Cite this Response
Alice! Health Promotion. "How deep is the average vagina, and does it elongate when something's in it?." Go Ask Alice!, Columbia University, 28 May. 2025, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/how-deep-average-vagina-and-does-it-elongate-when-somethings-it. Accessed 05, Jun. 2025.
Alice! Health Promotion. (2025, May 28). How deep is the average vagina, and does it elongate when something's in it?. Go Ask Alice!, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/how-deep-average-vagina-and-does-it-elongate-when-somethings-it.
Dear Alice,
I was wondering about the depth of the vagina. I've read statistics that say that the average vagina is only 3 to 4 inches deep. This seems way too small to me, since the average penis is considerably longer than that. Wouldn't that mean that most penises would crash into the cervix repeatedly during intercourse? Since this obviously doesn't happen, my question is this: does the vagina actually elongate during intercourse to accommodate the entire length of the average penis?
Dear Reader,
This isn’t stretching facts—the vagina can elongate during intercourse to accommodate most average sized penises or toys. Read on for to learn more about how the vaginal canal elongates and ways to minimize discomfort during vaginal sex.
Does the vaginal canal elongate when you're aroused?
Yes, the vaginal canal expands in two ways during sexual arousal. First, the cervix, which is located at the top of the vaginal canal and closes the vaginal canal off from the uterus, lifts farther away from the vaginal opening. This leaves more room in the vaginal canal so that it can accommodate penetration. Second the vaginal canal is naturally elastic—imagine the vaginal canal as a wall with wrinkled tissues. When blood flows to the vulva (the external genitalia) during arousal, these wrinkled tissues expand like an accordion. This allows the vaginal canal to be elongated. When arousal ends, the tissues return to their original folded state.
Are there average measurements for internal and external genitalia?
Your perception of the average length of the vaginal canal is about right. The average size of a vagina is about two to four inches long when not aroused and four to eight inches when aroused. The average length of an erect penis is around five inches, which isn’t too far off from the length of the vaginal canal, especially in an aroused state.
Can a penis be too long for vaginal penetration?
It’s possible for the penis to touch the cervix during penetrative sex. There are two possible scenarios in which this could happen. One, the receiving partner isn’t fully aroused and therefore hasn’t given the vaginal canal enough time to elongate. In this case, the receiving partner may feel uncomfortable or experience some pain because of insufficient arousal. And two, the penetrative partner has a penis that’s longer than average. This can also lead to discomfort or pain in the receiving partner. However, there are strategies to help minimize these feelings.
What can you do if penetration feels uncomfortable?
For some, having their cervix stimulated during sex is a pleasurable experience. For others, this may be extremely uncomfortable. This is entirely a personal preference.
If the receiving partner is experiencing pain or discomfort during sex, the first thing to consider is communicating about what they’re experiencing and feeling. If they mention any discomfort, the penetrating partner can consider changing angles or reducing the depth of penetration. They might also consider adding in or increasing foreplay as this may allow the vaginal canal more time to elongate. Additionally, adding in lube can decrease friction and may help get the party started.
Here’s to widening your knowledge about anatomy!