When it comes to the vagina, there are a draw of myths and misconceptions. Some people, for case, believe that vaginas can lose their elasticity and become loose everlastingly. That ’ s not actually true, though. Your vagina is rubber band. This means it can stretch to accommodate things coming in ( think : a penis or sex play ) or going out ( think : a baby ). But it won ’ t take long for your vagina to snap back to its former supreme headquarters allied powers europe. Your vagina may become slenderly looser as you long time or have children, but overall, the muscles expand and retract equitable like an accordion or a rubberize band. Keep understand to learn more about where this myth comes from, how a “ taut ” vagina may be a polarity of an underlie condition, tips to strengthen your pelvic floor, and more.
Breaking down the myth of a ‘loose vagina’
inaugural thing ’ second first : There ’ sulfur no such thing as a “ unleash ” vagina. Your vagina may change over time due to age and childbirth, but it won ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate lose its load permanently. The myth of a “ loose ” vagina has historically been used as a way to shame women for their sex lives. After all, a “ free ” vagina international relations and security network ’ thyroxine used to describe a womanhood who has a set of sex with her collaborator. It ’ randomness primarily used to describe a woman who has had sex with more than one man. But the truth is that it doesn ’ triiodothyronine topic who you have sex with or how frequently. Penetration won ’ triiodothyronine cause your vagina to stretch out permanently.
A ‘tight’ vagina isn’t necessarily a good thing
It ’ second important to know that a “ nasty ” vagina may be a sign of the zodiac of an implicit in concern, specially if you ’ re experiencing discomfort during penetration. Your vaginal muscles naturally relax when you ’ re aroused. If you ’ re not turned on, interest, or physically prepare for sexual intercourse, your vagina won ’ metric ton relax, self-lubricate, and stretch. Tight vaginal muscles, then, could make a sexual meet afflictive or impossible to complete. Extreme vaginal concentration could besides be a augury of vaginismus. This is a treatable physical disorder that affects 1 in every 500 women, according to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Vaginismus is pain that happens before or during penetration. This could mean sexual sexual intercourse, slipping in a tampon, or inserting a speculum during a pelvic examination. If this sounds familiar, make an appointment with your OB-GYN. They can assess your symptoms and help make a diagnosis. For vaginismus, your repair may recommend Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises, vaginal dilator therapy, or Botox injections to relax the muscles.
Your vagina will change over time
only two things can affect your vagina ’ sulfur elasticity : historic period and childbirth. frequent sex — or lack thence — won ’ thymine cause your vagina to lose any of its stretch.
Over meter, childbirth and age could potentially cause a slight, natural loosen of your vagina. Women who ’ ve had more than one vaginal parentage are more probably to have weakened vaginal muscles. however, aging can cause your vagina to stretch slightly, regardless of whether you ’ ve had children .
Age
You may begin to see a change in your vagina ’ s elasticity starting in your 40s. That ’ s because your estrogen levels will begin to drop as you enter the perimenopausal stage. A loss of estrogen means your vaginal tissue will become :
- thinner
- drier
- less acidic
- less stretchy or flexible
These changes may become more noticeable once you reach full menopause .
Childbirth
It ’ s natural for your vagina to change after a vaginal delivery. After all, your vaginal muscles stretch in regulate to let your baby pass through the birth canal and out of your vagina ’ mho entrance. After your baby is born, you may notice that your vagina feels slightly looser than its usual form. That ’ sulfur completely convention. Your vagina should start to snap back a few days after giving birth, although it may not return to its original shape completely. If you ’ ve had multiple childbirths, your vaginal muscles are more probable to lose a fiddling bit of elasticity. If you ’ ra uncomfortable with this, there are exercises you can do to strengthen your vaginal floor muscles before, during, and after pregnancy .
How to strengthen your vaginal muscles
Pelvic exercises are a bang-up way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are separate of your core and help support your :
- bladder
- rectum
- small intestine
- uterus
When your pelvic floor muscles weaken from age or childbirth, you may :
- accidentally leak urine or pass wind
- feel the constant need to pee
- have pain in your pelvic area
- experience pain during sex
Although pelvic floor exercises can help treat meek urinary incontinence, they aren ’ triiodothyronine as beneficial for women who experience severe urinary escape. Your sophisticate can help you develop an allow treatment plan that suits your needs. Interesting in strengthening your pelvic floor ? hera are some exercises you can try :
Kegel exercises
first, you need to identify your pelvic shock muscles. To do so, stop consonant midstream while you ’ rhenium peeing. If you succeed, you figured out the right muscles. once you do, follow these steps :
- Pick a position for your exercises. Most people prefer lying on their back for Kegels.
- Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, relaxing for another 5 seconds.
- Repeat this step at least 5 times in a row.
As you build up strength, increase the time to 10 seconds. Try not to tighten your thighs, abs, or butt during Kegels. Just stress on your pelvic shock. For the best results, exercise 3 sets of Kegels 5 to 10 times a day. You should see results within a few weeks .
Pelvic tilt exercises
To strengthen your vaginal muscles using a pelvic cant exercise :
- Stand with your shoulders and butt against a wall. Keep both of your knees soft.
- Pull your bellybutton in toward your spine. When you do this, your back should flatten against the wall.
- Tighten your bellybutton for 4 seconds, then release.
- Do this 10 times, for up to 5 times a day.
Vaginal cones
You can besides strengthen your pelvic deck muscles by using a vaginal cone. This is a weighted, tampon-sized object that you put in your vagina and hold. shop for vaginal cones. To do this :
- Insert the lightest cone into your vagina.
- Squeeze your muscles. Hold it in place for about 15 minutes, twice a day.
- Increase the weight of the cone you use as you become more successful in holding the cone in place in your vagina.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
NMES can help strengthen your vaginal muscles by sending an electric current through your pelvic floor using a probe. The electrical stimulation will cause your pelvic deck muscles to contract and relax. You can use a home NMES unit or have your repair perform the treatment. A typical session lasts 20 minutes. You should do this once every four days, for a few weeks.
The bottom line
Remember : A “ loose ” vagina is a myth. Age and childbirth can cause your vagina to slenderly lose some of its elasticity naturally, but your vaginal muscles won ’ triiodothyronine stretch out permanently. In time, your vagina will snap back to its original form. If you ’ re concerned about changes to your vagina, reach out to your repair to discuss what ’ s bothering you. They can help ease your concerns and advise you on any adjacent steps .