My boyfriend of three years and I have been discussing having sex. We're both virgins. He is very sure and comfortable, but I'm a little nervous because he has a rather large penis. I was told by a friend that since a women's uterus is not too far from her vagina, that this could cause some major problems. Is there any danger? If so, what can I do to solve my problem?

Dana

Congratulations on delaying having sex until you have gotten to know your boyfriend well. I hope you have thoroughly discussed your contraceptive options and are quite sure you wish to take the next step into a sexual relationship. Even though you are both, to your knowledge, virgins, I would strongly suggest you use condoms, even if you are planning using something else (the pill, Depo-Provera, etc) for birth control.

Now, to answer your question. The vagina is a tubular structure that is collapsed on itself; it expands far enough to allow a baby to come out, so it can certainly accommodate a penis. At the top of the vagina is the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus. The cervix projects into the vagina, like a little knob. In the vast majority of cases, the vagina is long enough to allow comfortable sex even with men with long penises. Sometimes, the penis does hit the cervix during intercourse, and this can be uncomfortable. Also, sex can sometimes be uncomfortable if you have conditions such as endometriosis or a retroverted (backward-tipped) uterus.

Discomfort and injury, however, are two very different things. With consensual sex, and with a partner who responds to your direction, it would be very unlikely for you to be injured. Injuries do occur, but almost always as the result of rough sex or rape.