Kitten. Penis fly trap. Flower. Lady garden. Muffin. Whispering eye. Hoo hoo. Vajayjay. Love tunnel. Honey pot. Girly bits. Bajingo. Downstairs. Doo dah.

Of course, these are just some of the nicknames for the vagina. Some are funny. Some are clever. Some are scary. Some are never. (We all know what those are.)

But, hey, call your vagina what you will. After all, it’s yours to name. Just don’t call it a vulva.

Why not?

Keep reading to learn some wonderful, wild, and weird things about your vagina you might not know, starting with this one…

The vagina is not just the vulva

The vagina is a stretchy, muscular canal that connects the uterus and cervix (the lower part of the uterus) to the outside the body and allows for menstruation, intercourse, and childbirth.

Vulva is a catch-all term for the external genitalia and includes bodily structures like the mons pubis, clitoris, labia majora (outer labia), labia minora (inner labia), urethral opening, and vaginal opening.

Calling your vagina a vulva is less vulgar than referring to it as a furry animal that chews wood and builds dams in streams (beaver, in case you were curious), but knowing your anatomy can be empowering.

It's also useful, especially when communicating with your partner about sexual pain and pleasure points or describing a medical symptom to your healthcare provider.

Venus Envy

Normally, the vagina ranges between 2-5 inches long with the average depth hovering around 3.5 inches. And for what it’s worth, the average size of a flaccid penis is also 3.5 inches. When erect, the average penis measures 5.1-5.5 inches long.

So, how does an erect penis "fit" during penetrative sex? When sexual arousal occurs, the top part of the vagina can stretch and grow up to 8 inches. This process is known as "tenting." That means while a penis can grow up to around 50% when aroused, a vagina can grow by 200% during sex.

But wait, there’s more. Quite a bit more!

You have some nerve(s)!

Women and people assigned female at birth have another sex organ, the clitoris, that can also provide pleasure during sex. The clitoris is actually a scientific conundrum since it’s the only structure in the human body whose sole purpose is to provide sexual pleasure. It has around 8000 nerve endings, which is the densest nerve supply of any organ. By comparison, a penis only has 4000 nerve endings.

A lot bigger than you might imagine, the tip of the clitoris (glans) is, well, like the tip of an iceberg. Below the surface of the skin, there are two internal bulbs that extend outward and downward encircling the vagina, and when you include the internal parts of the clitoris it measures roughly the same length (3.5 inches) as a flaccid penis too!

So, the next time you see someone walking around with "BDE", he likely has nothing on the "BCE" you possess.

Wet and wild

Not so fast. Vaginas can get “wet” for lots of reasons. Not just arousal.

Your body produces around ½ to 1 teaspoon of cervical mucus per day. That can feel wet.

Vulvas have a high concentration of sweat glands. This can also feel wet.

Vaginas can involuntarily produce lubrication when touched,

People should never confuse wetness with consent, which is the most important takeaway. Verbal consent during sex needs to be communicated and mutually understood. Whether you are wet or not.

The Sheath Underneath

The name “vagina” comes from Latin and means “sheath” or “scabbard” (a case for covering the blade of a knife or sword.) The name “penis”, also from Latin, means “tail”. We'll leave that right there.

Funny enough, if the penis were named after a sword or knife, it’d be called a “gladius”, “pugione”, or “culter”.

Hmm. Cue the new nicknames.

Vaginal Lost and Found

Contrary to popular belief and your panic-stricken mind (we KNOW you put a tampon in this morning!), you can’t lose anything in your vagina. At the far end of the vagina is the cervix, and while it dilates during childbirth and opens slightly (a pin-hole size) before ovulation and during menstruation, it remains closed at other times.

So, the next time a condom or sex toy suddenly slips away into the darkness, consider it missing for the moment rather than lost forever into Nether Nether Land.

It's Like Wine or Beer Down There

We all know there’s nothing basic about the vagina. But here’s something you might not know: the vagina thrives in an acidic environment. According to the National Institutes of Health, the ideal pH level of the vagina is 4.0-4.5, putting its acidity on par with tomato juice, wine, and beer.

A healthy vagina is full of healthy bacteria that promotes a protective acidic environment. This keeps unhealthy bacteria and yeast in check. Many things can throw this delicate pH balance out of whack – antibiotics, sexual activity, hygiene products like scented ”anything” and douches – and set your vagina up for various infections, like BV (bacterial vaginosis) and yeast infections.

Some discharge is healthy and normal, but if you notice a change in color (BV discharge is green or gray), texture (yeast infections can cause a thick, white discharge), or volume...start thinking infection. Think this especially if it’s accompanied by itching, pain during sex, burning while urinating, or a strong, fishy odor.

The Self-Clean Machine

Your vagina isn’t an oven (even if it feels like it sometimes), but ovens and vaginas do have one cool thing in common: an ability to self-clean. The lining of the vagina is comprised of glands that release fluid (aka discharge) that flushes out dead cells, excess water, and bacteria and keeps things clean without any additional work. Simple, unscented soap and water between the outermost labial folds is all your vagina needs.

A Word on the Clitoris

Psychology Today states that 5-20% of people with vaginas don’t reach orgasm from vaginal penetration alone. That means 80-95% of women and people assigned female at birth need something else to climax. For the majority of women, that something else is clitoral stimulation.

Need some evidence? In studies, 99% of people were able to reach orgasm during clitoral masturbation. Oh, and for what it’s worth, the only factor that seems to be associated with the ability to achieve orgasm during penetrative sex is the distance between the tip of the clitoris and the vaginal opening.

Floor Exercises Aren’t Just for Olympic Gymnasts

Experts universally agree that toning and strengthening pelvic floor muscles is a good thing. Not only do Kegel exercises help your body recover after childbirth, but they also help prevent urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse later in life.

This training increases blood flow to the vulva and vagina, and some studies show that stronger pelvic floor muscles contribute to greater pleasure from penetrative sex and more intense orgasms as well.

So, if you're looking to enhance your sexual experience and overall vaginal health, incorporating pelvic floor exercises into your routine could be a game-changer.

These exercises are easy to do and can be done discreetly anywhere, anytime. Simply contract and relax the muscles in your pelvic floor, as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine. Aim for three sets of 10-15 repetitions a few times a day to see results.

In addition to improving sexual pleasure, strong pelvic floor muscles can also improve overall pelvic health and prevent issues such as urinary leakage and pelvic organ prolapse. So, why not give Kegel exercises a try and see how they can benefit not only your sex life but your overall well-being as well. Remember, a little effort now can lead to big rewards in the future.

A Musical Instrument on the Inside

Vaginas are pleated. Yes, like a dress or curtains. The walls of the vagina are lined with bumpy ridges (rugae) that stretch and retract, similar to an accordion, to accommodate objects ranging in size from a tampon to a baby. So, the next time you want to go “dancing in the sheets” with your partner of choice, skip the playlist on your iPhone and make some music with your built-in melody-maker down below.

If you still have questions about your vagina or have concerns about your reproductive health, Tia has you covered. Here, you’ll find an inclusive, connected, and experienced team of medical experts who practice women-centric, whole-body healthcare in a safe and supportive setting. We’re great listeners too! So, ask away.