Doctor who sees 'about 35 vaginas a day' says they can never be 'too big'

Ever wondered if your vagina is normal?

Dr Heather Rupe, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, from Tennessee, US, is on a mission to reassure women about their genitals.

The doctor, who revealed she sees about "35 vaginas a day", discussed the female parts to those worried about down there.

She wrote a piece for WebMD where she admitted "they come in all shapes and sizes".

The expert said: "As someone who sees about 35 vaginas a day, I can assure you that they come in all shapes and sizes.

"Life, childbirth, weight gain, sexual activity, gravity, and hormonal changes can have an effect, but is this a problem?

"Can a vagina be too big? If a woman hasn't had an exceptionally difficult vaginal birth or any type of vaginal surgery, then no."

Dr Heather said the vagina, which is the canal between the womb and the opening, is about four inches long and three inches wide.

Meanwhile Dr Suzy Elneil, consultant at University College Hospital in London, claimed "vaginas are completely individual.

She wrote on the NHS website: "No two are the same. Vaginas vary in shape, size and colour.

"Some are small and egg-shaped, some are large and cylindrical, and the colours vary from light pink to a deep brownish red-pink.

"The important thing is that the vagina functions normally."

Dr Suzy also revealed the labia, which are the lips on the outside, part of the vulva, also come in all shapes and sizes.

It's important for women to never compare their genitals as it could get bigger during sex and for childbirth.

Even after pregnancy, Dr Heather said "most revert back to normal quite quickly".

In other words it's a myth to say that the vagina can be "loose", regardless of how much sex a woman has.

It's also worth noting the woman can naturally change over time due to age, especially from around 45 due to menopause.

There are ways to keep the vagina "in shape", like doing pelvic floor muscles which strengthen the muscles around the area.

The NHS says keeping these muscles strong will help you hold urine and even make sex better.

To feel your pelvic floor muscles you can do this by stopping the flow of urine when you're using the toilet.

Pregnant women are told to start these exercises immediately to protect the muscles from becoming lax after childbirth.

Dr Heather also warned against using any products that claim to tighten the vagina.

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She said: "Do not use any type of over-the-counter vaginal 'tightening sticks' or 'herbal remedies' to try to tighten your vagina.

"These work by causing irritation to the vagina that induces swelling.

"I have seen patients with severe vaginal burns from these products requiring hospitalisation."

If childbirth has damaged your pelvic floor or you're having any concerns, consult your gynaecologist.