Vagina facts: How long and deep is a vagina – and how wet does it get?

The vagina is a pretty spectacular organ that never ceases to amaze us. From giving birth to babies to letting us know that we're not pregnant by bleeding every month, it can also be the source of immense pleasure. So, with such a versatile and complex repertoire, it's no surprise that there's plenty going on behind the scenes, too. All of which is important for us to know. Knowledge is power, after all!

We spoke to Dr Shirin Lakhani, a leading intimate health specialist to get the 411 on the vagina. From how deep it really is, to whether sex actually makes it stretch, here's everything you've ever wondered but never wanted to ask...

The average vagina is around 7cm deep. Which... doesn't sound like a lot. Some quick maths here tells us that that's only a few inches, and it's highly likely that anyone who's had sex with a penis, or used a dildo, has had something bigger than that inside their vagina. But, as it turns out, that's because it's basically a tube, which gets bigger when you're turned on – kind of like an inverted penis. Pretty fascinating, right?

Dr Lakhani explains: "Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, so the depth of the vagina varies greatly from person to person. The average depth of the vagina is about 7 to 8cm, but it does elongate during stimulation. Due to its elastic nature, it can stretch to accommodate any size penis." Interesting...

Just like we all have different personalities, hair colour, and facial features, no two vaginas are the same. The expert notes that there is no set template for what a 'normal' vagina looks like - meaning just because your bestie has an 'innie' and you have an 'outie,' neither of your anatomy is wrong.

"There is no one right way for a vulva (female genitalia) to look, which also means that there’s no such thing as a perfect one," Dr Lakhani says.

"The labia, or lips - which vary from person to person - seem to be under the greatest scrutiny by my patients. The fact is that the two lips of the vulva are not identical in the same person. Just as our two eyes are not the same size, our ears, breasts, and lips of our labia are neither identical nor symmetrical."

Pubic hair has a variety of purposes, from keeping the skin of your vulva warm and moisturised, helping to prevent infection by keeping dust and dirt away and protecting it from friction during sexual intercourse.

Dr Lakhani says that while intimate grooming is a matter of personal choice, "it should be remembered that the hair has a protective function." She adds: "Everyone's hair is genetically programmed to grow to different lengths and the same applies to pubic hair. When hair stops growing in its active phase, it enters a resting phase and then falls out."

That dry feeling that you get when you remove a tampon at the end of your period could actually be your body's way of trying to tell you something.

Dr Lakhani explains that using super-absorbent tampons with a light flow "may cause the mucous membrane of the vagina to dry out, leading to abrasions on removal." In this instance, she recommends using "the lightest absorbency tampon for your flow."

This is not a myth. Rather, it is possible to 'lose' a tampon, or get one stuck, inside your vagina. Should you experience this, seek medical help straight away it should be fine, Dr Lakhani reassures.

"A tampon - or any other foreign body for that matter - can become lodged high up in the vagina between the upper vaginal wall and the cervix, and may need a speculum examination to remove it. It is important not to forget to remove a tampon due to the potential risk of toxic shock syndrome," the expert adds.

Your vagina gets wetter than you think during sex. And not just when you initially get turned on. Dr Lakhani details something called Bartholin's gland, which is located on either side of the vaginal entrance. She explains that just before you orgasm, the gland "secretes a tiny amount of fluid."

"This is in addition to the lubrication that happens when you're aroused, which comes from deeper inside the vagina," she adds.

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Just like the rest of your body, there's no escaping ageing for the vagina - you can expect it to change in appearance as you get older. As for what influences the ageing, Dr Lakhani shares that changes in hormonal levels are the main contributor.

"We lose volume in our labia majora (the outer lips), and loss of collagen and elastin make the vaginal tissues thinner. Hormonal changes contribute to the thinning and also cause a reduction in lubrication leading to dryness, tearing and pain during intercourse. We also become more prone to infections and incontinence," she notes.

But don't get too stressed too quickly. Thanks to it being 2024, the expert says there are many effective treatments available which can help counteract these changes. These include HRT (bioidentical and conventional), Platelet Rich Plasma, Hyaluronic acid injections and energy-based devices such as the ultrafemme 360 (radiofrequency).

However, it's worth pointing out that it's also totally okay to just let your vagina age naturally.

Considering you're literally pushing a tiny human being out of your vagina, it's pretty accurate to assume that the organ stretches during childbirth - which it does. But (the amazing human body strikes again), it won't always change dramatically after birth.

Dr Lakhani states: "The vagina is an incredibly elastic organ that is designed to accommodate different sizes and return to its baseline shape afterwards. It can grow in size to accommodate a penis or a baby, then contract afterwards."

If you've ever wondered if having a lot of sex, sleeping with someone with a big penis or using a large dildo will make you 'looser', the answer is actually yes. Temporarily, at least.

"Women who have had a partner with a particularly large penis or used large sex toys will find their vagina adapts to future sexual activity," says the doctor. "The biggest difference will be due to noticing less friction when changing partners afterwards."

However, she notes that "ageing and vaginal deliveries will have a much greater effect on the elastin and collagen in the vaginal wall, though."

Turns out, the vagina is a pretty resilient thing – and it's likely to return to its usual size eventually. Dr Lakhani notes that it's almost impossible for sex alone to permanently stretch the vagina. But, in some cases, although it won't expand for good, you may experience some soreness or small tears after sex which can be an illustration that the skin has stretched too much.

"While this isn't something to be concerned about, if you're suffering with discomfort every time you have sex, it's probably a good idea to reach out to your GP or a healthcare professional specialising in intimate health," the expert advises.

We've long been told the negative effects of washing our private parts with floral, scented, products. The vagina is a sensitive organ, so douching the area with your fave coconut shower gel can disrupt the pH balance and strip it of necessary bacteria.

Dr Lakhani adds: "One of the worst things that we can do to our vaginas that is widely believed to be helpful is to use perfumed products for cleansing. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and it doesn't need anything to be done to assist it in the cleaning process."

She concludes: "By over-cleansing with perfumed products or douching, you can disrupt this delicate balance. This leads to infections, the most common being bacterial vaginosis."

If you're worried about your vagina, vulva or any other part of your body for any reason, don't ignore it and see your GP or health care professional - there is never a need to feel ashamed of your body and the doctor will have seen (and heard) it all before.

Abigail Malbon

Abbi is a freelance journalist for various magazines and websites. She writes about everything from fashion and beauty to travel and entertainment. In her spare time she loves to scroll endlessly on Instagram, plan holidays that she’ll never go on and refresh the ASOS ‘new in’ page.

Sophie Williams

Freelance Journalist and Copywriter

Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader's Digest, ITV's Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.