4 Myths About Your V That Just Aren't True

Yeah that whole pineapple thing is total BS.

Red rose
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Myth #1: Pineapples will make you taste better

Whether you got this one from Rick Ross's "Diced Pineapples" or just heard it through the grapevine, this myth has to be one of the most pop-culturally popular. And we're sorry to report that it's entirely untrue. "There's actually never been any food that's been proven to make anyone's vagina taste better," says Dr. Melissa Keene, clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. But hey, pineapples are yummy, so you know, who cares.

Myth #2: Vaginas should all look the same

"This is so not true, and I think it's one of the most important things for women to know," Dr. Keene asserts. "Labial lips vary in every single patient, but it's all considered normal, beautiful anatomy." In recent years there's been a surge in labiaplasties, surgical procedures to shorten the labia to make them, theoretically, "more attractive." But as Dr. Keene says, all labia are normal labia. So there.

Myth #3: You should actively clean it

Vaginal washes alter your body's natural pH and change your vagina's normal, healthy environment—so stick to the basics. "When you wash, you want to use a gentle soap and water," says Dr. Keene. "And then whatever your natural smell is, that's what it's supposed to be."

While it may be hard to forego our feminine products and stick to the natural stuff, it's also important to be aware of what isn't your natural smell. Dr. Keene says that a persistent fishy odor, for example, can be a sign of a bacterial infection that requires treatment.

Myth #4: Too much sex will stretch you out

This is clearly a myth to scare women into chastity, right? Right?! Well, we say no more patriarchy! Dr. Keene assures that noticeable vaginal changes occur only after a woman gives birth. Think about it. A baby comes outta there. No man can rival that.

Simedar Jackson

Simedar Jackson is an esthetician, content creator, and lover of sci-fi fiction living in Brooklyn, New York. She is passionate about creating space for Black and Brown people in the beauty and wellness industries by providing access to culturally nuanced education and services that meet their needs. You can find them doing their skincare routine, reminding friends to reapply SPF, and watching reruns of Love Island.