The Hymen – The Mystery of Virginity

An epicentre of myths – that's one way to describe the topic we're exploring today. For a long time, the hymen was treated as the yardstick for determining virginity, a taboo subject built on misinformation. It's time we understood our own bodies better – for the sake of our intimate health. 

The hymen – What does it look like & where is it? EVERYTHING you need to know

It all starts with the anatomy of the vulva. The female genitals comprise both visible (external) and non-visible (internal) structures. Together they form a whole and keep your body functioning normally and healthily.

DON'T FORGET!

The vulva is the external part of the genital system and includes all the outer organs and structures. The vagina, on the other hand, is one of the internal genital organs and connects the vulva to the uterus. 

The story of your intimate area continues in our article, where you'll learn everything you need to know about your vagina from A to Z. From anatomy and intimate health to tips & tricks for a happy body – here you'll find out everything you should have been taught at school.

The visible, external parts also include the hymen, that much-debated part of your vagina. It's time to really get to know it.

What is the hymen?

First things first: the hymen is not a membrane. It's actually a thin, supple layer of tissue inside the vaginal entrance, near the external opening. There are plenty of misconceptions about how it looks, as many people believe the hymen completely seals off the vaginal entrance – the reality is rather different.

The hymen is never completely closed. Most hymens have one or more openings that allow menstrual blood to flow out of the vagina. Some people are born with a fibrous hymen, others without a hymen at all – the latter being a congenital variation. What's more, no two hymens are identical: they differ in shape and size.

What is the function of the hymen?

The physiological role of the hymen still isn't clear. Although it doesn't appear to have any specific function, experts believe the hymen is a remnant of vaginal development that prevents bacteria and dirt from entering the vagina. In children, it may serve to prevent objects from being inserted into the vagina.

Location – Where is the hymen?

The hymen surrounds or partially covers the vaginal entrance. Naturally, it can be arranged differently around the vaginal opening and come in many shapes and sizes. 

Can you see the hymen?

In theory you can see the hymen, though in practice the position required is rather uncomfortable. If you position yourself over a mirror with your legs apart, you stand a good chance of spotting it.

The hymen & menstruation – Is there a connection?

Menstrual blood leaves the body through the opening in the hymen. There's always an opening, whether smaller or larger, even in girls who have never had sexual intercourse. So much for the myth that the hymen completely seals the vaginal entrance. 
And while we're busting myths … did you know that very severe period pain and heavy bleeding can be caused by the intimate hygiene products you use? It seems discomfort has become the norm over time – but at ENROUSH we know it doesn't have to be that way. Out of love and care for women, we've created 100% organic pads made from natural cotton that not only give you the comfort you need, but also don't put your health at risk. We place our complete trust in Mother Nature and do without chemicals, chlorine, dioxins, synthetic fibres and plastic – because your wellbeing lies in simplicity. ENROUSH is about you and for you.

What does the hymen look like? Types of hymen:

Your whole vulva is unique and you can't compare it with anyone else's – but you can, step by step, come to understand your body better and make the right choices to care for it. 

Knowing what's typical for you isn't easy, and the truth is that the most significant changes begin with menstruation. Crucially, there's no standard you have to live up to – and the hymen is no exception. Your hymen is unique, and as long as you're happy and healthy, there's no cause for concern. 

Since there isn't just one type of hymen, let's break them down into categories.

Annular or crescentic hymen

The annular or crescentic hymen is considered the most common type. It surrounds your vaginal opening like a ring or a doughnut and, once it tears or stretches, looks more like a crescent moon. Menstrual blood can flow out through this opening.

If you have an annular or crescentic hymen, it may look slightly different depending on how it has stretched or torn.

Denticular hymen

With this type, there are several tooth-like projections of tissue around the vaginal opening. Although it isn't very common, it doesn't indicate any health problems.

Imperforate hymen

An imperforate hymen is very rare.  Estimates suggest that roughly 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 people have one.

In this case, the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening. This prevents menstrual blood from flowing out, which can cause pain in the abdomen and pelvic area as the blood collects there. 

An imperforate hymen can be diagnosed at birth, although in many cases the diagnosis isn't made until puberty. Treatment involves a minor surgical procedure to remove the excess tissue and create an opening that allows menstrual blood to drain.

Septate hymen

Like the imperforate hymen, the septate hymen falls into the category of 'rare cases'. The thin hymenal membrane has an extra band of tissue through the middle, creating two small vaginal openings instead of one. People with this type may find it difficult to insert or remove a tampon. Penetrative sex can cause this extra tissue to tear. 

Treatment involves a minor surgical procedure to remove the extra band of tissue and create a normal-sized vaginal opening.

Microperforate hymen

This type covers the vaginal opening almost entirely, apart from one tiny hole. Because this hole is extremely small, menstrual blood can become trapped in the vagina or trickle out only in small amounts. Inserting a tampon or other objects can also be difficult and painful.

As with the imperforate hymen, treatment involves removing the excess tissue and significantly widening the opening.

Cribriform hymen

The cribriform hymen has many small holes, which can mean that inserting a tampon is difficult. It may also take longer for menstrual blood to leave the body, resulting in longer periods.

Elastic hymen – What does that mean?

