Strange things that people used to believe about vaginas, because vagina myths run deep.
I don’t know much about the female reproductive system, but I definitely know enough to be dangerous. I also know enough to say that there are plenty of things people used to believe about coochies that just isn’t true. It makes sense if you think about it, since most modern women have never even really looked at their vagina. A certain mystique has existed about vaginas since the dawn of cooter-dom, so it is definitely high time we put a few of these rumors to rest.
Women can’t get pregnant unless the sex is consensual. Also known as Bill Cosby’s personal mantra, it is untrue that a woman cannot get pregsy if she doesn’t consent to sex, even though former House Representative Todd Akin revived this myth in 2012. 13th Century British legal text states that ‘without a woman’s consent, she could not conceive’ although this was likely meant to invalidate rape claims from poor British ladies. Sigh, vagina myths.
Educated women have ruined wombs. Harvard Medical faculty member Henry H. Clark spent his career trying to prove that a woman’s brain couldn’t handle the same strain as a mans. Back in the day scientists thought that over-developing the female brain would cause the uterus to shrivel up. So basically going to college is the equivalent of getting your tubes tied, except with more liquor and date rape.
READ MORE: The Poison Vagina
Some vaginas have teeth. Vagina dentata is a myth everyone has heard about, as it exists in cultural folklore everywhere from Russia to India. To be honest, though I do believe this is possible since there is documented evidence of tumors with teeth growing inside other human orifices.
Asian women have horizontal vaginas. This myth was originally considered racist humor amongst men that visited Chinese prostitutes in mid 1800s California. As someone who came out of an Asian vagina, I can tell you it isn’t true.
Period blood is dangerous for men. Historically, many cultures have considered menstrual blood harmful to men, even dating back to first century Roman documents. Apparently this is how period shaming began. While it is true women themselves can be dangerous to men during their periods, their menstrual blood is not.
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