Debunking Myths About Vagina
From being called Cherry, Flower, Lady Garden, Fanny, Pussy, Vajayjay, and whatnot, the vagina has many myths associated with it. (Inside info, what most people call a vagina is a vulva. If you knew this already, then a high-five for paying attention to your high school's human reproduction/puberty chapter.) By the way, what nickname do you use for your vulva/vagina?
[The term vagina will be used to refer to both the vulva and vagina in this article]
[Some of the images used in this blog are created by AI. Even the AI was disgusted by the myths and hence the absurd images. I could change the images, but maybe seeing the weird, absurd images will help to get the myths out of our system.]
When it comes to myths associated with women, one will notice that they are primarily rooted in the male perspective, misogyny, and patriarchal school of thought. Some myths from the seventeenth century and earlier are still circulating. One of the reasons for the massive propagation of these misconceptions is that in earlier times, the science and art field was ruled and dominated by men. And even though a lot has changed in the last couple of years with the scientific discoveries, the increased presence of diverse humans (who are not cis-gendered men) and thoughts, and by watching the world through women’s perspectives, a myriad of myths and misconceptions primarily related to female anatomy and morphology is still lingering in the air. Also, let us not forget that women, too, have a hand in propagating the myths by believing in them rather than noticing their bodies.
So, in this article, let us debunk some of the myths related to the vagina and be more educated about one of the most intriguing parts of the female body.
Vagina has fangs/teeth:
Image credit: https://www.craiyon.com/
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This is the most absurd myth that I have ever come across. The courtesy for this myth goes to the folklore of tribes such as the Maori and Baiga tribes. Every part of the world has its own version of vaginal teeth based on the fear of castration and without any scientific basis. And because of this absurd fear, a lot of women were mutilated so as to
remove the so-called vaginal teeth before they were married or had their first penetrative sexual experience. Men and their ridiculous fears!! And this should make you angry.
The only thing close to vaginal teeth that have been found is a cystic teratoma (a tumour) which caused teeth to grow inside the uterus of a British woman. And it is not uncommon to see such structures developing inside the tumours.
Inspired by the myth of Vagina Dentata, Sonette Ehlers invented, Rapex, the “anti-rape condom” in response to South Africa’s alarming rates of rape; a device that can be worn like a tampon.
But well, if you want to feel a little bit of horror due to vaginal teeth, watch the horror comedy Teeth.
Losing Tampon inside the body: C’mon, folks! It is the female body we are talking about and not the Bermuda Triangle that a tampon will get lost in. It is impossible for it to get lost inside you. I mean, do you even know about the size of the cervical opening? It is too tiny for a tampon to give it a ride inside.
Some of you might find it hard to digest, but some women forget to take the tampon out and forget about it, and when it starts smelling, they rush to the doctor (sometimes not remembering about it even then). The other possibility which can happen is for the string of the tampon to end up inside the body. But that is only possible if you insert another tampon while you are still one or have sex with a tampon inside. Even with the string inside, it can be felt and pulled out. And if nothing works, then visit a doctor but don’t compare your vagina to the Bermuda Triangle. It might scare someone who is considering using a tampon.
Reference: https://d1oz8c8oleklo9.cloudfront.net/2021/12/How-To-Insert-A-Tampon-Without-An-Applicator.webp
Garlic and Curd cure yeast infection: Well yeah! If you are infected by some black magic, try using garlic and curd 😉 😉 but these won’t cure your yeast infections. Applying curd on the vulva may help reduce the burning sensation and irritation, but some people may develop allergies, so avoid doing that. Either wait for a week (if you can handle the irritation) or seek medical advice.
Image Credit: Image Creator from Microsoft Bing
Vaginal Discharge = Disaster: Just like sweat glands secrete sweat, glands in and around vulval regions produce secretions for maintaining vaginal health. The secretions are more around the ovulation and menstruation phase. Each body works differently, so the time frame may vary from woman to woman. If you feel changes in the odour, texture or colour of the discharge, then consulting a doctor is advised. Better be informed than ignorant.
Terrible if you don’t experience orgasms from vaginal sex: Very few women experience orgasms from vaginal sex. Most women experience orgasms from clitoris stimulations. Clitoris is not just the outer part that we see; the majority of it is internal, which may be stimulated by penetration and hence the orgasm by vaginal sex. But not everyone is a pro in figuring out the clit position inside the vagina. Not everyone wants or does penetrative sex, so spice up with foreplay and don’t stress about vaginal sex orgasms. You got it in a lot of other ways.
Reference: https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/what-is-the-clitoris
Loads of sex= Loose Vagina: Has your face gotten loose by excessive laughing? No. Right? So do you think that vagina is made of just some cheap material? It is made of world-class muscles. It has excellent elasticity. From a 2cm opening, it goes to 10cm while giving birth and minds you, it does not stay open at 10 cm; It comes back to its normal resting state after giving birth, and so does it after having sex.
This myth was circulated to prevent women from enjoying sexual pleasures.
It is true that prior to puberty, the vagina is tight as compared to later stages of life. But it has nothing to do with sex. As the rest of the body grows and changes, the vagina, too, undergoes specific changes, and that is okay. With age, as all the muscles of our body lose their elasticity, the vagina, too, loses it. It is no biggie. The other scenario where the vagina becomes a little loose is after a normal delivery. But the approximate prior form can be attained by pelvic floor exercises. You cannot expect it to go exactly the same as it was before delivery; other parts of the body do change as well.
So don’t let the fear of a loose vagina stop you from having lots of sex.
Pineapples make the Vagina yummy: If nature wanted our vagina to taste fruity, it would have been fruity. The taste of a vagina(metallic/sour/salty) varies from body to body and with different stages of the menstruation cycle according to the secretions produced by glands. If the taste is off or the smell is fishy, it might be due to disturbed pH or an infection.
Some foods and drinks like Asparagus, alcohol, tobacco, and spicy food, which affect the smell of urine and sweat, can alter the taste for some time (e.g.Asparagus- grassy; alcohol/tobacco- acidic/bitter).
Stop worrying about your vagina tastes and start taking a healthy diet because a healthy diet means a healthy vagina.
Vaginas must be cleaned with douches: DO NOT DOUCHE. Period! Most of us have heard know douching with respect to gay sex. But it is not advised at all. Not even for men; not for anal sex; not for anything; unless you have a medical condition or a medical procedure lined up (then the hospital staff will give an enema).
Douching kills the vaginal flora, which can lead to infections and severe pelvic diseases. Don’t use fancy feminine hygiene products to clean your vagina. The vagina can very well fend itself. And for the vulva, mild warm water and some mild soaps.
(And for those who want to read about why douching should not be done for Gay sex or anal sex, read it here )
Last but not least
Hymen = Virginity: I don’t think that I need to write anything about this. We have at least come this far to scrape this myth without giving it any seat on the table.
References:
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a58049/myths-about-the-vagina-busted/
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-your-vagina-taste-good
https://www.vice.com/en/article/payq79/pussy-bites-back-vagina-dentata-myths-from-around-the-world
https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/what-is-the-clitoris
Spread love whenever and wherever you can
~ Sakshi
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