10 things you need to know about the hymen

That old image of bloodstained sheets celebrated as proof of a woman’s purity (most likely a girl!) may no longer exist these days, but it left us with some misconceptions about the hymen.

In this way, many young women still worry about the premature rupture of this membrane, as this would mean that they are “no longer virgins”. If this is your case, you can let go!

As you’ll see below, the hymen isn’t that much of a mystery and shouldn’t 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 beyond the opening of the vagina. However, just like hair, nails or nose, each woman has a different hymen in terms of size and shape.

2. Other species also have a hymen

Several other mammal species also have a hymen, such as female guinea pigs, moles, hyenas, dolphins, whales and African elephants. However, between them, there is no controversy regarding virginity.

Some researchers believe that the presence of the hymen in some of these species is due to the seasonality of reproduction, as it would reconstitute itself and prevent access to the vaginal canal after the mating season.

3. It is not known for sure what its function is

Just as we are not sure about the function of the hymen in other species, there is also no consensus on its role in our body – it is even speculated that it is completely useless.

Some researchers think that it helps to prevent bacteria from entering the vaginal canal, but there is still nothing to support this hypothesis.

4. It doesn’t disappear after the breakup

Although it’s not a rule, the hymen usually breaks after the first intercourse and causes bleeding, but that doesn’t mean it disappears. In fact, the membrane is still there, just a little longer.

5. Not every hymen bleeds at first intercourse

Poor of our ancestors! As is known today, a more elastic type of hymen, called a compliant hymen, is able to stretch to allow the penis to pass without bleeding. Therefore, some of the women who have this type of membrane will only bleed during later intercourse, while others will never bleed.

Also, the hymen may have already broken during masturbation or the practice of some physical activities, so there will be no bleeding in 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 labia minora.

With the help of a mirror, you can usually identify it as small bumps of reddish-pink skin, which do not pose any problems for our body.

7. You may have been born without a hymen

It’s a rare situation, but some girls are born without a hymen and will remain so for the rest of their lives, as it forms during the fetal phase. And that, as you may already suspect, does not represent any harm to the woman’s body.

8. The hymen may have more than one hole

The most common is the hymen known as the annular, which has a hole in the center to allow menstruation to pass. However, there is also the septate hymen, which has a thread of skin crossing the opening, which gives rise to two holes. Also, there is the cribriform hymen, which is similar to a net with several small holes.

These two types offer greater resistance than the annular type, but they do not impede penetration or interfere with menstruation.

9. And it can be completely closed

The rarest type of hymen of all is imperforate, that is, it has no holes and offers the greatest resistance to the penis.

This type of hymen is usually discovered in adolescence, as it prevents the passage of menstruation and leads to an accumulation of blood in the vaginal canal, which can cause intense pain. This malformation can be corrected through minor surgery.

10. Breaking the hymen doesn’t hurt

It is common for many women to feel pain of varying intensity in the first sexual intercourse. However, contrary to what is imagined, this does not happen because of the rupture of the hymen, as it has no nerve endings.

In fact, the pain is caused by the stretching of the skin and muscles of the vagina itself, which have to adapt for the first time to receive the penis. That way, the more relaxed the woman is, the less discomfort she will feel.

In fact, this is something we need to talk about: the first sexual relationship doesn’t have to be synonymous with suffering. Often, girls feel pain precisely because they are afraid of this moment, as we always hear that “losing your virginity” is very painful.

When the young woman already knows her body and the first sexual intercourse happens because she decided to do so, in a quiet and safe environment and with a nice person, the chances of her being relaxed and enjoying the moment without all that discomfort are much higher. And, of course, not forgetting the condom – something much more important than whether the hymen breaks or not!