PCOS What Is the Vagina? By Nicole Galan, RN facebook twitter linkedin Nicole Galan, RN, is a registered nurse and the author of "The Everything Fertility Book." Learn about our editorial process Nicole Galan, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on April 13, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology. She is a clinical assistant professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD on April 13, 2020 Print The vagina is an elastic, yet muscular canal that is approximately nine to 10 centimeters in length. The upper part of the vagina connects to the cervix, which opens into the uterus, and the lower part opens to the outside of the body. It lies between the urethra (which connects to the bladder) and the rectum. Science Picture Co/Subjects/Getty Images During sexual intercourse, the vagina lengthens, widens and engorges with blood as it prepares to accept the penis. Additionally, the vagina serves as a passageway for cervical mucus, menstrual fluid and other secretions out of the body. During childbirth, the baby is pushed from the uterus out of the body, also through the vaginal canal. Self-Cleaning Mechanism It is important to know that the vagina is self-cleaning. Some women feel the need to douche or clean the vagina using sprays or deodorants. Not only is that unnecessary, but it can actually harm your vaginal health. The vagina maintains its self-cleaning property in a few ways. Its slightly acidic environment prevents most bacteria from living in it. Douching or cleaning the vagina can alter the pH, making it more susceptible to bacterial or fungal infections. In addition, the tissue lining in the vagina is thickened after puberty and until menopause, which also helps prevent bacterial colonization. Imbalance The bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus is normally found in the vaginal tissue, and it helps to stabilize the pH at its natural acidic level. Anything that disturbs these bacteria (like antibiotics or high blood sugar) can also increase your risk for vaginal yeast infection. Eating yogurt with natural cultures or taking an L. acidophilus probiotic supplement during antibiotic usage may be helpful in preventing an infection. Of course, talk to your doctor to make sure that this is appropriate for you. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are prone to insulin resistance, which leads to high blood sugar and can set the stage for a vaginal yeast infection. Excess sugar in the body is excreted through urination, which can quickly feed small yeast colonies, turning them into uncomfortable infections. Symptoms of a yeast infection include itching, pain and an odorless discharge that is either clear and watery or thick, white and clumpy like cottage cheese. Keeping your blood sugar at healthy levels and wearing underwear made from a natural fiber, like cotton, in addition to taking probiotics, can help keep yeast infections at bay. If you find yourself having recurring yeast infections, talk to your doctor to rule out other conditions, like a bacterial infection. Dryness At some point in every woman's life, she will experience vaginal dryness, which can make intercourse uncomfortable. While vaginal dryness is most common in menopausal women, certain medications—including some fertility drugs and antihistamines—can interfere with vaginal moisture. There are numerous treatments for vaginal dryness, including hormone treatments, vaginal laser treatments, local radiofrequency treatments, and moisturizing suppositories. Many women find simply using a lubricant such as KY Jelly during sex can ease the pain of vaginal dryness. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Office on Women's Health. Douching. Updated April 1, 2019. Bertuccini L, Russo R, Iosi F, Superti F. Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus on bacterial vaginal pathogens. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2017;30(2):163–167. doi:10.1177/0394632017697987 Moghetti P. Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome. Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(36):5526-5534. doi:10.2174/1381612822666160720155855 Office on Women's Health. Vaginal yeast infections. Updated April 1, 2019. Edwards D, Panay N. Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition? Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151–161. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259