Relax — a well-hung guy won't stretch it out. As explained above, the vagina is incredibly elastic and can fit a supersize penis — yet it always returns to its usual tightness after sex. But it might be a different story once you pop out a baby, according to some moms. You can tighten up by doing certain exercises (see no. 7).
Nor will it "revirginize" if you go through a long dry spell. There's a rumor out there that if you find yourself in a no-booty bout, your vagina will become so tight that getting back in the saddle will hurt. While your vaginal muscles may be tense at first, penetration shouldn't be painful.
It benefits from regular exercise. Just as working your biceps firms up your arms, working your pubococcygeus muscle — a main muscle of your pubic region — can tone up your vag. Besides giving you a tighter grip during sex, it also may make it easier to climax. Here's how to exercise your V: Clamp down as if you're stopping your urine flow, hold for 10 seconds, then release. Do two sets of 10 to 20 reps a day; you'll notice a difference in about a month.
It's teeming with bacteria. Don't get grossed out — they're the kind that keep bad microorganisms in check so you don't get an infection. One of the good bacteria is lactobacilli, also found in yogurt, so it's nothing to be scared of.
It's self-cleaning. No need to douche or wash the inside — it cleans itself with discharge (yep, that stuff has a function). The secretions flush out cells from the vaginal wall, excess water, and bacteria. The only washing it needs is on the outside between the labial folds and along the perineum (use a mild, scent-free soap).
If your vagina is in pain, these are two major causes. Vaginismus, which causes the vaginal muscles to contract involuntarily, can make it difficult or impossible to have sex, use a tampon, even undergo a gyno exam. It can be treated via physical therapy or counseling, but often gets worse before it gets better because women who have it stress out so much wondering what's going on before checking in with their gyno. The other possibility is vulvodynia, which is characterized by vulva pain, stinging, or sensitivity so intense that direct touch is hard to bear. There are no visible signs and it's often diagnosed after gynos rule out other conditions, such as a bad yeast infection. Antidepressants can often help lessen the pain. Either way, see your doctor to find out what's really going on.
