Trans Women! The Myth Behind the Self Lubricating Vagina!
When it comes to vaginoplasty, it’s natural to desire a neovagina resembling a cis woman’s vagina as close as possible.
And while surgeons can achieve exterior aesthetics indistinguishable from a cis woman’s vagina, internal biology still comes with some challenges.
The number one desire I hear from trans women is a self-lubricating vagina!
When I probe deeper, asking why self-lubrication is so important to them, I often get a mixture of misinformation combined with some element of truth:
“I won’t have to use lube during sex.”
“If my vagina self-lubricates, I don’t have to dilate.”
“A self-lubricating vagina means you are a real woman.”
“A self-lubricating vagina means my partner won’t know I am trans during sex.”
“There is more depth with a self-lubricating vagina.”
Yet the number one reason I hear is a desire to have a vagina that will produce additional lubrication on demand upon sexual arousal!
But what exactly does it mean when we say a neovagina self-lubricates?
How similar is it to a cis woman’s vagina?
Most importantly, does it produce lubricant upon sexual arousal, as many tend to believe?
For starters, let’s briefly discuss vaginal lubrication in cis women, a naturally produced fluid that lubricates the inner terrain of the vagina.
In cis women, vaginal lubrication is an ongoing natural process that tends to increase near ovulation and during sexual arousal.
Postmenopausal women tend to produce insufficient lubricant, often leading to potentially painful vaginal intercourse. As a result, using lubricant is highly recommended.
The vaginal lining of cis women has no glands.
Therefore, the main source of lubrication is due to plasma from vaginal walls due to vascular engorgement.
In addition to Bartholin’s glands, which secretes mucus to augment vaginal wall secretions.
Near the ovulation period, cis women produce cervical mucus, providing additional lubricant.
As you can see, in cis women, various biological functions are responsible for creating self-lubrication.
But what about trans women? To find out, let’s look at each type of vaginoplasty!
PENILE INVERSION VAGINOPLASTY
Penile inversion vaginoplasty, in itself, produces no lubrication.
With the exception of small glands in the urethra.
Dr. Gallagher, a prominent gender-affirming surgeon says,
“The small glands in the urethra, which secrete pre-ejaculate, are left intact in trans women. Its highly variable how much is secreted (0-5ml) but that can give some lubrication on arousal.”
Another prominent gender-affirming surgeon, Dr. Whittenberg, elaborates further:
“If a person pre-comes with excitation pre-operatively (this is from the existing Cowper’s glands and some additional fluids from the prostate) then that will persist post-operatively as those structures stay in place. For these women and gender non-binary individuals, there is a chance they may not need additional lube.”
SIGMOID COLON VAGINOPLASTY
Part of the colon used for the inner lining of the vaginal canal secretes mucus, acting as a lubricant.
The amount of mucus secreted and the frequency varies from person to person.
Dr. Whittenberg says:
“Colovaginoplasty has the most copious amount and is mucousy in nature. Most women wear 1-3 thin panty liners per day”
It is important to note that sigmoid colon vaginoplasty does not secrete lubrication upon sexual arousal!
If you are having vaginal intercourse, you must still use a lubricant.
With the exception of some individuals who can produce lubricant via Cowper’s glands and the prostate.
PERITONEAL PULL THROUGH VAGINOPLASTY
Part of the peritoneal used for the inner lining of the vaginal canal produces a “small amount of watery yellowy tinged lubrication that is constant” (Dr. Whittenberg).
As with sigmoid colon vaginoplasty, most women must wear 1-3 thin panty liners daily.
It is important to note that the peritoneal pull-through vaginoplasty does not secrete lubrication upon sexual arousal!
As with sigmoid colon vaginoplasty, if you are having vaginal intercourse, you must still use a lubricant.
With the exception of some individuals who can produce lubricant via Cowper’s glands and the prostate.
Note that while both sigmoid colon and peritoneal pull through vaginoplasty produce moisture within the inner vaginal lining, acting as lubrication, there is a difference between an ongoing self-lubrication that takes place in cis women.
It is especially important to note that additional self-lubrication during sexual arousal, which occurs in cis women, does not occur naturally in trans women.
Except with individuals who can still produce lubricant via Cowper’s glands and the prostate.
If you are seeking vaginoplasty, make sure you are clear on what matters most! Talk to your medical provider and have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each technique.
Ask yourself if you prefer to wear a thin panty liner or use a lubricant during sexual intercourse.
And remember, cis women experience vaginal dryness and often use lubricant during vaginal intercourse. Self-lubrication, or lack off, does not define you as a woman!