Patient's question:
After many years of marriage, I haven't had any children. I truly feel ashamed of disappointing my hometown parents. When I went to the hospital, a young and beautiful doctor checked me and said that during intercourse, I entered the urethra instead of the vagina. I was so embarrassed that I turned around and ran. After calming down, I realized I forgot to ask where the vagina was.Staying up late at night under the light, I still had to take the legal route. I feel so ashamed. I can only secretly ask for advice here. Doctors, friends, and true brothers who have experienced this—please explain it in detail. I really appreciate it.
Doctor's answer:
Hello: The vagina is above the urethra, and the urethra is below the vagina. The vagina is located between the bladder, urethra, and rectum, forming a slightly flattened muscular tube with great elasticity. It is situated centrally at the outlet of the small pelvis and serves as a direct, slightly flattened muscular tube connecting the internal and external genitalia (uterus and vulva). Normally, the anterior and posterior walls are in contact, forming a fissure-like structure. The upper end is wider and connects to the vaginal portion of the cervix, encircling the cervix and forming a ring-shaped groove, which is referred to as the anterior, posterior, left, and right fornices. Among these, the posterior fornix is the deepest, making the posterior wall of the vagina (10–12 cm) longer than the anterior wall (7–9 cm). The anterior wall is adjacent to the bladder and urethra, while the upper part of the posterior wall is adjacent to the deep of the recto-uterine pouch, the middle part is the rectum, and the lower part is separated from the anus by the perineal body, a fibrous tissue structure.The apex of the posterior fornix is the recto-uterine pouch, which is the lowest point in the abdominal cavity. The posterior fornix is the primary site for the accumulation of semen after sexual intercourse, often referred to as the vaginal pool, which facilitates the entry of sperm into the uterine cavity.
The vaginal orifice is located in the rhomboid gap between the labia minora at the posterior part of the vaginal vestibule. Its shape and size vary greatly among individuals. If the vaginal orifice is narrow, it may cause difficulties during intercourse. In virgins, the vaginal orifice is covered by a ring-shaped mucosal fold called the hymen. This thin, membrane-like tissue contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerve endings, which can partially seal the vagina. The inner edge of the hymen is sharp and intact, and the hymen of unmarried women appears light red. The hymen is usually not completely sealed, with a small opening to allow menstrual blood to flow out after puberty. The shape, size, and thickness of the opening can vary from person to person. In unmarried individuals, the hymen opening is typically crescent-shaped or elliptical but can also be sieve-shaped, radiating, fish-mouth-shaped, or other forms. Its size also varies, with some openings so small that they cannot accommodate a finger, while others are large enough to fit two fingers. The hymen is generally about 2 mm thick and often tears during the first sexual intercourse, though exceptions occur. Some hymens are excessively narrow or thin, which may tear during exercise, vibration, or the insertion of a menstrual.