Sex and the Vagina

Sex and the Vagina

Vagina and Sex Facts

• The vagina is a space surrounded by walls. Normally, these walls collapse together and create only a potential space. This space can stretch and expand during sexual intercourse. At the end of sexual intercourse, the walls may collapse once more. Some women may complain that they feel “tight” again after refraining from sexual intercourse for a while.
• The hundreds of nerve endings present in the vagina make sensation possible. The main tissue of sexual sensation is the clitoris which is the knoblike structure found in the upper portion of the vulva. It is very sensitive to touch and stimulation.
• The vagina is usually moist due to the discharge that passes through the cervix into the vaginal canal. During sexual excitement, the blood flow to the vagina increases. A sensation of fullness may be felt in the vaginal area. This is due to the congestion or pooling of blood in the area. The congestion causes fluid to be forced through the vaginal walls. Small structures located in the vaginal opening also release a thick discharge that prepares the vagina for sexual intercourse. The fluid and the discharge from these structures make the vagina moist and prevent any pain or injury during sexual activity.

The hymen is your vaginal membrane. In novels, they call this the maidenhead or the "virginal membrane". It is present when you were born and it covers a part of the vaginal opening. Picture the hymen as a thin plastic wrap that covers the mouth of a mug only a little bit. A hole is usually present in the center. Not very common is the hymen totally covering the vaginal opening. This may require a doctor to slice a tiny slit or hole across the hymen to let menstrual blood pass through. Usually, hymen can stretch readily. An unbroken hymen has been associated with virginity. During the first sexual intercourse, the hymen may be torn and this can cause bleeding and pain.

In some women the hymen is more elastic and does not break but rather stretches only during intercourse. In such cases, the hymen remains intact even if sexual intercourse has taken place. Think of the hymen as a ring that can stretch at a certain degree but may still be fragile enough to break when doing exercises such as biking and doing splits. Young women may be anxious about breaking their hymens and losing their virginity in the process even without sexual intercourse. This should not stop you from being an outgoing and fun loving person. Continue to exercise and stay active. Enjoy!