Vagina Cervix

🛑 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻

Vagina Cervix
The Differences Between A Vagina & A Cervix
The Differences Between A Vagina & A Cervix
This website uses cookies to enhance the user experience. By using Yoppie you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
How do they work together each month? 
Got a vagina? What about a cervix? Or maybe you don’t have either but you’re curious to know what it all means? You’ve come to the right place. We hear and say these words a lot, but sometimes we use them interchangeably to mean pretty much the same thing; the bits inside that hole you stick your tampon in. But they’re actually two separate entities, and we’re here to break down the difference between the two. 
The word ‘ vagina ’ is usually used as a sort of umbrella term for all parts that make up the female genitalia, and more specifically people use it when they mean the vulva - the outer part of the sexual organs. The vulva includes the labia, the clitoris, the urethra, and the vaginal opening, which is where the vagina actually is. 
The vagina is the part where your period comes out, the part that you insert your tampon into, the part that stuff may go into during sex (penis, fingers, toys, etc.) and the part a baby comes out of during childbirth. It’s pretty multi-functional. 
The vagina is a muscular canal that expands and contracts as needed, with a squishy, flexible lining. This can produce natural lubrication during sex, and it connects to the uterus via the cervix. 
The cervix is the entryway to the uterus. It’s actually part of the uterus , but made up of different tissue, and is cylindrical in shape and around 2 inches long. You’ll find it at the very bottom of the uterus and the top of the vagina, and its role is to keep the uterus happy and healthy, to widen during childbirth so a baby can come out, and to allow menstrual blood from the uterus to enter the vagina. It’s also the gatekeeper for any sperm that want to swim up to the uterus to try fertilising an egg. 
When your GP is looking up at the cervix while doing your smear test, the part they see is called the ectocervix. It has an opening in the middle which is called the ‘external os’, and this opens when needed, such as when a baby comes out.
That magical cervical tube connects the uterus to the vagina, and this comes in handy each month when you have your period . The lining of your uterus thickens and - if an egg isn’t fertilised - eventually sheds in the form of tissue and blood, moving though your cervix and into your vagina. 
The cervix is super intuitive, and during pregnancy , it’s actually thick and closed. When it comes time to give birth, contractions draw the cervix up further into the uterus, and it thins and opens. This opening of the cervix is the part in the movies where doctors say “you’re dilated!”, and when it reaches about ten centimetres dilated, contractions help the baby move from the uterus through the cervix and down into the vagina, ready to be born. 
It can be hard to picture them when they’re inside your body. You may have experimented with looking at the opening of your vagina using a hand mirror, but if not, we recommend taking a look-see at what you’ve got going on down there. It’s not so easy to see inside the vagina, however, and the cervix is rarely seen - most of us will never even catch a glimpse. 
If we could see our full reproductive system outside of the body, we’d see that both the vagina and the cervix are generally cylinder shaped. Vagina shape varies from person to person though, with some more oval shaped. If you’re not squeamish, Women’s Health magazine has some fascinating (and rather graphic, be warned) photos of a cervix as it appears throughout the month - definitely check them out as they might surprise you. 
They pretty much take care of themselves. When it comes to the cervix , make sure you attend your cervical screening exam (every 3 years if you're aged 25-49, every 5 if you’re 50-64). This is where they test cells from your cervix to ensure everything is healthy in there. Many people put off doing this, but it can literally save your life as it catches any abnormal cells that can lead to cervical cancer - don’t skip this test! 
Other things you can do for a healthy cervix is to get your HPV vaccine which also protects against cervical cancer, practice safe sex , and get tested for STIs reguarly so you know everything is healthy. 
The vagina can be a tricky one, as there’s a bit more going on. You may be having sex, putting a tampon in there, and washing the outside (the vulva) with products in the shower. If you find you get any irritation or infections easily, you may want to try switching to a gentler product to clean - the vulva only, remember. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, so always avoid cleaning the inside by douching or using products in there. It takes care of itself. 
If you want to treat your vagina to even more of a good time, you can also try switching to organic period care , using a natural lubricant that suits your skin sensitivity, and always wearing breathable cotton underwear for a happy vagina.
Got a question about your cervix or vagina? Let us know what’s on your mind over in our private Facebook group or drop us a note on Insta @itsyoppie . Don't forget that our personalised period box can get organic tampons , PMS supplements and more delivered easily and regularly through your letterbox, so that's one load off your mind about everything going on down there!
© 2022 Yoppie is a registered trademark of YHPL Ltd




