She Strengthens

Debunking the Myth: Separating Fact from Fiction About Vaginal Elasticity

Understanding Vaginal Elasticity

Your vagina is an incredible, elastic organ that can stretch and snap back into shape. This myth-busting article will explore how age, childbirth, and other factors might affect vaginal elasticity and introduce exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor.

The Truth About Vaginal Contraction and Expansion

Can a vagina get loose? The answer is no. Your vagina can change over time due to age, childbirth, and penetration, but it can’t lose its elasticity for good. Think of it like a rubber band – the muscles expand and contract over time. It’s essential to note that calling a vagina “loose” has its roots in sex shaming and is not a medically accurate term.

Vaginal “Tightness” – A Signal for Another Issue

If you’re experiencing excessive tightness during penetration, it may signal another issue. Normally, your vaginal muscles relax when you’re aroused. If that’s not happening, you might feel anxious, not turned on, or there may be another mental or emotional issue at play. Super tight vaginal muscles can make sex painful or even impossible. This could be a sign of vaginismus, a treatable condition.

Vaginas Change Over Time

Getting older and giving birth will alter your vagina’s elasticity. Childbirth can weaken vaginal muscles, but it’s not a reason for concern. Your vagina will start to return to its normal shape a few days after delivery. Though it won’t necessarily snap right back to its original shape, it can over time.

Age and Vaginal Elasticity

Most of the time, vaginas start to shift elasticity around age 40 or when estrogen levels begin to drop. During the perimenopausal stage, you might notice your vaginal tissue become drier, thinner, less acidic, and less elastic. These changes may become more noticeable as you enter full-on menopause.

Can Sex Make Your Vagina Loose?

There’s no evidence to suggest that having any amount of sex can make your vagina “loose.” When you have sex or penetration, your vagina gets wet via its natural lubrication process. The muscles then expand to fit the penis, sex toy, etc. Afterward, your vagina will snap back into shape.

Strengthening Your Vagina

Your pelvic floor muscles are integral to your core and help support many organs, including your bladder, small intestine, rectum, and uterus. When your pelvic floor muscles weaken, some undesirable effects might happen, such as a constant feeling that you need to pee, accidentally peeing, experiencing pelvic pain, or experiencing pain during sex.

4 Best Vagina Exercises

Doing these exercises will strengthen your pelvic floor, support your organs, and may help restore your vagina’s elasticity.

1. Kegel Exercises: Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles and hold for at least 5 seconds. Then relax for 5 seconds. Repeat this at least 5 times in a row.
2. Pelvic Tilt Exercises: Stand with your shoulders and booty against a wall. Keep your legs straight but not locked, with your knees relaxed. Suck in your belly button toward your spine. As you do this, you’ll notice your back start to straighten and flatten against the wall. Hold this position for at least 4 seconds. Repeat at least 5 times.
3. Vaginal Cones: Insert a vaginal cone and use your muscles to hold it in place. Repeat for about 15 minutes, 2 times a day. Work up to heavier cones as you get stronger.
4. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES): NMES works by sending an electric current to a muscle group to help strengthen it. You can do this at home or visit a doctor for it.

The Bottom Line

Don’t believe the myth: A loose vagina isn’t really a thing. Your vagina’s elasticity can shift over time with age and childbirth, and its muscles can weaken, but that’s not permanent. You can always do exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and vaginal muscles. If you’re worried about your vaginal muscle strength, visit a gynecologist to discuss it.