Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock
Topics: Health, Sex and Relationships
Niamh Shackleton
If you've ever wondered exactly what happens to the female body in the lead up to having sex, then we've got all the answers for you.
Sex is a very natural part of life and, away from enjoyment purposes, we (of course) need sex to be able to procreate.
For two people to be able to successfully procreate in a traditional sense, semen must enter the woman's body.
But in the run-up to doing the deed, a woman's body will start preparing itself in different ways.
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Blood flow increases to the genitals, making the clitoris swell, and it also becomes more sensitive. The vagina also swells and its walls turn a darker colour, according to WebMD.
Sex can even temporarily alter the appearance of your breasts, which can look fuller with more prominent veins.
Dr Judith Holmes of Spire Parkway Hospital told Pall Mall Medical: "Having sex temporarily alters the shape and appearance of your breasts due to changes in blood circulation.
"The breasts may look and feel fuller and more pert, and the veins may become more easily visible through the skin surface."
The release of oxytocin, sometimes called the 'love hormone', causes the nipples to harden.
Dr Holmes adds: "In addition, the muscles behind the breast contract causing the areola to tighten and create a goose bump-like effect on the skin."
For anyone who has has vaginal sex, you'll know that the vagina needs to be lubricated for the penis to go in. There's artificial lubricants that can help with this, but the vagina creates its own natural lubricant too.
A video posted on YouTube by Dr.Smurf shows how the body makes its own natural lubrication via the bartholin glands.
The small glands, which measure about 0.5cm, connect to the entrance to the vagina via 2cm ducts, which are located between the hymen and labia minora.
The lubrication is created to prevent friction between the penis and vagina - which I'm sure we can all agree isn't something any of us really want to experience.
It can be possible that a woman's body stops producing this much-needed lubricant, however. This is something which usually happens as you get older and when you hit the menopause.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AGOG) explains: "After and around the time of menopause, your body makes less estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that helps maintain the vagina’s lubrication, elasticity, and thickness.
"Low levels of estrogen can cause thinning, drying, and inflammation of vaginal walls. This is called vaginal atrophy."
It isn't all menopause related though and can sometimes happen after childbirth when estrogen levels may drop. This might also occur during breastfeeding, during cancer treatment, and if someone is taking anti-estrogen drugs.
"Then there are non-hormonal factors," the AGOG further notes. "Cold and allergy medications and some antidepressants can dry out vaginal tissue. Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune condition that can cause a dry mouth and eyes, also can cause vaginal dryness."
It's advised that if you're experiencing vaginal dryness that you dry over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants.