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After seeing your body change duringpregnancy, its totally normal to also ponder the state of yourvaginaafter birth.
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Are things going to be OK down there?
Will it be forever changed?
How does one’s vagina fare after a C-section vs. a vaginal delivery?
And why isn’t there a pamphlet or something for all this?
Now, it’s true that pushing a tiny human out of a much tinier hole has an impact.
But for most people, it may not be as bad or permanent as youve heard.
Whilechildbirthis no picnic for your nether regions, your vagina can handle it.
Period., tells SELF.
So what, exactly, can you expect?
If you give birth vaginally, here are some changes you might experience in your vagina after birth.
Your vagina may be drier for a while.
When yourepregnant, elevated levels of certain hormones, including estrogen, are coursing through your body.
Then, after you give birth, your estrogen drops, which can lead to dryness.
Estrogen helps to keep your vaginal tissue moist with a clear lubricating fluid, according to theU.S.
National Library of Medicine.
All of this can make it much drier than normal in your vagina after birth, Dr. Shepherd says.
If youre notbreastfeeding, your vaginal moisture may go back to normal within a few weeks.
Once you stop nursing, your vagina should go back to its normal and hydrated state pretty quickly.
Depending on your situation, they may have OTC recommendations.
National Library of Medicine.
Your vagina (and possibly perineum) will be sore as hell.
Your perineum is the area between your vagina and anus.
Though its not specifically a part of your vagina,it can also tearduring a vaginal delivery.
With that said, perineal tearing isnt a guarantee.
Then there’s the poop factor.
Your discharge gets so heavy you basically need to wear a diaper.
Welcome to the wild world of lochia.
It typically goes from an intense red color to a kind of pink orbrown huebefore eventually becoming yellowish.
TheCleveland Clinicdescribes thesmellas “a stale, musty odor like menstrual discharge.”
All of this is perfectly natural, Dr. Dweck says.
You could have some scar tissue in your vagina.
But if you find that its not getting better with time, talk to your doctor.
Some women need surgery to remove the scar tissue and address the pain, Dr. Shepherd says.
Your period may get heavieror lighter.
It may take some time for yourperiodto come back after childbirth.
(Having lochia after childbirth isn’t the same thing as having an actual period.)
This is especially true if you’re breastfeeding, which causes low levels of estrogen that can hampermenstruation.
When you do start getting yourperiodagain, it may be lighter or heavier than before.
Your vagina after pregnancy may be a bit wider (or it may not be).
The result: Your vagina might be slightly wider than it was in the past.
Sometimes, atamponis actually the giveaway.
A physical therapist dedicated to strengthening muscles in your pelvis may be able to help.
Kegel exercisesmay help reinforce your pelvic floor and combat urinary incontinence, Dr. Ross says.
Your orgasms may also change, depending on how your pelvic floor has changed.
During orgasm, the muscles of the vagina and uterusproduce powerful, rhythmic contractions.
But all hope isnt lost!
Your vulva might be a different color.
They might see blotches of darker pigmentation, she explains.