Posted on June 19, 2015 November 29, 2019 Last reviewed November 29, 2019


More good stuff
Vaginitis and vulvovaginitis Vaginitis and vulvovaginitis are simply the descriptive medical names given to inflammation of the vulva and/or vagina, for which there are a number of causes. ...
Chancroid Chancroid is an uncommon STI caused by a bacteria that causes painful genital sores, most commonly found in undeveloped countries. Testing is not standardised, but antibiotics cure it....
Molluscum contagiosum on the vulva The virus molluscum contagiosum causes little pearly bumps to appear on the vulva, but only a few weeks after contact with an infected person. Molluscum contagiosum will resolve eventually by itself, but it can take a long time. ...



USD $ 7.99 USD $ 0.00 ex GST/VAT/TAX


Latest posts by Jessica Lloyd - Naturopathic Practitioner, BHSc(N) ( see all )


This resource is not a substitute for your doctor. This resource is designed to increase your knowledge and empower you with your health options, not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We do our best as science loving, evidence-based health practitioners to provide accurate, correct information, but we cannot replace your real-life health professionals. My Vagina is run by qualified health professionals from Melbourne, Australia. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.
The cervix is the passage joining the vagina and uterus, made of cartilage, but with a thick layer of soft tissue encasing it. The cervix is about 4cm long but size varies with age and use, and individual variances.
The cervix is thought to be a sexually sensitive area, (theoretically) key in some types of orgasm. If you look at the cervix from the vagina, it looks like a doughnut.
The hole in the middle of the ‘doughnut’ is called the cervical os , with the vagina-end of the cervix called the ectocervix , and the uterine side the endocervix . The middle part is called the transformation zone .
The length and appearance of the cervix changes with your menstrual cycle, while giving birth, and after birth.
The cervix is the gatekeeper to the uterus and is necessary to allow or block entry and exit where necessary. The cervix opens and softens during ovulation to allow sperm to enter, but other times stays hard and closed, only allowing menstrual blood out.
When a woman gives birth vaginally, the cervix opens very wide so the baby can fit through it.
Before puberty, the endocervix is in the vaginal area of the cervix (some cervix is inside the actual vaginal canal), but it sneaks up with age.
The transformation zone is easily torn, as it is only one cell deep, meaning it can bleed easily, even after sex.
The cells in the transformation zone produce some of the fluids of the menstrual cycle and have a high cell turnover, which can make them prone to some forms of cancers.
As a woman ages, her cervical cells tend to be the more durable squamous epithelial cells, instead of the mucous-producing columnar epithelial cells.
This change in cells contributes to lower vaginal moisture levels with age. It is now understood that the columnar epithelial cells are the hub of infection transmission.
The columnar cells produce mucous that either promotes or inhibits pregnancy.
The size, texture and location of the cervix changes throughout the cycle, with the oestrogen surge just prior to ovulation causing the cervix to swell and soften, and the os (hole) to widen. This widened os allows sperm in, should there be any. 
Fertile cervical fluid, released near ovulation, is alkaline, and slippery-smooth like egg-white, providing a safe passage for sperm to get to the viable egg and extending the fertile period for up to five days.
Once ovulation is over progesterone levels increase and cause the cervix to harden, become closed and produce thicker cloudy mucous, a plug. This plug keeps sperm and bacteria out of the possibly-pregnant uterus, and keeps it hard and closed to protect the foetus.
This mucous plug is one of the ways that artificial hormone progestin (in birth control pills) works, acting as a barrier method. It is also why if labour is induced, the cervix must be forced to soften or complications may arise.
The younger you are, the redder your cervix will look. This red is a different red to the red of inflammation or infection. Usually up to about 25-years-old, the colour is a deeper red.
A normal cervix sees several incarnations during a menstrual cycle in terms of how it looks and behaves. 
A normal cervix is generally pink, smooth and shiny, more or less resembling your other mucous membranes, a la your mouth. This colouring is the same across the board of ethnicity, as we actually do all look the same on the inside.
The older you get, the paler pink your cervix becomes, however, those who are breastfeeding also have paler cervices.
At some parts of the cycle, a cervix may appear somewhat reddish or orange, and the cervical os (the middle of the hole) may be rough. This area is the transformation zone.
The tissue from inside the cervix makes up the endocervical canal . Sometimes hormones can cause the tissue to migrate to the outside of the cervix and appear to be making up a part of the cervix.
Reddish-orange tissues are therefore considered generally to be normal, along with the pink.
A bluey tinge is typical after 6-8 weeks of pregnancy and is called Chadwick’s Sign.
The transformation zone can increase in visibility due to hormonal changes related to pregnancy, oral contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs).
The cervix can also be more prominent while a speculum is inserted into the vagina, causing the cervix to pop out slightly. This popping out is called cervical eversion and the cervix should go back to normal as soon as the speculum is reversed back out of the vaginal canal.
The columnar epithelial cells will be darker than the other flesh around it and may have a grape-like or sea anemone look to it. There may also be blood vessels on the cervix surface.
Female sexuality is still a topic that is far from being fully understood, however, it is clear that the cervix may play a role in the female orgasm and sexual stimulation.
There are a variety of nerve endings that play different roles in the vaginal canal, with the idea of the ‘cervical orgasm’ being brought to life.
The understanding that the cervix may play a role in sexuality or even urinary function has meant increased incidence of supracervical hysterectomies, which means the surgical removal of the uterus with the cervix and ovaries being left intact.
Nabothian cysts are a normal finding and do not present a concern unless they are very large. 
Nabothian cysts are also known as mucinous retention cysts or epithelial cysts , and are benign features of the adult cervix, with multiple cysts possibly appearing at any given time.
These cysts present as similar to blisters since they are due to a blockage in the columnar epithelial cells of the cervix, which produce mucous. Cysts can be white or yellow, clear, from just millimetres to up to 4cm in diameter. 
Polyps might look like little dangling grapes and are generally benign, but need to be checked.

