Wet Vagina As Explained By Doctors (Yes, It's Totally Normal)

Many people with a vagina often wonder what is normal when it comes to vaginal fluid. Do I have too much? Too little? Should I be concerned? And for some people, these questions are never verbalized because talking about vaginas can be associated with feelings of discomfort, shyness, and embarrassment.

But vaginal health is part of our health too. So let's start destigmatizing this topic by looking at some basic facts.

Vaginas are physically made to produce fluid. The vaginal mucus you may experience as wetness has a purpose, well several actually. Vaginal mucus moisturizes the genital tract and provides lubrication during sexual intercourse, among other things. And so a wet vagina is actually a totally normal thing.

Here's what you need to know about wet vaginas, including whether or not one can be too wet.

What Makes a Vagina Wet?

Vaginal moisture is a completely normal process. "It's caused by fluid produced by cells within the vaginal wall," Rebecca C. Brightman, MD, a gynecologist in private practice in New York City and an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Health.

Cervical mucus adds to the moisture, and an increase in blood flow to the vagina during sexual arousal can also boost the wetness factor.

"States of arousal where the vagina becomes more engorged due to an increase in blood supply to the region will result in increased lubrication," Angela Jones, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN, told Health. "Estrogen replacement therapy often used to treat vaginal dryness related to the menopausal state, can also increase vaginal moisture."

OK, So Can a Vagina Be Too Wet?

Basically, no—vaginal moisture varies from one person to another. "There's no such thing as too wet," said Dr. Brightman. And, like many bodily functions, what's normal for one vagina might not be normal for the next.

How wet and moist a vagina is or becomes depends on a number of things, specifically hormone levels and fluctuations, said Dr. Jones. "Women in menopause have less lubricated [or] moist vaginas due to low estrogen states," explained Dr. Jones. "Depending on where someone is in their menstrual cycle will also affect how moist or wet a vagina is."

Around ovulation, there can be more discharge of a thinner consistency that can leave the vagina feeling wetter. In addition, pregnant people often have a heavier discharge. "Some people may develop heavier discharge that is not due to infection or other reasons for concern, for instance, changes in diet, exercise, or even some medications," Candice Fraser, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN at Juno Medical in New York, told Health.

When Should You Be Concerned About Wetness?

If you experience an extreme change in your own baseline wetness, it could be a sign of other conditions, such as a vaginal infection. A sudden change in wetness or extra vaginal discharge that goes on for a few days, doesn't seem to be related to your menstrual cycle, and is accompanied by other symptoms like itching or odor should be examined by a gynecologist ASAP.

These symptoms could be an indication of a number of things, including an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, called bacterial vaginosis; a yeast infection; or trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a gynecologist because, as Dr. Fraser pointed out, self-diagnosing and self-medicating can only make things worse. Otherwise, vaginas are supposed to be wet. "Go with it and enjoy it!" said Dr. Jones.

What if Your Vagina Is Actually Dry?

While a wet vagina is usually not a cause for concern, vaginal dryness is a common issue, and usually, there's an explanation. "Conditions where estrogen levels are low—such as postpartum and after menopause—can create dryness," said Dr. Brightman. (Postpartum means after childbirth. Menopause is when you stop getting your period and usually starts between ages 45 and 55.)

"Occasionally, some women on oral contraceptives complain of dryness as these can cause a low estrogen state in the vagina. Also, some infections may create a sensation of dryness, like yeast infections," added Dr. Brightman.

Various medications, like antidepressants and antihistamines, can also cause your vagina to be drier than usual.

For relief from vaginal dryness, Dr. Brightman recommended vaginal moisturizers (creams, gels, and suppositories), which are available over the counter. For moisture as well as lubrication, try coconut oil, vegetable oils, aloe, and vitamin E.

Lubricants can help to make sexual intercourse more comfortable, whether you experience extreme vaginal dryness or not. If vaginal dryness is caused by decreased estrogen, vaginal estrogen creams, suppositories, tablets, rings, and even oral tablets are available to help.

Summary

How wet a vagina gets varies from person to person, and there are a variety of factors.

At the end of the day, it's important to normalize conversations about the vagina and how it behaves. "Vagina is not a bad word, and it's important that we become more comfortable discussing things like wetness and dryness, not only with our doctors but with [others who have vaginas]," said Dr. Fraser.

"With more discussion, we begin to learn from each other's experiences to know what is likely normal and what isn't."