The hymen differs from woman to woman and changes throughout the various stages of life. Some women are born without a hymen; for others it's as though they don't have one, because it's so elastic that it stretches without bleeding.

Most of the time the hymen tears during first intercourse – even if you have an elastic hymen – but it's also perfectly possible that it won't.

Does an elastic hymen have any particular advantages or disadvantages?

While you can't really say that one hymen is 'better' or more 'advantageous' than another, it's generally accepted that an elastic hymen can mean less pain during first intercourse and even no bleeding at all.

A torn hymen – What does that mean?

Since ancient times, the hymen has been regarded as an indicator of female virginity. The truth is that the hymen can tear for reasons that have nothing to do with sexual intercourse.

Whatever the cause, a tearing hymen may be accompanied by slight bleeding or mild discomfort. Both are normal and usually pass after a short while.

What does a torn hymen look like?

A torn hymen doesn't look much different from an 'intact' one, and the tear is nothing to worry about.

How can the hymen tear?

The hymen may give way in the following circumstances:

• during an accident or a blow;
• during intense physical activity (as in competitive sport);
• during surgical procedures in which medical instruments are inserted into the vagina;
• as a result of masturbation;
• in some cases with no identifiable cause.

Only very rarely does a hymen tear through tampon use. Tampons pose no risk to your health provided that:

1. you choose the right size for you.
2. you use 100% organic tampons.
3. you change your tampon every few hours.

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Our customers agree:

My gynaecologist recommended that I use organic tampons, and after a long search I found ENROUSH. They're the best tampons I've ever tried. The fact that they contain no chemicals or fragrances makes them comfortable to wear, with no irritation or little spots on the skin – which is why I genuinely recommend them wholeheartedly.

Can a torn hymen grow back? 

A torn hymen won't regenerate naturally. There is, however, a surgical procedure called hymenoplasty that makes reconstruction possible.

What's the connection between losing your virginity & the hymen tearing?

Hymens come in different shapes and sizes – so it's important to understand that they aren't a reliable indicator of sexual activity. The original shape can change through masturbation or sex toys, but there are also cases in which it remains entirely unchanged. In other words: the hymen doesn't necessarily tear during intercourse – which is why not all women experience pain or bleeding the first time.

Studies show that only around 50% of women bleed during their first sexual intercourse.

The idea that a woman must inevitably bleed during her first sexual experience therefore remains a myth – one spread in cultures where it was customary or ritual to display the bedsheets publicly after the first night together. Blood meant that the woman was 'pure' and had not had intercourse before marriage. The reality is quite different, and today we know that virginity is just … a unicorn. 

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what 'being a virgin' means to you – and it's certainly not defined by a small piece of tissue in the vagina, torn or otherwise.

Hymenoplasty – What's it all about?

Setting aside societies and cultures in which a woman's social standing depended on the presence of her hymen (as a sign of purity), its value is fairly insignificant. Even its function remains vague. Even so, plastic surgeons have developed a procedure called hymenoplasty, in which the hymen is reconstructed.

Although such a procedure cannot psychologically restore 'virgin' status, the operation can be of benefit to women whose lives might be in danger without a hymen. 

There are two types of hymenoplasty:

• simple hymenoplasty – restoration of the hymen
• hymenoplasty with a hymen implant

In some countries, hymenoplasty is considered a form of female genital mutilation and is even banned in order to protect young women.

How does the hymen change over the course of a lifetime?

After birth, a doctor may examine your hymen to check whether a surgical procedure to remove tissue might be needed. At such an early age, however, the shape of the hymen isn't always easy to make out. A diagnosis may come much later – during puberty, once menstruation has begun and inserting a tampon proves difficult, or when you notice that your period is particularly long and painful.

Most women, though, aren't even aware their hymen is there. Nor do they feel it changing – even when it does. 

• The hymen at birth: at birth, the hymen may appear thicker and fleshier, stiffer and more sensitive. Once puberty begins, the ovaries produce the hormone oestrogen, which can make the hymenal tissue more elastic.
• The tearing of the hymen and the loss of virginity: it's true that for some people the hymen can tear or stretch during penetrative sex – but that isn't the case for everyone.
• Your hymen during and after a vaginal birth: as in puberty, the tissue of the hymen can become even more elastic as oestrogen levels rise during pregnancy, to allow for the birth. During delivery, your hymen may stretch further and tear as the baby passes through the vagina.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? You might find the information you're looking for here.

How do you know if the hymen has torn? 

Think of your hymen as a ring that stretches and sometimes tears over time – when something rubs against it or enters the vagina. If it tears, you may feel a mild pain and there may be brief bleeding, but it's equally normal to feel nothing at all. It's entirely possible that you won't notice when your hymen tears.

Does an intact hymen mean you're a virgin?

Medically speaking, there's no such thing as an 'intact' hymen, because there are so many variations in shape, size and thickness that it isn't easy to determine when it's 'untouched'.

More to the point: the hymen says nothing about whether you're a virgin or not, because it can tear in completely everyday moments unrelated to sexual activity (playing sport, having a smear test, masturbating) – or it may never tear at all.

How can I tell whether my hymen is healthy?

There are no signs that determine whether your hymen is healthy or not. However, since it's part of the female reproductive system, you should definitely see a gynaecologist if you feel that something isn't right.