What is the first thought that crosses your mind after you hear the word HYMEN?
Well, it’s something related to female virginity, I suppose.
You are not alone in this and that’s how most people think. The fact is, the hymen, just like other female parts, is misunderstood. But it’s high time to talk about the mysterious parts of the female body and break the taboos.
Let’s get into the details and answer all your questions about the hymen.
Table of Contents
Everything About Hymens – From Its Types to Hymen Breakage Signs
What is Hymen?
The word hymen ((ہائمن) originates from the Greek language, meaning membrane. This is basically a thin piece of skin that stretches across the vagina. However, unlike popular belief, this doesn’t cover the opening of the vagina.
Just like humans, elephants and other animals also possess hymen!
What Role Does Hymen Play?
No, the hymen is not known for any important biological function.
Experts at Doctors Hospital say that, just like your wisdom teeth and appendix, it remains vestigial that just stays there without any defined role. However, during embryonic stages, it is thought to prevent the entry of germs and dirt into the vagina.
What Does it Look Like?
Just like the vagina, the hymen comes in all shapes and sizes!
You heard it right. Dr. Rabbia Ashraf who is one of the best gynecologists in Pakistan says that there is no normal when it is what a hymen looks like. From its appearance to its elasticity and openings, hymen varies greatly.
Before we talk about hymen breakage signs or its association with virginity, let’s know about some of the common hymen types.
- Half Moon Hymen (Crescentic) – This type of hymen appears like a crescent or half-moon. This opening allows the menstrual blood to exit the female body.
- Annular Hymen (Circumferential) – This is another common type of hymen that has an opening at the 12 o’clock position
- Microerpforate Hymen – The type of hymen with one very small opening
- Cribriform Hymen – This refers to the type of hymen having several openings for menstrual blood or other vaginal secretions.
- Septate Hymen – This type of hymen has an additional tissue in the middle that results in the splitting of one vaginal opening into two.
- Imperforate Hymen – Some females are born with hymen without any opening. This means there is complete blockage leaving no exit point for menstrual blood and other secretions. In this case, surgery is required to make an opening and the condition is often diagnosed at birth or during puberty.
Your gynecologist can help you with the diagnosis of conditions like imperforate hymen. You can consult the best gynecologist in Karachi via Healthwire.pk if you suspect having any trouble with your hymen.
Does Everyone Possess Hymen?
Though most females are born with a hymen but this is not always the case. Some girls may be born without hymen and this is considered absolutely normal.
What Causes the Tearing of Hymen?
Unlike penetrative sexual intercourse, there are many other activities that result in the breaking of the hymen. According to several researches, hymen doesn’t indicate virginity status. You may experience hymen breakage signs if you do activities such as:
- Horse Riding
- Heavy weight lifting
- Gymnastics
- Climbing or obstacle games
- Swimming
- Insertion of tampon
- Injury
- Penetrative masturbation
So, an intact hymen is not a sign of virginity in females as many other activities can result in the breaking of the hymen.
Can I See the Hymen on My Own?
All these hymen facts can make you curious about what your hymen looks like, but let me tell you that you are not always going to visualize it.
Yes, sometimes it remains invisible due to its striking resemblance with your vagina. However, you can try using a mirror and flashlight to see this.
What are Hymen Breakage Signs?
If a woman’s hymen is not intact, she has lost her virginity!
Well, this is no more than a myth. Hymen breakage can occur with or without sexual intercourse. However, this is what the breaking or stretching of hymen looks like.
- Spotting or bleeding (that’s not your normal menstrual blood)
- Pain or discomfort
However, not everyone is going to experience these hymen breakage signs. For this very reason, some women may or may not bleed while having sex.
There is no such thing as hymen breakage…. It just gets stretched as a result of penetrative sex or other activities.
Does Breaking Hymen Always Cause Bleeding?
No, hymen breakage doesn’t always result in bleeding.
Some women may experience hymen breakage signs but for many others this doesn’t come with any obvious signs.
How Does Hymen Change Over Time?
Aging changes many things, from your hormonal levels to the way your bodies appear… And your hymen is not an exception to this.
Over time, you begin to experience the changes in your hymen. Let’s see how aging changes your hymen.
At birth, the hymen is thicker and less elastic and it breaks after a few days. Over time, the hymen becomes thin and sensitive. As soon as a girl hits puberty, hymen starts becoming more elastic and thicker in nature. During her pregnancy, the membrane even becomes more flexible to make the process of vaginal birth easier. However, as soon as her childbearing age ends and she enters menopause, her hymen starts getting thinner again.
Estrogen is the hormone associated with the alteration in hymen and other vaginal tissues over time!
Can Hymen Grow Back Naturally?
Many women wonder if they can grow back their hymen naturally. Well, the answer is no!
The hymen is a tissue that gets stretched and has no natural ability to regenerate itself. So, no matter what causes you to experience hymen breakage signs, you are not likely to get it back.
From Myths to Hymen Breakage Signs – Let’s Conclude It
Female bodies remained misunderstood, maligned and understudied… and HYMEN is not an exception to this!
Hymen is merely a tissue that has no biological role to play. Hymen comes in all shapes and sizes and varies widely among females. It’s not your VIRGINITY CARD either. Though there are many common hymen breakage signs, not every experience is the same. Further, hymen shape or type isn’t related to any medical condition or complication.
No matter what this tiny membrane appears to be, it doesn’t make you less desirable. So, ladies it is high time to start breaking these taboos and understand your bodies well.
Because a woman’s health is her capital!
