treatment, so if the itch persists
for more than a month, get it checked by a GP or gynaecologist. They
need to see the vulva, perineum (between the vagina and anus) and the
vagina directly.”
Further information
Changes to the vagina after childbirth
Periods: do I need a doctor?
Do I need a cervical screening test if I'm not sexually active?