Is there a way to view the vaginal canal directly?
Will using a tampon break my hymen?
Will rubbing the vagina cause injury?
Are there women with no vagina?
Do the vagina and other sex organs change in appearance as one grows older?
When should I start consulting a doctor regarding issues on having a child or having sex?
Is there a way to view the vaginal canal directly?
It’s pretty hard to say how the vagina really looks. Except for the pictures you see in magazines and textbooks, you wouldn’t really have a clue. It is described as a tube with pink walls and to view this, you may need the help of a skilled doctor. A pelvic examination is done to gain a good view of the vaginal canal. The doctor is able to do this by using a plastic or metal instrument to spread the vaginal walls. This may sound a little uncomfortable but the instrument is warmed and a gel is rubbed on it so it can be easily inserted. A more advanced way of looking into the vagina is through an ultrasound. The ultrasound is a machine that uses sound waves. These sound waves are interpreted by a computer to form images. You will be able to see any changes in the vagina and other structures near it using an ultrasound.
Will using a tampon break my hymen?
The hymen covers only part of the vaginal opening and usually has one or several holes in its center. When you insert a tampon, it passes through the opening in the hymen. The hymen stretches a bit when you do this and returns to its actual form when you remove the tampon. In most cases, the hymen doesn’t really break but in some girls, the hymen may not readily stretch. When this happens, the hymen can be torn or you may have difficulty inserting the tampon. The hymen may also be torn by sexual intercourse, horseback riding and cycling. Exercises that require too much flexibility like doing splits for instance can also break the hymen.
You can apply a water-based lubricant such as KY jelly on the tampon so it may be inserted easily. The package of your tampons would also have a good set of instructions to guide you when applying the tampons. It may take some practice to insert a tampon but if you have difficulty in inserting the tampon then do not insist in using one. Though not very common, some girls have very rigid and thick hymens that make tampon insertion difficult.
Will rubbing the vagina cause injury?
The vagina is lined with a thin film or membrane. This covering lacks the thickness usually associated with skin. Rubbing the vagina without placing gel or proper lubrication may tear this thin covering and cause injury. This usually causes soreness and redness in the area. When this happens, it can feel like a burning or hot sensation when you wash the area. A break in this covering may also cause infections.
Are there women with no vagina?
There are babies born without a vagina. The vagina forms during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Genes and hormones influence the formation of the vagina. Genes influence everything about us and this includes the color of our skin and how we behave. We get our genes from our parents. When something goes wrong with these genes, some abnormalities may occur in our bodies. In some cases, the use of harmful drugs and exposure to certain chemicals may disrupt the genes and cause some parts of it to change. These changes are called mutations. Mutations are not always harmful but in some cases they may manifest as abnormalities in the body. The absence of a vagina in women is not normal. Children born without a vagina may also have other defects in their bodies.
Do the vagina and other sex organs change in appearance as one grows older?
Eventually, the vagina and other sex organs do change in appearance just like the other structures in the body. When you grow older, the ovaries eventually stop producing female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is responsible for giving women the curves that they have. It also makes the skin feel nice and soft. The bones as well as blood vessels are also influenced by estrogen. The ovaries and other sex organs such as the uterus and the vagina are dependent on estrogen. When the ovaries stop producing estrogen, the vagina becomes dry and shrinks. During this time, the uterus also decreases in size. This happens when a woman reaches 40 to 50 years old. When this happens, she will be told that she is undergoing menopause. Because your body stops producing the sex hormones, the ovaries also stop functioning. Egg cells are no longer released by the ovaries each month and the woman stops menstruating.
When should I start consulting a doctor regarding issues on having a child or having sex?
As you grow older, you make certain decisions for yourself. You may start deciding for things in your life without consulting those close to you. When you decide to be sexually active or have started becoming sexually active, it is wise to ask advice from mature and reliable family members, teachers or relatives. You will need their guidance and support as you begin to discover yourself sexually.
An OB/GYNE is a doctor that focuses on women’s health. They can help you with problems that come with pregnancy and childbirth. You may start consulting an OB/GYNE when you have started becoming sexually active. For women who have not had previous sexual activity but have started experiencing vaginal dryness, itchiness, menstrual irregularities or even lower abdominal pain, then consulting an OB/GYNE will be able to help.
