We’ve heard it all before in this male-dominated world; vaginal tightness is associated with virginity and looseness with promiscuity. This myth and sexist ideology are simply not true. This type of thinking has shamed women causing them to have less self-esteem. The truth is, the vagina is like a rubber band. It was created to stretch to accommodate a healthy baby and shrink back to allow for enjoyable intimacy in a relationship. Today, we clear up misconceptions that have impacted women negatively for years and learn the facts about vaginal elasticity, sexual health, and self-esteem.
The Myth of the “Loose Vagina”
Throughout history, myths have been perpetuated that promiscuous women have looser vaginas and that anything inserted into the vagina will cause it to stretch beyond repair. The fact is that the vagina is a muscle. Like all muscles, it will expand, contract, and stretch to accommodate tampons to babies. In addition, having penetrative sex or using tampons is not enough to dramatically alter the vagina, and it will return to its normal state some time afterward. This is true even after childbirth. However, over time, your body will change, and while there won’t be anything as dramatic as the myths claim, you may notice some natural looseness over many years due to age or multiple childbirths.
Vaginismus
Vaginismus is the medical term for the involuntary tensing of the vaginal muscles, making penetration painful. The cause of vaginismus is idiopathic, but there are treatments to help ease the pain. This is not the same as the tightness and pain accompanying a woman’s first time having intercourse. Some medical professionals believe this is a by-product of trauma or hypersensitivity. Although there is no medical treatment for this, there are practices to help lessen muscle contractions. Tools such as dilators that come in varying sizes can help ease the pain and stretch the muscle to allow for penetration without discomfort. Additionally, in many cases, simply using lubricants and spending sufficient time during foreplay can help women ease into a more relaxed vaginal state, making the experience much more pleasurable and enjoyable.
Available Procedures
While there will be some natural changes with age, extreme looseness can also result from underlying conditions, and there are ways to get that strength and bounce back into the vaginal muscles. Many gynecologists recommend Kegels or various pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles in that region. Other procedures such as botox injections also exist that can help stimulate the area and restore elasticity. One such procedure is Viveve, which is performed in a quick, easy, and safe manner that promotes the growth and production of collagen. This, in turn, will increase sensitivity and the strength of muscle contractions and provide a range of other pelvic floor benefits. Visit Cheyenne Mountain Gynecology to discuss any concerns or treatments you may be interested in.
