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These documents are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ask Dr. Cullins: Relationships



Q:  My boyfriend gets upset that sometimes my vagina is looser than other times. He thinks I'm cheating, but I'm not. What's going on?

A:  Here are five possibilities:

1. Women's vaginas are less elastic when they are not sexually aroused. They become more elastic — "looser" — the more sexually excited they become. A woman may feel "tighter" to a man when she is less aroused, less comfortable, and having less pleasure than her partner.

2. Hormonal shifts during a woman's menstrual cycle affect vaginal secretions and may affect vaginal elasticity. She may feel "looser" on certain days of her cycle than on others.

3. Certain drugs, such as antihistamines or marijuana, may make the walls of the vagina feel dry so they seem "tighter."

4. A woman's vagina may feel tighter or looser in different positions for intercourse.

5. Some men tend to be anxious about their sexual performance. Some have an exaggerated sense of jealousy. It's always best to discuss such problems with a partner or with a professional. But some men may put the blame on their partners because they are unable to recognize their own insecurities.



This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.




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