Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Dolly Doctor

Don't Panic! Dolly Doctor Explains What A Normal Vagina Looks Like

In case you were wondering. - by Dolly Doctor
  • 21 Jan 2022

Ah puberty. A time where our bodies change, and our hormones wreak havoc on our moods. 

It's understandable to feel a little worried or heightened during this time, particularly if you feel like a change in your body isn't quite right. 

WATCH: 16 fascinating facts about the female anatomy

And if you've ever wondered whether those changes have somehow warped things down there, you're not alone. 

One anonymous reader voiced her concerns: "I have looked inside [my vagina] with a mirror and the hole where your period comes out of doesn't look normal — there is some skin in between the hole! Is this normal? What is it?"

Dolly Doctor is across it all, and she's here to give us all the 411 on what's normal and what's not-so-normal down there. 

 

millie-bobby-brown-shrug

Wondering what's going on down there? Dolly Doctor has you covered.

The first thing to remember? Don't panic! Dolly Doctor confirms that everything sounds completely normal. 

It's great that our reader felt comfortable using a mirror to try to see and understand what's happening, particularly in the genital area - we recommend all girls do this if they can, there's really nothing to be afraid of!  

The "hole where your period comes out" is your vagina.

In the female anatomy there are three holes in the genital area: the vagina is the biggest, the urethra is where urine comes out and it's above the vagina and under the clitoris.

The third hole is the anus, which is around towards the back and is of course where poo comes out.

The vagina is a muscular "tube" that is normally "collapsed down".

When you look at it in a mirror it may not even look much like a hole. You can spread apart your inner labia (inner lips of the vagina) and get a closer look, you can even gently insert a finger to see whether you're noticing a flap of skin or whether the walls of the vagina are just closed together.

vagina-diagram

A detailed explanation of the parts of the female anatomy.

Right at the opening of the vagina sits the hymen, which is a piece of skin-like tissue and this is what you might be seeing.

All girls and women will notice something a bit skin-like if they look closely. The hymen has a hole in the middle of it which grows and stretches as you grow, especially during puberty.

Usually with the use of tampons the hymen simply stretches without any problem, If your hymen is particularly thick, and the hole in it isn't stretching as easily, you might have a bit of resistance to inserting a tampon.

RELATED: A Handy, Fail-Proof Guide To The Vagina... 'Cos School Doesn't Teach You Everything

labia

It can take a little practice and time to start using tampons - but it's easy when you've got the hang of it!

Try inserting a clean finger right inside your vagina, and try a small tampon, while using the mirror, to see whether you can gently stretch this area.

You can use Vaseline or lubricant to assist (though don't when you actually have your period).

The difficulty you find inserting tampons may have nothing to do with the hymen, as most girls do need time and practise before they can use tampons easily.

Often it's more to do with inserting the tampon in the right direction — up and back towards your belly button (you might need to lie down, or to stand straight up with one knee bent and that leg up on a chair, or squat).

And of course if after all of this you still think that the piece of skin you've noticed is obstructing the entrance of your vagina, you can get it quickly and easily checked by your doctor.

Got a question for Dolly Doctor? Send us an email and we'll get it answered! dollydoctor@aremedia.com.au

Hey girl! Want more fashion, beauty, health and pop culture news from Girlfriend?

Follow us on Instagram @girlfriendmag & turn ON our post notifications in the top right-hand corner of our IG profile so you never miss a post

Remember to add our homepage to your favourites https://www.girlfriend.com.au/

& click here for our newsletter link for all your GF updates!

  • Life and Advice
  • Dolly Doctor

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

All Your Pap Smear Questions Answered

All Your Pap Smear Questions Answered

This Is Why You Should NEVER Share A Razor

This Is Why You Should NEVER Share A Razor

When Can Aussie Teens Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? We’ve Got All The Answers

When Can Teens Get Vaccinated? We’ve Got Answers

Battle of the bras: How to fix these common bra struggles

Battle of the bras: How to fix these common bra struggles

{headline}

{headline}

Dolly Doctor: Yep, There Are Nine Different Types Of Boobs

Dolly Doctor: Yep, There Are Nine Different Types Of Boobs

The Iconic Dolly Doctor Dr Melissa Kang Is Back, And This Time She's Tackling Consent

The Iconic Dolly Doctor Dr Melissa Kang Is Back, And This Time She's Tackling Consent

Giving a voice to the silent disorder Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Giving a voice to the silent disorder Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

{headline}

{headline}

Tossing Up Whether To Get The IUD? Here's What The Docs Say

Tossing Up Whether To Get The IUD? Here's What The Docs Say

World Sleep Day: Our best sleep hygiene tips

World Sleep Day: Our best sleep hygiene tips

"That's such a silly myth." Your OG Dolly Doctor Melissa Kang answers your questions about boobs

"That's such a silly myth." Your OG Dolly Doctor Melissa Kang answers your questions about boobs

Should it hurt to take out a tampon? Dolly Doctor has the answer

Should it hurt to take out a tampon? Dolly Doctor has the answer

How To Safely Navigate TikTok's Toxic Pro-Anorexia Content

How To Safely Navigate TikTok's Toxic Pro-Anorexia Content

Ah, This Is *Actually* Why Your Boobs Hurt During Your Period

Ah, This Is *Actually* Why Your Boobs Hurt During Your Period

Circling Back T0 Your Menstrual Cycle To Find Out What's Actually Happening In Your Body

Circling Back T0 Your Menstrual Cycle To Find Out What's Actually Happening In Your Body

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%