Hymen 101

Before you read this, I must tell you that this may be triggering to rape survivors.  This includes mention of sexual abuse.  Viewer discretion is advised.

If I were to ask my twelve year old self what a hymen was, my response would be a thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of the vagina.  Then, when you have sex it tears apart.  It wasn’t until several sex education videos later, I was proved wrong.  Plus, even if it was true where would the blood from our periods go.  Some people aren’t even born with a hymen.  

The hymen isn’t a stretchy bit of tissue covering the vagina.  It’s more of a thin, stretchy membrane that partially covers the vagina.  The hole in the hymen is big enough for most to put in tampons, cups, fingers, and yes having sexual intercourse.

There are cases where the hymen covers the vagina.  There are cases where the hymen has holes it and many more different hymens.  Realize that these conditions are real and allies must support the people with them.  Please realize this is for people with annular and parous introitous hymens.  I very well could talk about the different types of hymens but this is not the post that I will be doing so.

Sure, having sex can hurt because you bruise or tear the hymen if you’re not careful.  Before having intercourse, I recommend maybe even playing with fingers and sex toys with your partner for a few weeks in advance.  That may help prevent any incidents and will perhaps make you feel comfortable.  Even if the hymen is torn, it doesn’t mean it was because of sex.  Some people have had their hymen torn by exercise, horseback riding, doing the splits, and so much more.  And if they are torn, some even heal.  Nearly half of sexually active people with vaginas have an intact hymens.

This toxic and false idea is everywhere in the media.  You can see it in writings, music, and even on the big screen.  This isn’t the worst of it though.

Some people are forced to show officials whether they have an intact hymen.  If the person has been raped and has an intact hymen, they could be accused of lying.  If they don’t have an intact hymen, the person could be denied rights to their education, jobs, and many more.  In some countries, if the hymen is broken the family will beat the bride to reveal the name of whom they were cheating with.

To conclude, what a lot of people think is the hymen is a complete myth.  This isn’t just toxic in first world countries but in other countries, it’s a serious issue that causes people lives.  Bruised, torn, or intact hymen-don’t hurt your body.  Be careful and if you have pain having sex, see a doctor.  Stay safe and learn to unlearn the sexphobia the media has placed upon us.

Tala

Sources

• "Self-Exam: Vulva and Vagina - Our Bodies Ourselves." Our Bodies Ourselves. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
• @PsychToday. "The Hymen: A Membrane Widely Misunderstood." Psychology Today. Michael Castleman, n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2011.
• "Is My Hymen Intact? | SexInfo Online." Is My Hymen Intact? | SexInfo Online. Sexperts, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
• "The Hymen: Breaking the Myths - Our Bodies Ourselves." Our Bodies Ourselves. Christine Cupaiuolo, 2016. Web. 31 Dec. 2008.
• "Women and Global Human Rights." Women and Global Human Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
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• Posted under Health Guides. Updated 3 October 2014. Related Content. "Types of Hymens." Center for Young Womens Health. Health Guides, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
• Hilliard, Paula J. "Imperforate Hymen." Imperforate Hymen: Background, Problem, Epidemiology. Medscape, 22 Mar. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
• "Virginity Test - How to Know If a Girl Is a Virgin." Virginity Test - How to Know If a Girl Is a Virgin | Futurescopes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.