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The hymen is located on either side of the vagina, or it may surround it completely. You can check what your hymen looks like easily at home by looking at your vulva with a handheld mirror. Your hymen is likely to look one of two ways:
Donât worry if you canât see your hymen at all â itâs natural for it to wear down over time. Most people wonât be able to easily see their hymen after puberty, regardless of whether or not theyâve had sex, and some people are born with such a small hymen that itâs very hard to see in the first place.
Most people wonât experience any problems with their hymen. However, there are some conditions to be aware of. Hymens are categorized in five different ways:
The exact purpose of the hymen isnât known, itâs thought it may protect the vagina from infection, but most people wonât even notice the absence of a hymen when it's gone. There is very little research into this area, but the evidence available suggests the hymen doesnât serve any important function.
The hymen is unlikely to break all at once â itâs more likely to wear down over time. Everyone is different, and some people may notice a small amount of bleeding or pain as their hymen breaks, but most people wonât notice any hymen breakage signs at all.
Most peopleâs hymen will have already torn by the time they have sex for the first time. Any kind of vaginal penetration may contribute to the hymen tearing or stretching, including masturbation, inserting a tampon, or penetrative vaginal intercourse.
In many cultures, there is an expectation that women should bleed after the first time theyâve had sex to indicate the hymen has broken. But in most cases, there is no visible change to the body after the first time we have sex, and hymen breakage can occur due to various activities, not only sexual intercourse. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology released a statement back in 2019 that they do not have guidance on virginity testing.
Living a regular healthy, and active life can cause the hymen to wear down, stretch, and disappear over time. Activities from horseback riding to gymnastics can contribute to this, but any physical activity can have an impact on our bodies. Itâs more important to enjoy a healthy and active life than to worry about what may or may not cause the hymen to tear.
You don't need to do anything to look after your hymen. The vagina is a marvel! Did you know the vagina is self-cleaning? Rinsing the vulva area with warm water and letting the vagina do its thing is often enough to keep this area healthy and clean. In fact, vaginas are sensitive to soaps and lotions, and even specially-tailored washes can cause a pH imbalance in this area.
Most problems related to the hymen, such as an imperforate hymen, become obvious during puberty. If you experience pain or have difficulty inserting tampons or other menstrual cups, itâs a good idea to consult with your healthcare professional.
Thereâs plenty of stigma surrounding this small piece of skin, and even today, many people believe that the presence of a hymen can indicate whether or not youâve had sex. In most cases, the hymen doesnât tear during sex. In fact, it wears down over time, and while vaginal penetration can cause this to happen, a missing or torn hymen is not a good indication of whether or not someone has had penetrative sex or not.
Phrases like âpopping the cherryâ imply that the hymen is a seal that blocks off the vagina. For most people, the hymen only partially covers the vagina, this is why period blood can still pass through, and itâs possible to still use tampons and have penetrative sex with the hymen still present.
While weâre dispelling the myth of âpopping,â letâs also talk about breaking. The hymen isnât some magical barrier, nor is it hard and brittle. Itâs just a piece of skin that wears down over time. When youâre younger, youâre more likely to have more of your hymen in place, but even as a sexually active adult, you may still be able to see your hymen around the vaginal opening.
Vulvas are like snowflakes, and when it comes to the hymen, itâs no different. Your hymen might be bigger, smaller, or a different shape to someone elseâs â and thatâs OK. One of the great things about our bodies is that they are unique. However, if you ever have any questions or are worried that something isnât quite right down there, make sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner.
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