Hi there, sorry to bother you, I was just wondering if you could explain to me how vaginal lubrication works? I'm looking into an article that is floating around regarding artificially grown vaginas for cis women and if it is applicable to trans women in any way? I'm a teenage trans lesbian who is hoping her current assumptions are correct. Tysm, I hope you are well
The self-lubrication of the vagina is done by certain glands (the Bartholin’s glands) on the exterior of the vaginal opening.
The artificially grown vaginas are the vaginal walls only and don’t contain the glands (yet). It is completely possible to use the technique as a replacement for grafting or penile inversion during a vaginoplasty, however due to transmisogyny the most plentiful candidates for such a procedure are ignored for the time being. Finding a doctor to be the first one to do it for a trans woman is no small or cheap feat.
I would like to point out that the Cowper’s gland (one of the organs that makes pre-cum) is homologous to the Bartholin’s glands and could theoretically be used to create the latter structures someday, though stem cell technology is probably easier than microanatomical surgical reconstruction.
I would also like to point out that the peritonectomy vaginoplasty is a promising alternative since the peritoneum is quite stretchy and produces a mucus membrane which would self-clean a vagina constructed from it (and help with lubrication in a minor way).
Since you’re asking about this I assume you want to have a vagina someday. If you need it as soon as possible that’s valid and you don’t have to wait for new techniques and technologies to become available. The penile inversion technique can create a vagina that has the same interior structure and microflora as a cis vagina after a couple years post-op. Some surgeons are able to repurpose glandular structures to create one that self-lubricates to some extent though often additional lube is required (which is true of many cis women too!).
I hope this answers your question.
-*Mod Star*
