There are lots of myths and misconceptions about the vagina. Most people believe that vaginas can loose it elasticity and become loose forever - But that is actually wrong, not true at all. Your vagina is elastic in nature hence, it can stretches in order to accommodates things that comes inside and after that, it relaxes and go back to its original state.
However, your vagina may become slightly looser as you age or have children, but overall, the muscles expand and retract just like a rubber band that returns to it original state after being stretched.
Factors that may affect the vagina elasticity
Age
You may begin to see a change in your vagina’s elasticity starting in your 40s. That’s because your estrogen levels will begin to drop as you enter the perimenopausal stage.
A loss of estrogen means your vaginal tissue will become:
. thinner
. drier
. less acidic
. less stretchy or flexible
These changes may become more noticeable once you reach full menopause.
Childbirth
It’s natural for your vagina to change after a vaginal delivery. After all, your vaginal muscles stretch in order to let your baby pass through the birth canal and out of your vagina’s entrance.
After your baby is born, you may notice that your vagina feels slightly looser than its use to be. However, that is completely normal. Your vagina should start to snap back a few days after giving birth, although it may not return to its original shape completely.
If you’ve had multiple childbirths, your vaginal muscles are more likely to lose a little bit of elasticity. If you’re uncomfortable with this, there are exercises you can do to strengthen your vaginal floor muscles before, during, and after pregnancy.
How to strengthen your vaginal muscles
Pelvic exercises are a great way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Here are some exercises you can try:
Kegel exercises
First, you need to identify your pelvic floor muscles. To do so, stop midstream while you’re peeing. If you succeed, you figured out the right muscles.
Once you do, follow these steps:
. Pick a position for your exercises. Most people prefer lying on their back for Kegels.
. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, relaxing for another 5 seconds.
. Repeat this step at least 5 times in a row.
As you build up strength, increase the time to 10 seconds. Try not to tighten your thighs, abs, or butt during Kegels. Just focus on your pelvic floor.
For the best results, practice 3 sets of Kegels 5 to 10 times a day. You should see results within a few weeks.
Pelvic tilt exercises
To strengthen your vaginal muscles using a pelvic tilt exercise:
. Stand with your shoulders and butt against a wall. Keep both of your knees soft.
. Pull your bellybutton in toward your spine. When you do this, your back should flatten against the wall.
. Tighten your bellybutton for 4 seconds, then release.
. Do this 10 times, for up to 5 times a day.
Vaginal cones
You can also strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by using a vaginal cone. This is a weighted, tampon-sized object that you put in your vagina and hold.
To do this:
. Insert the lightest cone into your vagina.
. Squeeze your muscles. Hold it in place for about 15 minutes, twice a day.
. Increase the weight of the cone you use as you become more successful in holding the cone in place in your vagina.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
NMES can help strengthen your vaginal muscles by sending an electric current through your pelvic floor using a probe. The electrical stimulation will cause your pelvic floor muscles to contract and relax.
You can use a home NMES unit or have your doctor perform the treatment. A typical session lasts 20 minutes. You should do this once every four days, for a few weeks.