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What Is the Hymen?

Alan Rankin
Alan Rankin

The hymen is a thin layer of tissue appearing in the vagina of many female mammals, including humans. In women, this tissue is usually present in childhood and early adolescence, but can be torn away by various activities, including sexual intercourse. For this reason, many cultures associate this vaginal barrier with virginity, sexual activity, and the passage to womanhood. Like many aspects of female sexuality, however, this tissue has often been poorly understood throughout history.

Like fingerprints or ear shape, the hymen can vary greatly from person to person. In general, it forms a partial barrier across the opening of the vagina, but it's biological purpose is not known. Vaginal penetration can remove this barrier, and it is usually accompanied by minor discomfort and blood loss. In some women, however, the tissue can remain intact even after childbirth.

Women's hymens have traditionally, if erroneously, been linked to their virginity.
Women's hymens have traditionally, if erroneously, been linked to their virginity.

Historically, the presence of the hymen has often been used as proof of a woman’s virginity. This is particularly true in cultures that link a woman’s virginity with her worth as a person, her moral standing, or her suitability for marriage. Conversely, its absence has been seen as proof of sexual activity and even as legal evidence in cases of sexual abuse or rape. In reality, there are a number of activities that can remove this layer of tissue, including tampon use, medical examination, and masturbation. Strenuous activities, such as horseback riding, may also break it, although the Kinsey Institute states there is no research to confirm this.

Horseback riding is thought to break the hymen.
Horseback riding is thought to break the hymen.

Nevertheless, the tissue continues to be linked with the loss of virginity and the onset of sexual activity, even in the 21st century. An archaic English euphemism for the structure is the maidenhead, as its presence was believed to confirm a woman was a maiden, or a virgin. In modern times, the blood resulting from the breaking of the hymen led to another nickname, the cherry. Once considered vulgar, the word has passed into common usage as a term for both the structure and the state of virginity itself.

In some women, the hymen can remain intact even after childbirth.
In some women, the hymen can remain intact even after childbirth.

Some women may be born without this vaginal barrier, and in others, it may be so large that it effectively blocks off the vaginal entrance. These women may require its surgical removal to allow menstrual flow and normal vaginal health. The 2004 film Kinsey, about the life of the famed sex researcher, reveals that his wife initially suffered from this condition. According to the film, this discovery was one of the events that inspired Dr. Kinsey’s groundbreaking research into sexuality.

Hymen Variants

Hymens come in all shapes, sizes, and positions, and there’s no such a thing as an ‘abnormal’ hymen. Many of its variants have to do with how the hymen tears or how thick the hymen tissue grows. 

So, not all hymens are the same, but all hymens are natural. To give people some insight into what hymen variants exist and what they mean concerning health and vaginal comfort, below are the five common hymen variants explained. 

Common Hymen

The most common variant of a hymen is a thin layer of tissue that stretches over the opening of the vaginal canal with a large opening in the center. The larger opening occurs when the hymen tears for whatever reason, creating the hole. 

This larger opening allows for the insertion of tampons or sexual intercourse. People with this variant of hymen typically don’t have any issues inserting tampons or having intercourse. 

Imperforate Hymen

This variant is when there is no opening at the beginning of the vaginal canal. An imperforate hymen can cause issues because tampons cannot be inserted, and sexual intercourse may be more difficult. 

However, this is still a common and natural occurrence. This type of variant is typically diagnosed during puberty, as the menstrual flow will not be able to exit the vaginal canal causing abdominal and pelvic pain. 

This can be fixed with a simple surgery involving a small incision to open up the hymen. The surgery is called a hymenectomy, and causes little to no pain or discomfort after the surgery. 

Microperforate Hymen

A microperforate hymen is when there is only a very small opening. While menstrual blood and secretions can exit the vagina, it can be difficult to put a tampon in, remove a filled tampon, or have sexual intercourse. 

This type of hymen occurs when the hymen only tears slightly. This can also be remedied with a small surgery. 

Cribriform Hymen

A cribriform hymen is when there are many small holes in the hymen. This type of hymen is often caused by physical activity during the tear or a thicker layer of hymen tissue. 

The hymen, a partial barrier across the opening of the vagina, may be present for some women throughout their life.
The hymen, a partial barrier across the opening of the vagina, may be present for some women throughout their life.

