As vagina, vulva, often colloquially Scabbard called, is a part of the internal female sexual organs. The vagina is located in the pelvis of the woman and represents a connection to the uterus. During a natural birth, the newborn is literally brought into the world through the vagina.
What is the vagina?
The vagina belongs to the internal female sexual organs and refers to the muscular tube that connects the vaginal entrance and the cervix. The vagina is often referred to as the vagina or vaginal tube.
The vagina is very flexible and is characterized by a sophisticated range of functions. Because the vagina has far more tasks than just transporting the newborn out of the woman's body at the time of birth.
Anatomy & structure
In the vagina it is a so-called hollow organ, which consists of a smooth and flexible muscle tube that is about ten centimeters long. The vagina connects the entrance to the vagina (introitus vaginae) and the transition to the cervix (porti).
Due to its fibrous and flexible structure, the vagina is extremely flexible, so that it can adapt to the penis during intercourse and to the size of the child during birth. In addition, due to the special structure of the mucous membranes, its structure (it consists of several thin layers) and the acidic body flora, it has a relatively fast self-healing process.
In virgins - women and girls who have never had sexual intercourse - the vagina near the vaginal entrance area is often narrowed by the hymen (hymen).
Function & tasks
The vagina fulfills a whole range of tasks. On the one hand, it provides a way out of the body for menstrual blood, which has to be excreted every month at the beginning of the period.
On the other hand, it enables the male sex organ to penetrate the body during sexual intercourse. In this way, the male sperm can enter the woman's interior and find its way, protected and guided by the vaginal secretion, into the uterus and to the mature egg cell. If this is fertilized, pregnancy occurs and in the coming months the cell union grows into a new person.
If this is viable, or if complications arise, the birth process is initiated - and the vagina plays a very important role in this. Because it not only represents part of the birth canal: the strong muscle contractions of labor, which also affect the muscles and muscle fibers of the vaginal canal, drive the child out of the body in a targeted manner, so to speak.
Diseases
So many functions and tasks that vagina can also show that so many complaints, diseases and malformations can also occur. Malformations such as a curved course of the muscle tube are very common and, depending on the degree of curvature, can be very problematic. However, with a malformation, the vagina can also be too narrow, too short or closed.
A detailed examination must determine whether and how the malformation can be treated surgically. The vagina can of course also be injured or infected by diseases. Typical injuries are cracks in the vaginal walls, for example caused by a foreign body or during sexual intercourse. Again, based on the severity of the injury, a decision must be made as to whether treatment is necessary or not. Because the vagina has a very good self-healing system, weak injuries often heal quickly and by themselves.
Common diseases are inflammation and infections such as fungal infections, which affect the mucous membranes of the vagina. These mostly disrupt the balance of the vaginal flora, which, however, can also be a disease of its own - for example caused by hormonal disorders. Infections and inflammations often manifest themselves as itching, redness, brownish or yellowish discharge and a burning, stabbing or drawing pain when urinating.
Typical & common diseases
- Vaginal infections (vaginal infections)
- Vaginal fungus (vaginal fungus)
- Vaginal discharge
- Inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis)
- Burning sensation in the vagina (vaginal burning sensation)
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