Performing a vaginal self-exam at home can help you familiarize yourself with your own body, as all vaginas are different. It can also help you identify changes and abnormalities. A gynecologist can check you for symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases STDs and perform a Pap smear test to screen for cervical cancer. Here are the symptoms you can look out for and discuss with a gynecologist at your next appointment. Their purpose is to protect and enclose the external genital organs.

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You and your vag have been through a lot together: Your first tampon, your first relationship, your first orgasm. But how much do you actually know about her? Well, it's time to get reacquainted with your homegirl's fun quirks. Let's do this! Not every woman is born with a hymen. That thin membrane partially covering the entrance to the vagina isn't guaranteed, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. And even if you were born with one, playing sports as a kid, using tampons, or random medical procedures can "break" it.
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Vaginas — or more accurately, vulvas, and all their components — come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. They even have different smells. And unless your normal involves pain or discomfort , everything is likely fine. Still unsure?
It is common to wonder whether the color or consistency of vaginal discharge is normal or needs to be checked out. Vaginal discharge can be many colors, and several indicate a healthy body. In this article, we provide a color-coded guide to vaginal discharge.