As a gynecologist, at least once a day I have a patient ask me something about their vagina that turns out to be totally normal — normal folds, normal discharge and even normal smells. It seems even for women, the vagina is an organ cloaked in mystery. And perhaps that is because our mothers and their mothers and even their mothers before them failed to pass down key knowledge about our resilient canals. These are just five of the things your mother likely didn’t tell you about your vagina.
1. The vagina is not what you see on the outside. No, that hairy (or hairless — however, you choose to wear yours) patch you see in the mirror with its pendulous drapery is NOT your vagina. Externally, what we see are the mons and vulva. The vagina instead is the soft, elastic canal connecting the uterus to the outside world.
So why then do we call everything we see the vagina? Unlike men, who can easily identify their penises from their scrotums; we, as women, have far too often relegated our entire female genitalia to one word rather than appreciating each delicate component. So, pull out a mirror and become acquainted with your beautiful genitalia — just like fingerprints, no two are exactly alike!
2. The vagina is a self-cleaning oven. Many of us watched our mothers grab that plastic bulb from under the sink as we were shooed out of the bathroom a few times a month to do a ritual we only assumed we would someday be introduced to. Douching was something rarely spoken of but that we somehow knew led to refreshing strolls through fields of flowers — or at least that’s what the Summer’s Eve commercial said. Vaginal douching has been around since ancient times. Initially promoted as a contraceptive and then when that fell from favor brands such as Lysol (yes! you read that right) began promoting douches for cleansing and refreshing the vagina.
But the vagina is a self-cleaning oven. Douches, shampoos and steams aren’t necessary to keep them clean. In fact, such practices can disrupt the normal vaginal flora leading to an increased risk for vaginal and sexually transmitted infections. So until men start hanging their balls over expensive steam baths to freshen them up for you, embrace your vagina and all she does for you!
3. A slightly sour or tangy scent is a sign of a healthy vaginal. While many feminine products are marketed to make your nether regions smell like roses or a fruit orchard, this actually not the smell of a healthy vagina. Good bacteria in the vagina produces lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide warding off harmful bacteria and producing a mild scent that many describe as slightly sour or tangy.
Many feminine products marketed to freshen the vagina can actually disrupt the healthy vaginal flora resulting in infections and foul odors. A fishy odor can be suggestive of bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, the smell of rotting flesh can indicate a forgotten tampon and a chemical odor at times results from leaking urine. Your diet may also impact the smell of your vagina, but if you’re noticing a strong or foul vaginal odor, be sure to see your gynecologist so they can evaluate and treat you appropriately.
4. Your diet will affect the taste of your vagina. Imagining my conservative mother talk about the taste of her own vagina, let alone mine, makes me clutch my pearls. However, since more than 75% of us are going down, it’s about time we talked about what’s on the menu. A healthy vagina does not taste like a Japanese Cherry Blossom or Sweet Pea. No, a healthy vagina tastes like a vagina in all of its sweet, yet sour and acidic glory. So, can you change the taste of your vagina by eating pineapples and oranges? Yes and no. What you eat for dinner certainly can affect the taste of your vagina, particularly if it’s something that changes the smell of your sweat and/or urine. However, the change will be subtle. So, don’t expect your partner to be tasting a ripe pineapple; instead they will be tasting a ripe vagina and who’s to say that’s not even better?
5. Vaginal discharge is normal. A few years ago, there was a “Panty Challenge” on social media where women were posting photos of their dry panties to show they didn’t have discharge. I must admit, as a gynecologist, I was saddened by all the dry, wilted vaginas that seemed to be out there. But, as a woman, I was even more saddened that once again we were vilifying a natural and normal part of the female body — vaginal discharge.
Normal vaginal discharge changes throughout a woman’s cycle and can range from thin and clear to white and creamy. In fact, the consistency can range from thin and gel-like to thick and sticky. The color can also vary from clear to slightly yellow. All of which are signs of a normal, healthy vagina.
If you are experiencing vaginal discharge that is gray, yellow, green or red (outside of menses), you may be experiencing an infection and should follow-up with your Ob/Gyn.
Let’s empower the next generation of women and girls by unleashing the truth and releasing the taboo associated with our vaginas!