Many people will not realize they have this extra tissue until they reach puberty or try to have sexual intercourse. People with this hymen variant often have no problem with menstrual flow or secretion but are often unable to have sexual intercourse or even use a tampon without surgery to widen the holes. 

Septate Hymen

This variant is when a band of tissue remains over the opening, so there are two holes in the hymen. This type of hymen can go completely unnoticed if one of the holes is big enough, but it can cause issues when inserting tampons or having intercourse. 

A septate hymen is simple to fix by removing the extra band of tissue. But many live their entire lives with a septate hymen with little to no issues, as blood and secretions can flow out of the canal, and sometimes tampons can fit easily. 

Hymen Myths

There are many common myths surrounding the hymen, what it means, and its purpose. To help dispel these myths, below is a quick list of things NOT to believe about the hymen. 

  • It correlates with virginity
  • It’s painful when it tears
  • Every woman has one
  • Hymens can regrow
  • All hymens look the same

The Importance of Hymen Education 

The lack of understanding society has surrounding female anatomy causes many misconceptions, and the hymen is one of the most misunderstood body parts.

A woman's hymen may be stretched or broken from inserting tampons.
A woman's hymen may be stretched or broken from inserting tampons.

The importance of education in this area cannot be overstated, as ignorance has led to many shaming women for no reason. When there is a lack of general understanding about the female anatomy and specifically the hymen, this can result in girls and women feeling like something is wrong with their body when it’s completely normal and natural. 

A healthy understanding of how the female body works is imperative, especially among doctors. Once upon a time, hymen exams to determine virginity were a very real thing, and while times are different now, there is still more change that needs to happen. 

Many people in certain cultures still believe the hymen correlates with virginity. And the only way to rid the world of this harmful myth is to spread the facts about the hymen.

Discussion Comments

anon320437

I never have read or seen the why of this. What purpose does the girl's hymen serve? Why are girls born with a hymen?

tigers88

OK, this is kind of gross but I have always wondered about this and am hoping that you guys can give me an answer. I have heard that you can break you hymen while riding a bicycle? Is this true or is it just some kind of silly urban legend?

Mae82

@manykitties2 - There are still a lot of religions today that believe the hymenal tissue is a sign of purity and while I feel that the anatomy of the vagina should have nothing to do with religion, it's a sad fact that many people still believe this. I suppose like with anything, there are always some beliefs that will hang on no matter what.

What makes me really mad is those religious folks that persecute women because they don't have a hymen. I think that is very much dark ages thinking and with so many types of hymens, it really is a personal matter.

manykitties2

When I was a teenager I remember there was a lot of controversy in the church about the use of tampons because the idea of hymens breaking due to their use didn't set right with a lot of Christians. I honestly don't see the hymen as a sign of virginity because it isn't universal, and it isn't like just inserting something can be the only way to break it.

It's really sad to me that so many people are poorly informed about the different types of hymens and think that it is a simple biological way to tell you about a woman's virginity. Whatever happened to just asking a person, and why does anyone need to confirm this anyway nowadays?

SailorJerry

The idea of living in a world where intact hymens can make the difference between life and death makes me shudder. Sometimes I sure am glad to be an American!

I think it's interesting that the hymen is named after a Greek god of marriage. He was usually portrayed as a young man wearing a garland of flowers, and he was supposed to "attend" every wedding. He appears, for instance, at the end of Shakespeare's play As You Like It to get all the couples happily married off to each other.

I'm just not sure how the name of a god who was central to the whole process of marriage got applied to a tiny little piece of tissue that was always just a small part.

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    • Women's hymens have traditionally, if erroneously, been linked to their virginity.
      By: Deklofenak
      Women's hymens have traditionally, if erroneously, been linked to their virginity.
    • Horseback riding is thought to break the hymen.
      By: Kseniya Abramova
      Horseback riding is thought to break the hymen.
    • In some women, the hymen can remain intact even after childbirth.
      By: Olesia Bilkei
      In some women, the hymen can remain intact even after childbirth.
    • The hymen, a partial barrier across the opening of the vagina, may be present for some women throughout their life.
      By: blueringmedia
      The hymen, a partial barrier across the opening of the vagina, may be present for some women throughout their life.
    • A woman's hymen may be stretched or broken from inserting tampons.
      By: noci0114
      A woman's hymen may be stretched or broken from inserting tampons.