Unexplainable The Vagina Voyages
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Sep 15, 2025 Hillary Frank, host of The Longest Shortest Time, and Rachel E. Gross, science writer and author of Vagina Obscura, dive into the intriguing world of vaginas. They explore historical misconceptions surrounding female anatomy, including the clitoral structure and misguided medical practices. The conversation reveals surprising topics like the 'wandering womb' and new research into vaginal health. With humor and insight, they highlight the importance of understanding female pleasure, health, and the need for better research in women's reproductive systems.
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Curiosity Became A Career
- Rachel Gross became fascinated with vaginas after awkward sex-ed and turned that curiosity into a career researching sexual anatomy.
- She wrote the book Vagina Obscura to explore what science still doesn't know about half the bodies on Earth.
Clitoris Is Much More Than A Nub
- The clitoris is a large, mostly internal organ with a shaft, arms, and bulbs that interconnect with pelvic structures.
- It shares erectile tissue with the penis and functions primarily to provide sexual pleasure.
History Suppressed Female Anatomy
- Historical medicine minimized the clitoris and labeled female genitalia with shameful names, limiting research and understanding.
- Modern studies show the clitoris is extremely nerve dense and central to orgasm, overturning old assumptions.
