Society has propelled enough women to wonder about vaginal tightening and ‘loose’ vaginas. We have also seen people discussing pleasure toys in hush-hush tones while remaining confused about the dos and don’ts and nowhere to turn to for proper advice.
That is why, we reached out to Dr Tanaya Narendra (aka Dr Cuterus on Instagram), MBBS, MSc. (Oxon), FRSPH, and sexuality educator. Who better to ask these questions than the author of the book - Everything Nobody Tells You About Your Body!
Image Courtesy: Instagram/dr_cuterus
So we asked and she shared her expert opinions while busting a few common myths.
A post shared by Dr. Tanaya | Millennial Doctor (@dr_cuterus)
Vaginas do not become too loose when you have sex, and one does not need to tighten them. It is an elastic organ with tissues. It is like a saree which is actually six metres long but can be folded into one foot by one-foot square to store in a cupboard or suitcase. Similarly, the vagina sits inside the pelvis.
It is a long canal that expands to make way for penetration of the penis or a sex toy or even a baby. When it is not accommodating anything, the muscles contract. Technically and biologically, the vaginal canal is supposed to loosen up. It is natural.
One does not have vaginal tightening. However, a person's vaginal opening can be too tight. It is defined as vaginismus. Certain therapies can help relax the pelvic floor muscles and make penetration more comfortable.
The two things that actually affect the firmness of the vaginal tissue are pregnancy and ageing. With age, menopause can also affect the elasticity of the vagina. It happens due to hormonal changes. Pelvic floor therapy can help in such cases.
The vagina is considered ‘loose’ only when the changes are noticeable. In that case, a woman must consult a gynaecologist for pelvic floor weakness, which can lead to prolapse. In such a case, organs of the pelvis start falling out.
No, sex toys do not affect the elasticity of the vagina even if the person never had any sexual encounter. However, it can definitely help a person discover their body.
It can help a person know what they like and what does not work for them. It is like building furniture, a table, chair, or shelf. It gets easier with an instruction manual than if you have to figure out everything without it.
Similarly, when you learn about your body, it is easier to communicate with your partner about your likes and dislikes. Pleasure toys also help to overcome the stigma around the vagina and vulva. It helps not to feel ashamed of our genitalia, colour, hair, odour, etc.
It is a patriarchal concept that vaginas need tightening as if it is an object that needs rejuvenation over a period. It is definitely not required. But vaginal rejuvenation is an umbrella term that covers vagina (vulva) facial, surgery, laser treatment, steaming, etc.
Everyone can decide what they would term vaginal rejuvenation. It is like makeup. You use one product because it suits your requirements. However, unless there is a functioning impairment, there is no need for such procedures.
There are a few people who have long labia. They sometimes physically sit on it and hurt themselves, or it gets chafed while hanging out of the undergarment, such problems require surgery or intervention of the doctor.
Issues like this get in the way of everyday routine, but people opting for vaginal rejuvenation because of aesthetic or cosmetic reasons is not something a doctor would recommend unless it is your choice. When one opts for an unrequited procedure, it can be harmful.
For example, yoni or vaginal steaming became a trend. It is nothing but women boiling water in a large bowl, keeping it under a chair and sitting on it. The steam is ‘supposed’ to ‘heal the vagina or vulva’. How can you steam someone’s door and say you have steamed the insides?
On the other hand, if you are even the slightest bit careless, it can cause more harm than good. First, steam can cause quicker burns than water. Second, since the genitalia is one of the most sensitive regions, the process can alter its pH levels. Third, humidity or moisture can lead to fungal infections.
First of all, less than 20% of people experience pleasure via vaginal penetration. For most women or people with a vagina, orgasm comes from the stimulation of the clitoris. So, it does not matter whether the vagina is too tight or loose.
It should not affect pleasure for penis owners as well. It is the patriarchal mindset that tries to control the bodies of women. In fact, a relaxed and loose vagina offers more pleasure. If we condition men to think in that direction, they would find pleasure in it. It’s just a conditioning issue.
A post shared by Dr. Tanaya | Millennial Doctor (@dr_cuterus)
No, the vaginal tightening process does not help with dryness. Vaginal lubrication is a result of hormonal changes in the body. When a woman is pregnant or undergoing menopause, that is when change in lubrication happens in most cases. However, vaginal dryness can happen without it too.
It is a common complaint that gynaecologists get to hear. For example, if you recently had sex, penetration can feel a little painful or uncomfortable on your second round. You can use lubricants from sexual wellness brands like Love Depot. They have water-based, oil-based and silicone based. These days, lubricants are also available in various flavours too.
An unflavoured water-based lubricant can help with vaginal dryness on any given day. You can also use pleasure toys. Toys that stimulate the clitoris or create an arousing sensation around the vulva can bring blood flow to the pelvic area. It can offer relief from dryness.
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A post shared by Dr. Tanaya | Millennial Doctor (@dr_cuterus)
A few things to take care of when using a pleasure toy are: never to share it, and clean it thoroughly before and after use. If you are sharing it, the toy must be covered with a condom, or else you stand at risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections.
You should also buy toys made of high-quality and body-safe silicone. Love Depot and other wellness brands have many such options. You must refrain from using shady plastic ones because small cracks in them can harm your skin. It also allows bacteria to breed and transmit infections.
You must also explore a variety of toys and see what works for your body. If the toy has suction or vibration settings, you must be careful and not rotate the dial to the highest number. The skin can get bruised, and it will be a painful love bite you would have given to yourself. Medium and low settings are the most preferred ones.
In case pregnant women are worried about their vaginal health or other issues, there is no need to get anxious. Ask your doctor and use nothing on genitalia unless prescribed by the gynaecologist.
In case you feel aroused, always choose pleasure toys that do not go inside the vaginal canal and are clean. You can use toys that stay on the surface or stimulate the clitoris. You must also check with your doctor to ensure you do not have a high-risk pregnancy because contractions from orgasms can lead to unfortunate instances.
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We not only had a fun chat but also an informational discussion with Dr Cuterus. You must have come across her videos on Instagram; we recommend you to watch them if you haven’t yet because she destigmatises a lot of taboo concepts and busts myths around many subjects concerning women's health and sexual wellness. Dr Tanaya confided in us that she takes out an hour of her day to make informational reels, so the least we can do is spend 30 seconds of our day with an open mind to learn fun facts about our bodies we might have been unaware of before.
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Your skin and body like you are unique. While we have taken all measures to ensure that the information provided in this article and on our social media channels is credible and expert verified, we recommend you consult a doctor or your dermatologist before trying a home remedy, quick hack or exercise regime. For any feedback or complaint, reach out to us at compliant_gro@jagrannewmedia.com
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