It has more nicknames than possibly any
other female bodypart (sideways smile,
anyone?), its own doctor, and the ability to
bring you tons of pleasure — not to mention
pain,particularly if you plan to have a
baby. Yet the vagina remains a mystery to
many. In fact, a Cosmo poll found that more
than 60 percent of women say they don't
know a lot about their vadge — which is
unfortunate, because a new study reports
that chicks who feel confident about
their down-there area have more orgasms.
So i've put together a list of 15 bits of info
to boost your V-zone comfort level.These
are the crucial facts about how it functions,
keepingit healthy, and increasing the
amount of bliss it brings you.

1. It's just one part of your down-
there region

Most of us use the word vagina to refer to
our private parts. But technically, the
term describes only the narrow canal that
runsi nside your body from the vulva (the
visible area that includes the inner and outer
labia,clitoris, and perineum)to the cervix
(the lower portion of the uterus).

2. Vaginas generally look alike

...On the inside, that is.What does vary is
the vulva. The clitoris rangesfrom 1 to 1¼
inches(including the hood), the outer labia
can be barely there or a few incheslong, and
the inner labia,which are reminiscent
of butterfly wings, might be hidden or hang
past the outer lips. Most women's labia aren't
perfectly symmetrical — one side is
usually bigger than the other.

3. The surrounding area often can
be different colors

The shade of your southern region isn't
necessarily related to the tone ofthe rest of
your skin.Many light-skinned women have
brown orpurplish labia, while a darker-hued
chick can have a lighter vulva. You also can
have different colors in different areas — for
example, your labia could be on the
darkerside yet your perineumcould be pale
pink.

4. Its walls are pleated

Usually, the walls of thevagina lie
compressedagainst each other. Butwhen
they need to open—to accommodate a
tamponor penis—the sides separateand
widen, kind oflike the way an
umbrellaopens or a pleated skirtunfolds.
The vagina typically swells from half aninch
wide to 2 inches wide. And it can get
even bigger — after all, a baby might have to
pass through it!

5. Relax — a well-hung guy
won't stretch it out...

As explained above, the vagina is incredibly
elastic and can fit a supersizepenis — yet it
always returns to its usual tightness after
sex. But it might be a different story onceyou
pop out a baby, assome moms say they
dofeel looser. You can tightenup by doing
certain exercises(see number 7).

6. ...Nor will it"revirginize" if you
go througha long dry spell

There's a rumor out therethat if you find
yourself in a no-booty bout, your vagina will
become so tight that getting back in the
saddle will hurt. It's totally untrue. While
your vaginal muscles may be tense at first,
penetration shouldn't be painful at all.

7. It benefits from regular exercise

Just as working yourbiceps firms up
yourarms, working your
pubococcygeusmuscle — amain muscle of
yourpubic region — can toneup your vadge.
Besidesgiving you a tighter gripduring sex,
it also maymake it easier to climax.Here's
how to exerciseyour V: Clamp down as
ifyou're stopping yoururine flow, hold for
10seconds, then release. Do2 sets of 10 to 20
a day;you'll notice a differenc ein about a
month.

8. It's teeming with bacteria

Don't get grossed out — they're the kind that
keep bad micro organisms in check so you
don't get an infection. One of thegood
bacteria is lactobacilli,also found in
yogurt.In fact, some gynos sayyou can help
cure a yeastinfection by inserting
a tablespoon of plain yogurt with live
cultures intoyour vadge (put some ona
tampon, and push it in).

9. It's self-cleaning

No need to douche orwash the inside —
your vagina cleans itself withdischarge (yep,
that stuff has a function). Thesecretions
flush out cellsfrom the vaginal wall,excess
water, and bacteria.The only washing it
needsis on the outside betweenthe labial
folds andalong the perineum(use a mild,
scent freesoap).

10. The hair around it isn't necessary

Back in caveman times, pubes shielded the
vagina from bacteria and trappedodor to
attract men.Today, we have clothes
toprotect us. And as for attracting a guy
with yourhairy crotch, the oppositemay be
true: Some guys are turned on by seeing a
woman's bare V.

11. Its smell gets stronger during
your cycle

Speaking of scent, everyvagina has one. It
tends tobe acidic before yourperiod and
pungent afterward.Your scent also maybe
more noticeable post-workout,because
ofsweat glands, and duringsex, thanks to the
naturallubrication you produce.

12. Getting it on does it good...

Part of the reason sexfeels so amazing: Hoo-
hastimulation, whether ornot you reach an
O,releases feel-good hormones.Some gynos
alsosay that having an orgasmeases cramps
— an awesomereason to hit thesheets with
your guy orhave solo sex when youhave
your period.

13. ...But too much sex can throw
it out of whack

While regular action canrelax you, too
much ina short period of time mayleave
you chafed orinflamed down south orwith a
urinary-tract infection.You're more likelyto
get a UTI if you do it ontop or in
missionary, since your guy's penis is
supercloseto your urethra andcan push
harmful bacteriain it. No need to give
upthese poses though;peeing post-sex can
keep a UTI at bay.

14. Discharge changes throughout
your cycle

Your vadge producesmore discharge — up to
2teaspoons a day — duringovulation; it
tends to bethinner and clearer at thistime.
Before your flow, it'screamier and thicker.
If itever itches, burns, stinks,or looks like
cottagecheese, see your gyno.

15. Things can't get lost up there

Your vagina is not a blackhole. It's
impossible foranything (like a tampon)to
escape into youruterus — the cervix
blocksoff access. But a tamponcan slip out
of reach. Ifone does, fish it out
whilesquatting and bearingdown. If that
doesn't work,make an appointmentwith
your gyno, who will pluck out the
tamponquickly and painlessly.Note: Steer
clear of puttingfood, even chocolatesyrup or
whipped cream,up there. The sugar canlead
to an infection.



Source-Cosmopolitan