That old image of bloodstained sheets celebrated as proof of the purity of a woman (most likely a girl!) May no longer exist these days, but it left us with some misconceptions about the hymen.
Thus, many young women still worry about the early rupture of this membrane, as this would mean that they are "no longer virgins". If this is your case, you can get discouraged!
As you will see below, the hymen is not all that mysterious and should not occupy your thoughts more than other truly important things like preventing an STD or unwanted pregnancy. Check it out:
1. Each one is different
The hymen is a piece of pink tissue with a hole in the center that is located 1 or 2 centimeters after the opening of the vagina. But like hair, nails, or nose, each woman has a different hymen in size and shape.
2. Other species also have hymen
Several other mammalian species also have hymen, such as guinea pigs, moles, hyenas, dolphins, whales and African elephants. However, among them, there is no controversy regarding virginity.
Also read: 10 Reasons That May Explain A Bleeding In You After Sex
Some researchers believe that the presence of the hymen in some of these species is due to seasonality of reproduction, as it would reconstitute itself and prevent access to the vaginal canal after the mating season.
3. It is not clear what its function is
Just as we are not sure about the function of the hymen in other species, is there no consensus on its role in our body? indeed, it is speculated that it is completely useless.
Some researchers imagine that it helps to prevent bacteria from entering the vaginal canal, but there is nothing to prove it yet.
4. It Does Not Disappear After Breakup
Although not a rule, the hymen usually breaks after the first relationship and causes a bleed, but that does not mean that it disappears. In fact, the membrane is still there, but a little longer.
5. Not every hymen bleeds in the first relationship
Poor of our ancestors! As we now know, a more elastic type of hymen, called a compliant hymen, is able to stretch to allow the penis to pass without bleeding. Because of this, some women who have this type of membrane will only bleed in later relationships, while others will never bleed.
Also read: 15 Strange Moments In Sex That Should Not Be Taken Seriously
Also, may the hymen have already broken during masturbation or some physical activity, so there will be no bleeding on the woman's first sexual intercourse? which doesn't mean she wasn't a virgin!
6. Sometimes it can be seen externally.
Because it is located 1 or 2 centimeters from the entrance to the vagina, it is sometimes possible to see the remaining tissue of the hymen between the folds of the small lips.
With the help of a mirror, you can usually identify it as small reddish-pink skin bulges, which pose no problem to our body.
7. You May Be Born Without the Hymen
This is a rare situation, but some girls are born without the hymen and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives as it forms during the fetal phase. And that, as you may suspect, is no harm to a woman's body.
8. The hymen may have more than one hole
The most common is the annular hymen, which has a hole in the center to allow menstruation to pass. However, there is also the septate hymen, which has a strand of skin running through the opening, which gives rise to two holes. Also, there is the cribiform hymen, which is similar to a net with several holes.
Read also: Menstrual Cycle: Clear Your Questions
Both types offer greater resistance than annular resistance, but do not prevent penetration or disrupt menstruation.
9. And it can be completely closed
The rarest type of hymen of all is the imperforate, ie it has no orifice and offers the greatest resistance to the penis.
Usually this type of hymen is discovered in adolescence as it prevents menstruation from passing and leads to a build up of blood in the vaginal canal which can cause severe pain. This malformation can be corrected by minor surgery.
10. Breaking the hymen doesn't hurt
It is common for many women to experience pain of varying intensity at first intercourse.However, unlike what you think, this does not happen because of the rupture of the hymen, because it has no nerve endings.
In fact, the pain is caused by the stretching of the skin and muscles of the vagina itself, which must first adapt to receive the penis. That way, the more relaxed the woman is, the less discomfort she will feel.
Also read: 10 foods to increase your libido
By the way, this is something we need to talk about: first sexual intercourse need not be synonymous with suffering. Often girls feel pain precisely because of their fear of this moment, as we have always heard that? Losing their virginity? It is very painful.
When the young woman already knows her body and the first sexual intercourse happens because she decided so, in a calm and safe environment and with a nice person, the chances of her being relaxed and enjoying the moment without all this discomfort are much greater. And of course without forgetting the condom? something much more important than whether the hymen breaks or not!
Does the Hymen Have to Break? (April 2024)
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