What happens inside the vagina during intercourse?

Answer 1

The inside of the vagina is almost like that stretchy soft fabric that falls in "folds". When not in use, the vaginal walls come closer together, but in folds. As the penis presses against the vaginal opening, it slightly stretches. As a woman gets excited, fluid begins to form in the vagina.

Depending on whether a woman has had sex before or had a baby, being entered can cause a moment of pain (or can be quite comfortable). If she is excited, it will be easier for the penis to enter. The head of the penis pushes along the "folds" of the vaginal walls, which "hug" the penis as it moves inward. A large or long penis may accidentally strike the cervix---this can cause pain because it jars the uterus and ovaries (men should avoid hitting the cervix--it can cause the tissue to erode, which means the woman will need to have the cervix treated). As the penis pulls back toward the outside, the walls of the vagina (in places) still "hugs" the penis---this causes (usually pleasant) sensations in the vagina. But if the woman is not lubricated enough for intercourse, this can cause friction between the penis and vaginal tissues, making a burning "hurting" sensation.

Most of the pleasant, exciting, sensations in the vagina, though, is the sense of fullness and pressure. The body movements of both persons overshadows many of the smaller sensations--unless the man has become more expert at slowly moving, entering and withdrawing in smaller increments, almost as a "teasing" movement. In addition, when the clitoris and breasts are also being stimulated, the woman's focus is not as much on vaginal sensations but the overall effects of being stimulated in multiple areas.

When a man ejaculates, there is no sensation except wetness. If the ejaculate is more acidic (acid base imbalance), it can slightly burn. With male ejaculation, the woman may still be sexually excited especially if she did not orgasm---so she and her vagina want the fullness, pressure, and pleasant sensations to continue. The vaginal walls may involuntarily but randomly "squeeze", since the vagina is partly muscle. So while a man may want to withdraw after ejaculation, a woman might want the penis to remain in the vagina for a couple minutes.

However, if she wasn't lubricated enough, wasn't excited when entered, or experienced pain, she may want the man to withdraw quickly.

After male ejaculation, even before the penis is withdrawn, the ejaculate begins to seep out the vagina as the man loses his erection. This leakage can feel icky. Ejaculate is sticky, cools quickly, and so doesn't feel good on the outside--especially since women are taught from girlhood to keep themselves clean. The woman may want to get cleaned up.

As the penis is withdrawn, the vaginal walls "fold" back into itself (not flat like a balloon, but like fabric that ruffles around itself). Withdrawal can cause exciting sensations for a woman (especially if still aroused), or it can "pull" on vaginal tissues, burn, and in general, feel irritating. If the sexual activity left "rug burn" from rubbing pelvic hair or from a beard/mustache during oral sex, the woman is most apt after sexual intercourse is completed to notice the pain symptoms that friction can cause. The outside of the vagina or vulva can be sore like rug burn, or sore in the tissues and muscles if the man was too forceful. The outside area may feel to the woman hot, like when you cut a finger; it can feel swollen; look reddened or more purplish than usual. The vaginal opening can feel "sore" as well--like when a person has chapped lips and yawns widely---it hurts.

These "bad sex" symptoms may persist several days even if the woman never tells the guy. Women, however, should tell her partner about bad sex symptoms; ask the man to be more careful and less forceful; to use more lubricant; to avoid movements or activities that can cause friction injuries.