Most young or teenage girls are unaware or still learning about their bodies and how they work; the same is true with vaginas. So, here is the list of 5 things you might not know about your vagina.

1. What you usually refer to as the vagina is actually the labia

People usually refer to the labia as the vagina, which is harmless, but this is just inaccurate and we are simply going technical here. With that said, the vagina does not equal the penis. If people refer to the penis as the visible part of the male reproductive system, the labia is the immediate part of the entire vagina which can be seen.

The outer lips of the vulva are what's called the labia. Meanwhile, the vagina itself starts from within the inner lips of the vulva. So, technically speaking, unless you open up and peek inside through a mirror, the vagina is not always readily visible. Your guy probably has seen your vagina more than you have ever done so—provided he goes down on you regularly!

Also, this topic has been addressed in the article published by Cleveland Clinic, where the distinction between "vaginas" and "vulvas" is often a source of confusion. It is crucial to understand that your vagina and vulva are separate and distinct parts of your anatomy. The vagina is a canal-like organ located inside your body, which opens externally. Its primary function is to serve as a powerful passageway, connecting your uterus (situated inside your body) to the vulva. The vulva, on the other hand, comprises your external reproductive organs or genitals.

The technical misconception is similar to the male testicles. What they call the testes are actually inside the sack of skin that houses the ‘balls’.

2. The vagina has its own natural protective system

The vagina doesn't actually need much cleaning. We know that sounds weird, but hang on. The vagina is a very complex system that has its own very smart cleaning and protective systems. First of all, you should know that the vagina is a very acidic environment. This is done for two great purposes: first is to kill off bacteria so they don't easily develop and spread, and second is to kill off sperm cells that are not the best of the best (to ensure normal and healthy growth of a foetus!)

As such, this natural acidity is not supposed to be entirely cleansed away every single day. It has been suggested that it is best to cleanse the inner part of the vagina with just warm water (every day!), and only use soap on the outer part, which is the labia. The outer skins are safe to soap, generally. Don’t forget to properly soap your crotch as well.

In their comprehensive discussion, MDPI explored the vaginal defensive mechanism, emphasizing the essential contributions of both the microbiota and the host in safeguarding against pathogens. The vaginal mucosa acts as the primary line of defense for the host, functioning as a physical, chemical, and immunological barrier, effectively warding off potential external pathogens.

Another vital component of this defense system is Defensins, a class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) secreted in the vagina. These peptides employ various mechanisms of action to combat pathogens, directly killing them and inhibiting bacterial toxins. Notably, they demonstrate effectiveness against formidable pathogens like HIV and HPV.

3. The female urethra is much shorter than the male urethra

The urethra is the tiny pipe (or rather, tube) that connects your urinary bladder to the urinary meatus, which means this is the pipe through which your pee gets released. In the female anatomy, the urethra is much shorter because the opening, which is the vagina, is readily open at the base of the pelvis. Meanwhile, in the male anatomy, the urethra is significantly longer because their opening is located at the tip of the penis head.

As per the National Institute of Cancer, the female urethra is relatively short, measuring only 3 to 4 cm (approximately 1.5 inches) in length. Its external urethral orifice opens just anterior to the vaginal opening. On the other hand, in males, the urethra is considerably longer, spanning about 20 cm (7 to 8 inches), and serves as a passage for both urine and semen.

What you need to know with this anatomical difference, is that the female reproductive system is much more prone to infection than the male counterpart because bacteria have an easier time to travel up within the short passage of the urethra. Thank god the vagina is naturally that acidic as a layer of extra protection! So, don’t be soaping the vagina too often if you want to prevent easy development of yeast.

4. That thing can take a pounding

Surely you have heard both females and males talk about ‘growing some balls’ as a metaphor for developing and embracing a strong will or bravery. But that expression really is very funny when you understand the difference between the labia and the testicles. First off, really those dangling balls are so weak and frail. So much so that they are exactly what would ‘kill’ a man. Right?

So, why would you grow some balls if you want to be strong? Grow some labia if you want to be strong because that thing can take a pounding! The outer lips of the vagina are very strong and stable and you see no matter how hard a guy pounds at you, you will still be okay. Now that’s strength!

So, next time a guy acts immature and talks big about growing some balls, maybe you could school him a little bit for some reality check.

5. The female’s clitoris is the equivalent of the male’s penis

Do you know anything about how they say all men were once females? Yep, that’s true. In fact, all foetuses start off with being female. Then, with the inclusion of the Y chromosome to the existing X chromosome, the XY chromosome produces a male.

We suspect the penis actually grew from what would have been the clitoris had the foetus remained female, although there is no scientific evidence for this. BUT! The interesting part is that these two sex organs have very similar nerve patterns. This is why the clitoral stimulation feels that much better for females, because it is the equivalent of guys pleasing themselves with the penis.

