What is the hymen?

The hymen is a membrane fold around the inside of the vaginal canal of most young women, near the vaginal opening. Because of its ring-shape, the hymen is also known as the vaginal corona. In many cultures the hymen plays an important role in determining the virginity of a woman (eventhough this is not possible). In this article you will learn all there is to know about the hymen, surrounding myths and misconceptions.

What is the hymen?

As part of the vulva, the hymen is a thinmembrane inside the vagina, thereby partially covering the vaginal opening. Its function is to close off the internal genitalia (vaginal canal, cervix & uterus). Contrary to popular belief, the hymen does not fully close the vaginal canal and is crescent-shaped.

Myths surrounding the hymen

Worldwide, there are quite a few myths with regards to the hymen. However, these myths are based on no truths whatsoever. Following is a list of most common myths and misconceptions surround the hymen:

• The hymen is a membrane that fully closes off the vaginal canal. This is false, the hymen is rather crescent-shaped around the inside of the vaginal wall.
• An intact hymen is proof of a woman's virginity. This is untrue as the hymen can stay intact after (penal) penetration. Therefore, a woman who is no longer a virgin may still have an intact hymen. Reversely, the hymen can tear in situations not involving intercourse like horseback riding.
• The hymen will always tear during sex for the first time, resulting in bleeding. This too is false, as the hymen does not necessarily tear during sex. Even when the hymen does tear, this tearing does not necessarily cause bleeding, although it can.
• A doctor can examine the hymen and give written, medical proof of virginity. Since the hymen is not necessarily affected during intercourse, this remains an impossible task. Examination of the hymen reveals no information on the woman's virginity.
• Examination of the hymen can (dis)prove criminal charges of sexually-based offenses. As mentioned above, the hymen gives no information on sexual interactions - forced or consensual. Detailed examination is sometimes carried out, but often remains inconclusive and cannot stand alone as evidence.

Now that the myths are out of the way, let's take a look at what can be said with certainty.

The hymen is not a fully-closed membrane

The hymen does not fully close-off the vagina, as this would prevent menstrual blood from leaving the body. Known as hymen imperforatus, this is a very rare congenital condition where the hymen lacks an opening - thereby fully closing off the vaginal canal. This condition can be easily dealt with through a minor medical procedure. A small incision is made (usually under general anaesthesia) in the hymen, thus creating an opening for the menstrual blood to leave the body.
 

The hymen is not a proof of virginity

The word hymen has its origin in Greek (where it meant skin or membrane) and has slowly become known globally as the virginal membrane. Virginal, because people assume the hymen tears the first time a woman has sex. The tearing of the hymen is accompanied by slight blood loss and some pain.

However, the fact remains that a tearing does not necessarily occur. Quite often, first-time sex does not hurt at all, there is very little to no blood or a tearing of the hymen had already occured at an earlier point in time during a non-sexual situation. As briefly mentioned above, it can happen during sports or even when inserting a tampon. Furthermore, each and every woman will differ physically when it comes to how thick the fold of the hymen is and how narrow the hymenal opening is - a thicker fold for example may then only tear after having had sex a few times. The same way that it can occur that woman has a fully closed off hymen, it can also occur that women are born without a hyman or one that is hardly visible. When giving birth naturally, the hymen will generally disappear completely.

When a young girl is sexually abused, often the hymen will be examined to see if it remains intact - as a torn hymen would then indicate abuse. However, research has shown the shape of the hymen to change over time during the first year of life. Sadly, this makes it somewhat more difficult to conclude with certainty whether abuse has taken place - especially if the hymen has had enough time to heal. This has sparked some controversy in the past few years on the use of these examinations in cases. Currently the examinations are still conducted and are luckily a component of a larger scale examination.

The role of the hymen in different cultures

In some cultures it is a customary that the woman is still a virgin when entering into marriage. During their wedding night, the blood loss that is expected to occur is then what is seen as a proof of virginity. Sometimes the stained sheets will then even be shown to the relatives of the couple.

As one might imagine, the fact that often times there is near to no blood loss can be the cause of big problems between newly-weds, their relatives and socially - especially, of course, the enormous damage inflicted upon the bride's reputation. All this over something that she has no controle over.

More and more, plastic surgeons and gynaecologists are asked if they would be willing and able to reconstruct the hymen. Usually, these woman have a cultural background wherein it is expected that a woman 'saves herself' for marriage. Generally, these types of surgeries are adviced against. However, they sometimes do take place. During such a surgery, the hymen is not so much 'reconstructed' as the hymenal opening is merely narrowed and tightened. However, the intended result is often unattained as no guarantee can be given that the 'reconstructed' hymen will tear during intercourse on the wedding night. Let alone that this would then result in blood loss.

Sources: www.todio.nl