The vagina. Half the population of the world has one, so you’d think there would be plenty of accurate common knowledge circulating about it. However, vaginal myths, stigmas, and inaccuracies are extremely common. Oftentimes, things are completely normal issues, but sometimes you should check in with your healthcare provider. This article will answer your questions so you can learn more about the vagina and beneficial vaginal facts that every woman should know.

The vagina and the vulva are not the same

When talking about the nether regions, most people refer to the vagina like it is all-encompassing. But that is not the case. There are two main parts of the female genitalia: the vulva and the vagina. The vulva consists of the external genital parts, which are the inner and outer labia, clitoris, urethra, and mons pubis (the rounded mass of fatty tissue over the pubic bones). The vagina is the internal genitalia, which includes the vaginal canal and cervix, which separates the vagina from the uterus.

It is important to know the difference between these two anatomical parts because care for each area has different needs.

Vaginas are all unique—no two are alike

Vulvas and vaginas are as unique as the person to whom they belong. Sure, they all have the same parts, but like the people who have them, their appearances can come in several shapes, sizes, colors, and even smells.

The labia of the vulva are often the most uniquely defining part of the female genitalia. There are two sets of labia, or “lips,” on the vulva: the labia majora and the labia minora. The labia majora are the exposed outer lips and the labia minora are the inner lips that are a darker tone of skin and wrap along the sides of the vaginal opening. The labia can appear asymmetrical, curved, have more prominent inner or outer lips, be long and dangling, small and open, or small and closed. All of these are variations of a normal and healthy vagina. But if you experience any pain or discomfort because of the appearance interfering with your daily activities, sexual health, or feminine hygiene routine, you should check with your healthcare provider.

The genitals are unique in other ways as well, including the clitoris, pubic hair, and vaginal smell.

The clitoris glans is located at the top of the vulva where the two labia minora meet and it is covered by a hood of skin. This part is unique in the size of the clitoris glans, and the hood may be large or small.

Pubic hair is another unique feature. Depending on testosterone levels (yes, women produce testosterone, too—just in much smaller amounts than men do), pubic and body hair may be thick, thin, all over the vulva or only on the mons pubis, and it may or may not “match” the hair color or appearance of the hair that grows on your head.

Vaginas also have a natural smell. And, in the same way individual people each have their own unique scent, so do vaginas.

The vagina is self-cleaning

Ever notice how your vagina often excretes discharge, which may be clear to whitish in color and range from thin to thick, throughout the day? That is how the vagina cleans itself. Hormones signal the vagina to excrete cervical mucus throughout the day, and the vulva is packed with sweat glands. This is how the female genitals perform their own flushing out of biological waste and bacteria. Once again, this moisture and vaginal discharge contributes to the healthy smell of the vagina. Using heavily scented soaps, douching, and vaginal steaming can harm the microbiome of the vagina and create a higher risk of vaginal infection.

If you want to know how to clean your vagina, the most effective thing to use is plain warm water. Showers are preferential over baths for vaginal health because bathwater can expose the vaginal tissue to soaps and oils. If you do opt for a bath, rinse the vulvar area thoroughly with fresh, warm water afterwards.

It’s not possible to “lose” something in the vagina (like a tampon)

Life gets busy sometimes and distractions happen, and then suddenly you remember you had put a tampon or a menstrual cup in several hours ago—or even a day or two ago (or longer)! Or maybe, when it comes to your sexual health, you were in the heat of the moment with your significant other and the condom slipped off inside you. There’s no need to worry things can get stuck or lost inside your vagina, because the vaginal canal is closed off by the cervix. Imagine an inflated balloon that is tied off and placed atop a toilet paper tube. The tied end of the balloon would be the cervix and the inflated part would be the uterus, and the inside of the tube would be the vaginal canal. So, there is only one way into the tube and one way back out, and the space inside it is limited.

If something gets forgotten or accidentally left in the vagina, it can very likely be easily removed by washing your hands and then using your fingers to reach inside and get it out. However, if you’re experiencing signs or symptoms of vaginal infection, you should see your doctor so they can check to see if any pieces of the item that was in the vagina were missed if it broke apart while it was in there. They can also prescribe you the appropriate medications if needed.