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Hymen
A hymen is the thin
piece of tissue that partially blocks the entrance to the vagina. It is
sometimes called the maidenhead or cherry. It is named after the Greek
god of marriage and has no known biological function. Although some
women are born without a hymen, most have one, and the hymen varies in
size and shape from woman to woman. The hymen usually does not cover the
entire vaginal opening, since there must be some way for the menstrual
fluid, or period, to leave the body.
The hymen has
historically been a marker of a woman's virginity. The belief that since
the hymen blocked the vaginal opening, it should remain intact as long
as a woman did not have sexual intercourse was widely propagated,
especially in cultures where a woman's virginity was highly valued. If
an unmarried woman's hymen was found to be separated, grave consequences
could result, depending on each culture's customs. In some Australian
tribes it is the custom for a specially appointed older woman to
perforate the hymen of a bride one week before her marriage. If it is
found that the hymen has already separated from the vaginal walls prior
to this ritual, the woman is subject to public humiliation, torture, and
sometimes death.
But it is scientific fact
that the hymen can be separated for reasons quite unconnected to sexual
intercourse. It can separate when the body is stretched strenuously, as
in athletics; it can be separated by inserting a tampon during
menstruation or through masturbation; and sometimes it is separated for
no apparent reason. A separated hymen is not an indication of having had
intercourse, nor can it prove a loss of virginity. In fact, some women
must have their hymen surgically removed before the birth of their first
child because it is so flexible or small that it remains intact during
intercourse.
When the hymen is
separated, whether during first intercourse or at some other time, there
may be some slight bleeding and a little pain. Both the bleeding and the
pain are quite normal and both usually stop after a short time. Some
women experience no discomfort at all during this process that is
commonly referred to as "losing your cherry".
It is important to
remember that a woman can become pregnant even if her hymen is intact
and no penis has entered her vagina. If sperm comes in contact with the
labia or general vaginal area, it can move through the opening in the
vagina and possibly lead to a pregnancy. An intact hymen should not be
considered a form of birth control.
As with most information
on sexuality, a woman learns about her hymen in many ways, but rarely
from parents, physicians or informed adults in a supportive and
sensitive manner. Rather, it seems that women learn about the hymen in
ways that promote anxiety and uncertainty about their own bodies and
behaviors. Knowing the facts about the hymen can help women dispel the
myth that it proves virginity, freeing them from the negative effects of
popular mythology. Having accurate information about the hymen can
assist in normalizing a woman's fears about her body and help promote
greater self-acceptance.
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Sex
