Does size matter? We see this question a lot regarding penis size, but what about vagina size? There are many myths floating around (lots of sex makes a vagina huge or loose - a total myth!), and consequently, some of you might be worried about the size of your vagina and how it may impact your sexual pleasure.
So, let’s talk about it!
How Deep is the Female Vaginal Canal?
First things first, how deep is a woman’s vagina? To be honest, there’s not a set answer to that question because vaginas are kind of shapeshifters! Okay, maybe that’s a dramatic way to look at it, but, seriously, the vagina does not stay one specific size all the time. Think about how a vagina can hold a slim tampon in place but also birth a child, or how sometimes intercourse results in the cervix getting hit, but other times, that doesn’t happen at all.
The reality is that the vagina is an elastic organ, much like the stomach. It may sound odd, but both the vagina and the stomach have something called rugae which allows them to expand when they need to and collapse back into place when they aren’t being used. This allows the vagina to, generally speaking, expand or contract when necessary. The vagina is also surrounded by several muscles, a fact that can come in pretty handy when you’re learning how to tighten vaginal walls.
When it comes to actual data on vaginal depth, the most commonly cited numbers come from the work of renowned researchers Masters and Johnson. In the 1960s, they examined 100 women who had never been pregnant to get an idea of average vaginal size, unaffected by pregnancy and vaginal birth. They found that, without stimulation, vagina lengths were typically between 2.75 inches and 3.25 inches. When adding stimulation, and thus sexual arousal, to the equation, the lengths increased to between 4.25 inches and 4.75 inches.
Vagina Size and Sexual Pleasure
This all leads us to one big question, does vaginal length relate to sexual satisfaction? The kind of disappointing answer is it’s pretty unclear.
Some people believe that having a deeper or longer vagina will result in more pleasure just by merit of there being more nerve endings to amplify the sensation. However, there is currently no evidence suggesting that is true.
While the last 10 to 15 years have seen a very encouraging upswing in sexual health research, this area still hasn’t gotten a ton of attention. Additionally, there are many variables at play regarding sexual pleasure and the vagina, which makes it tricky to determine if there is a link between vaginal size and pleasure at all.
That said, one study published in the International Urogynecology Journal in 2010 did investigate a possible correlation vaginal opening size and length and sexual pleasure. Using medical records, questionnaires, and exams of over 500 patients 40 and older, researchers found no link between vagina size and desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, sexual activity, pain, or sexual satisfaction.
So What Does Affect Sexual Satisfaction when You Have a Vagina?
Well, physically, it’s important to keep in mind that no matter how long a vagina is, it is widely believed that the outer third is generally regarded as the area that has the most potential for pleasure. Beyond that, there are a whole bunch of other factors like sufficient arousal, adequate lubrication, and safe, healthy relationship dynamics that have been shown to be much more relevant when it comes to sexual pleasure and enjoyment.
For vagina-owners, foreplay can be a great way to ensure sexual pleasure. Referring to a complete guide on how to foreplay could give you some great, stimulating foreplay tips. Speaking of foreplay, plenty of folks wonder how long should foreplay last?
Additionally, pelvic muscle tone can impact sexual comfort and pleasure. There can be some changes in the body after childbirth due to the strain it puts on the pelvic floor. This can leave some folks with muscular injury or weakness that can be combated by increased pelvic muscle tone.
So, how do you strengthen pelvic floor muscles? The most effective way to keep your pelvic floor perky (and possibly improve your sexual experience) is via kegel exercises. In fact, a study published in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that folks who regularly performed kegel exercises reported greater sexual satisfaction than those who did not.
For many, the biggest challenge when it comes to kegels is executing them correctly. It is very easy to use the wrong muscles and miss out on the pelvic toning effects so let’s take a minute to talk about how to properly do kegel exercises, how to find the muscles, what steps to take, and what tools you can use to take it to the next level!
Kegel Exercises 101
1. First, locate the pelvic floor muscles! You can do this either by inserting a finger into the vagina and squeezing around it or by attempting to stop the flow while you are urinating.
2. Now that you know where the muscles are, try contracting them for anywhere from five to ten seconds. Relax between contractions. Try to do between ten and twenty contractions per session. TIP: If you cannot yet maintain the contraction for 5 seconds, see how long you can hold it for, and then work your way up from there.
3. Repeat this process two to three times daily.
4. If you want to take it to the next level, look into kegel weights or ben wa balls. Don’t forget, if you’re placing anything in your vagina, you need to keep everything clean. Please be sure to wash your kegel weights properly before and after using them.
When you do kegel exercises make sure to breathe normally; resist the urge to hold your breath. Also, be careful to stick with the kegel muscles as sometimes the muscles of the butt, legs, and abdomen try to jump in too, and that makes your exercises less successful.
So, there you have it, folks! Like men's penis size, vagina depth varies wildly and doesn’t have much bearing on sexual satisfaction. That said, maintaining a strong pelvic floor can help facilitate sexual pleasure and satisfaction.
Also, if you want to learn about some other womens health topics like how to make your vagina smell good or how to increase natural vaginal lubricant and what causes vaginal dryness, you can read about it in our linked articles.
Looking to explore your or your partner’s vagina with an adult sex toy, or maybe you want to explore your pelvic floor’s potential with some kegel weights? Whatever you need, PinkCherry’s got you covered with one of the widest selections on the internet!
