7 Myths About The Hymen And Virginity That Are Eye Opening

Even in 2015, the human body holds onto mysteries. Why do we have a useless tube where the small and large intestines meet, the only function of which seems to be to get infected and try to kill us? Why do we dream when we sleep? Why do we yawn, for that matter? Why do we need fingerprints that are unique to us? 

Women have one particular mystery to their bodies, and unfortunately it has probably caused them far more problems than it’s worth. The worst part isn’t that it’s a mystery – it’s that it has been tragically misunderstood and ascribed many properties that it simply isn’t responsible for. This troublesome tissue needs some serious demystification. 

Myth #1: All hymens are made the same.

Just like people, not every hymen is exactly the same. The hymen is, generally speaking, a thin, pink membrane, but it can also be a thicker, white tissue. The edges can be smooth, or they can be fringed with many small tears or holes. And there are many factors that can affect it: genetics, hormones, physical activity, and development through puberty all play a role. In rare cases, some women are even born without a hymen or have so little remnant of it after birth that it can’t be detected..

Myth #2: The hymen is a solid membrane.

The hymen doesn’t actually form a strict barrier between the womb and the outside world; it’s not a film that has to be punctured during intercourse. In fact, hymens that do stretch all the way across without an opening occur rarely – it’s a condition called imperforate hymen, and it has to be corrected so that menstrual blood can flow through. A more accurate name for the hymen is the “vaginal corona“.

Myth #3: The hymen breaks.

Hymens don’t break during intercourse – they might tear a bit, but we’re talking about stretchy membranes that can make accommodations. They might just stretch more than they’re accustomed to the first time. Hymens won’t contract into their old shape; however, they’ll continue to wear down and fade away over time.This has caused widespread misconceptions about virginity, which leads to our next myth.

Myth #4: You can tell if a woman is a virgin by whether she has a hymen or not.

No gynecologist in the world can tell whether you’re a virgin or not by your hymen. There are a few reasons, not the least of which being the fact that intercourse doesn’t ‘pop’ a hymen. Hymens can be torn merely by inserting a tampon, and they begin to wear down at the onset of puberty. Moreover, there are many ways to define virginity and sexual activity outside of having intercourse with a male partner. It’s entirely possible for a virgin and a sexually active woman to be, for all intents and purposes, physically indistinguishable – just as it is for men.Sadly, many cultures still believe in this myth, often to the detriment of the women involved.