It is recommended that you start getting pap tests or HPV blood tests no later than three years after becoming sexually active, or no later than age 21. These tests are to check for changes to cervical cells, usually due to HPV (human papillomavirus) infection.
You can become infected with HPV just by skin-on-skin contact, and most people will be infected without knowing at some point. Everyone can get infected and now tested.
If you are over 65 or 70 and have had clear pap tests for the last three, you are considered out of the danger zone and don’t have to get pap tests anymore.
If you are over 30, you should be getting screened every one or two years, or at the recommendation of your practitioner.
There are guidelines in place for the different screening tests, and it’s better to be safe than sorry – cervical cancer can creep up quickly and show no symptoms.
You often won’t know you have cervical cancer until it’s too late. If you have a weakened immune system or HIV , screening is recommended every year.
Douching is bad news for your cervix, as it washes away your good bacteria that sit all over your vaginal and cervical cells, fighting off bacteria.
Study after study has found douching increases your risk of catching STIs, and that means it increases your risk of cervical cancer. HPV is an STI.
Naturally, the best way to avoid STIs is to never have sex (ha!). Make sure if you are having sex with more than one person between pap tests and STI checks, to use condoms.
If your options are not what they might be in life, you can protect your cervix with a diaphragm or cervical cap, as it keeps semen off your cervix directly and you can be in control of it: a male partner never needs to know it is even in there.
These protective sheilds can help to reduce STI and HIV transmission but are still being researched to see just how effective they are, considering the cervical cells seem to be the ones picking up most of the STIs.
This might sound impossible, but it’s not, though to be fair it isn’t the world’s simplest operation either.
You actually should know way more about your own junk than you do, and identifying early changes to your cervix may just save your life.
Self-examination doesn’t mean not getting a pap test, but check yourself out once or twice a year to keep on top of any changes, or just because it’s interesting! See our guide on self-examination of the cervix.
Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:

British Redhead Porn
Smoking Heels
Shemale Handjob Girl