Last week, we got honest about something most of us were never properly taught. We covered the foundations, the difference between the vulva and vagina, why intimate health matters, and why the products you use down there deserve a second look.
This week, we're getting into the fun part. The surprising, slightly bizarre, genuinely fascinating facts that make you go, “wait… really?” once you hear them.
Your southern reaches are doing a lot more behind the scenes than most of us ever realised. Here are 8 facts worth knowing.
1. What's in a Name?
The etymology here is surprisingly instructive.
The word clitoris comes from the Greek kleitoris, meaning a latch or key for a door. Ancient anatomists considered it the key to female sexuality, which honestly tracks. Vulva is Latin for wrapper. Vagina is Latin for sheath, as in a holder for a sword.
The Latin word for sword? Gladius, which was also a common term for the penis. Make of that what you will.
2. Iceberg Ahead! I mean… Clitoris Ahead.
While it may look small, the visible part of the clitoris is just the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the organ spreads internally, wrapping around the vaginal canal and extending toward the thighs, and can be as long as 12cm in total. All that fabulous, magical stuff? It's mostly happening beneath the surface.
3. What Do Vaginas and Sharks Have in Common?
This one sounds like a joke, but it’s not.
Both contain squalene, a natural compound found in shark liver oil and also present in vaginal lubrication. It plays a role in moisture and protection in both cases.
4. Why is the Vagina called Self-Cleaning?
Because it quite literally is.
A highly specialised army of bacteria exists for the sole purpose of keeping your vaginal pH balanced and hostile bacteria at bay. Your vagina cleans itself naturally, and discharge is simply the evidence of that process at work.
So if you notice it in your underwear at the end of the day, that’s not a problem. That’s maintenance.
What isn’t helpful is trying to interfere with that system. Douching, for example, disrupts the natural balance and can lead to infections like bacterial vaginosis or thrush.
For those unfamiliar, douching refers to the practice of rinsing or cleaning inside the vagina with water or a special fluid, often sold as a feminine hygiene product. It might seem like a good idea in theory, a little internal cleaning never hurt anyone, right?
Wrong. The inside of the vagina does not need cleaning.
The outside, including the vulva, does, but gently and without harsh or fragranced products.
5. Vulva and Vagina Absorption
You might be surprised to know that the vaginal ecosystem is significantly more absorbent than typical skin. The vaginal canal is richly supplied with blood vessels and produces mucus that protects against and flushes out harmful microorganisms. As a mucous membrane, it absorbs fluids at a higher rate than regular skin, and the same applies to parts of the external vulva, including the clitoris, clitoral hood, labia minora, and urethra.
Because the vagina and vulva rapidly absorb chemicals without metabolising them first, researchers have even explored the possibility of delivering medication vaginally.
This is also exactly why the products that touch this area every day, including toilet paper, underwear, and intimate washes, should be as clean and chemical-free as possible.
And it's not just women. The highest absorption rate on the male body is the scrotum, which is 100 times higher than the lowest absorption rate elsewhere on the body.
6. Do Vaginas Actually Have a Smell?
Yes, and they’re supposed to. Your vagina contains a specialised bacterial community working around the clock to keep your pH healthy and balanced. Like all bacteria, these do have a scent. That distinctive, slightly tangy smell is completely normal and not something that needs to be masked with scented washes, sprays, or perfumes.
In fact, using heavily fragranced products in this area can disrupt the very bacterial balance that keeps things healthy. If you notice a new scent that's unusual or particularly strong, that's worth a visit to your doctor.
A sudden or strong change in smell is worth checking with a healthcare professional, but a natural scent is completely normal.
7. Can Anything Get Lost Inside the Vagina?
No, nothing can disappear forever in there.
If you've ever had a mild panic moment mid-intimacy after realising you forgot about a tampon, you are absolutely not alone. Rest assured: your tampon cannot travel past your cervix. The opening is simply too small. The cervix stays firmly closed except during childbirth.
That said, forgetting about a tampon for several days can cause an unpleasant odour and, in rare cases, increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome. It's safe to try to retrieve it yourself, but if it has slipped out of reach, see a doctor without delay.
8. One to Make the Men Jealous
The clitoris has over 8,000 nerve endings. The penis has around 4,000. The clitoris wins by a significant margin and exists entirely for the purpose of pleasure. All the more reason to understand it, celebrate it, and give it the attention it deserves.
Eight Facts, One Takeaway
Your body is remarkable, and the more you understand it, the better equipped you are to look after it. From self-cleaning superpowers to the surprisingly impressive clitoris, your southern reaches are doing a lot more than most of us ever gave them credit for.
But knowing the facts is only part of the picture. In the final part of our Self-Care for Down There series, we're tackling the conversation most people avoid having altogether. Trust us, you'll want to read this one.