With that said, this is why female genital mutilation is NOT okay. Because removing a female's clitoris is not the same as removing an extra layer of skin on the tip of the penis head. Removing the clitoris is equivalent to removing a male's entire phallus! And that is very, very cruel and wrong.

In the end, the vagina is an interesting anatomical part of the female body that fascinates men and women. However, these five things are rarely discussed, and most women are unaware of them and their association with their vaginas.

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What Makes A Woman Bad At Sex?

Much has been said about men and their inadequacies in bed. Sometimes, they even bear a burden that isn't theirs to carry. So, how can women be bad at sex?

First, women think that males should be initiators of sex. It comes as a surprise when men want to be pursued. But everybody wants to feel wanted, especially when in a relationship. There is also the notion that when you initiate sex, the man will view differently-maybe negatively. However, those ideas are archaic, and it is time you showed your enthusiasm from time to time.

When women assume that men want sex all the time, it becomes a burden to a man. Like with women, all men are not the same. In the early 20s, they may be ready whenever you want it, but with age, life struggles wear men down the same way it does to women. So, he may not be up to the task after working 20 hours straight.

Guide your man on what makes you aroused and satisfied. Most of the time, men don't pay close attention to their sexual reactions. Assuming that you have a psychic boyfriend, then complaining about his skills afterward is a mood killer. Gently communicate with them (even one-night stands), and you will have your climax.

Women may seem bad at sex when they think that every man is in it for the sex. Some men want deeper emotional bonds and take sex very seriously. A survey showed that about half the men seeking casual sex want a relationship (of course, male machismo doesn't allow them to say it out loud). But stats from dating sites show about 33% of casual date seekers end up in a relationship.

Also, don't keep worrying about your self-image. After all, he is there with you, isn't he? Worrying about your flabby parts, stomach or breasts kills the energy. With your mind elsewhere, you can't concentrate on pleasing your partner or yourself. Get your mind and focus on the immediate pleasures with reckless abandon. You shall worry later.

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If Every Time It s Painful To Have Sex With Him

For the first time, and possibly for a few more, it’s understood that having sex can be a little painful. After all, losing virginity can’t usually be that painless for girls. However, if it’s every time a painful experience to have sex with him, it can be a sign of concern.

At times, girls send queries to experts as for why they have always been feeling the pain while making love with their partners. They request for some suggestions on making it at least a painless experience, if not pleasurable. Here are a few.

Try Using More And More Of Lubricant

Of course, vaginas are accommodating, and can always adjust with the size of the penis in it. However, at times there can be issues if your partner is too large. It means your system isn’t that compatible with your partner’s tool. Now, that doesn’t mean you need to stop having sex, from now onwards due to this reason. Instead, you have a very effective solution to this issue.

1 Foreplay Tip To Blow His Mind The Neck and Chest Dip The entire area where the dip of the neck meets the chest of your man is considered to be an erogenous one. This includes his jawline, lower neck portion, and his shoulders. But there is one area in particular which can leave a lasting Goosebumps effect; it is the position where the collarbone is connected to the neck. Leah Millheiser, MD, at Stanford Medical Center, believes that it is an indentation in between the collarbone and neck. He stresses the fact that the sensations seem to be stronger in this specific area as the fat tissue composition is less than it is in the other parts, hence producing a more enhanced feeling. Use this area to kiss and lick and stimulate pleasure for your man. Talk about science rocking our beds for us. As we grow into our adult life, we believe that we’ve explored it all. But once a genius said what we know is a drop and what we don’t know is an ocean. This is true for this tip and many more that we still have to learn!

Today, numerous water based and oil based lubricants are available in the market. You need to try those, in ample amount. Just use it on your partner’s tool before he gets inside you. If it’s painful to even now, try putting some more of that gel. Soon, you would find that it’s much smoother and pleasurable now. C’mon, it’s the first time you can ask him for more and more thrusts.

Change Your Position

Now, that completely depends on your personal choice and your compatibility. Every couple has its own choice of sexual positions, in which they are most comfortable. Try figuring out the one for you, there are many poses to try. As a matter of fact, there are actually a few sexual positions that are advised to guys with bigger tools, so that they don’t hurt their girls. Try doing a little online research for the same, and to experiment with those. Soon, you both would end up with one that would be much more pleasurable without any pain.

Paying A Visit To Your Doctor

Although not so common, yes in many cases the only reason behind painful sex can be any kind of physical issue or a vaginal infection. Hence, if in case you aren’t able to figure out the reason as to why sex is painful for you every time, it’s advisable to pay a visit to the doctor today.

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and many other such sexually transmitted diseases and infections can lead to vaginal odor, discharge, and painful sex. Besides, if these are left untreated, chances are high that the situation is going to worsen with every passing day. At times, out of shyness or discomfort, girls hesitate to visit a doctor for such reasons. They think it will automatically be resolved with time. However, that can be a regrettable mistake in the end. One needs to understand that for gynecologists and other such experts these are quite common things. Hence, they needn’t hesitate to discuss these with them.