Body & health

Hymen

Alsovaginal coronahymenal membranehymens

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

The hymen is a thin, flexible fold of tissue at or just inside the vaginal opening. Its shape varies widely and it cannot show whether someone has had sex.

At a glance

  • The hymen is a thin, flexible fold of tissue at or just inside the vaginal opening.
  • Most hymens already have an opening, which lets menstrual blood out.
  • It can change through everyday activity, tampon use or growth, not only through sex.
  • Its appearance cannot show whether someone has had sex.
  • The WHO and UN agencies call for an end to so-called virginity testing.

In detail

Most hymens are crescent- or ring-shaped and already have an opening, which lets menstrual blood out. The tissue is stretchy, and it can change over time through everyday activity, tampon use or growth, not only through sex. Some people are born with very little hymenal tissue.

The belief that an intact hymen proves virginity is a myth, and so-called virginity testing has no scientific basis. The World Health Organization and UN agencies call for an end to the practice because it is a human rights violation and can cause harm.

In a sentence

  • The health teacher explained that the hymen is stretchy tissue and not a seal that breaks.
  • The article debunked the myth that you can tell from the hymen whether someone has had sex.

Where the word comes from

From Greek hymen, meaning membrane. In Greek mythology Hymen was also the name of the god of marriage.

Common questions

Can a doctor tell if someone is a virgin by looking at the hymen?

No. Hymens vary widely in shape and can change through everyday activities, tampon use and growth. The belief that an intact hymen proves virginity is a myth, and virginity testing has no scientific basis. The World Health Organization and UN agencies call for the practice to end because it is a human rights violation and can cause harm.

Does the hymen always bleed the first time someone has sex?

No. Many people do not bleed, because the hymen is flexible and often already stretched or open. Bleeding or not bleeding says nothing about past sexual experience. Pain or bleeding that worries you can be discussed with a doctor or sexual health clinic.

Related terms

Sources

  1. Planned ParenthoodWhat are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?
  2. WHOSexual health