Bleeding after sexual intercourse was incorrectly thought to be proof of an unbroken hymen, and thus, proof that a person had not had sex before. The reality, however, is that the state of your hymen has nothing to do with sexual activity.
With the help of Dr. Jessica Shepherd , a board-certified ob-gyn and a spokesperson for Paragard, and Alexandra Eisler , a health and sex educator from Healthy Teen Network, we're going to separate fact from fiction and explain what a hymen is, how a hymen breaks, and its complicated relationship with the historical concept of virginity.
Read on for 9 facts you need to know about this tiny tissue. But first, let's get our definitions clear:. The hymen is just a portion of the vaginal canal that really doesn't serve a purpose. It has no known biological function and it does not, in any way, indicate whether or someone has engaged in sexual activity. The hymen can be broken in a variety of ways.
Sexual activity including penetration, oral sex, fingering, and masturbation can break the hymen, yes, but so can the insertion of a tampon or even exercising. It's also worth noting that you can break your hymen without even knowing it. Shepherd explains that it's entirely possible to disrupt the hymen during a weight-bearing exercise and not feel a thing.
It's also possible to notice a bit of bleeding and tenderness. It's different for everyone. It is possible to engage in sexual activity without breaking the hymen. It's very possible that the hymen could not be broken during fingering or oral sex, explains Dr.
One commonly misunderstood part of female anatomy is the hymen. Many people might be surprised to learn that the hymen has no proven medical or physiological purpose. That situation is rare, and it can interfere sex or tampon usage, but it can be removed surgically.
Though there are many instances where women do experience a small amount of bleeding from hymenal tearing at first intercourse, this is by no means a universal experience, as there are many women who have very little tissue there in the first place. Another common myth is that the hymen is rigid and penetrable. The tissue is actually stretchy and flexible, which means it does not necessarily tear with penetration.
In many cases, some tearing or stretching occurs over time from tampons, gynecological exams or vigorous exercise. The idea that virginity can be measured or verified is perhaps the most harmful and damaging myth. In reality, the only way to find out if a woman has had sex is to ask her. Ohio State is filling training gaps for Ohio health care providers with two projects designed by experts in maternal-fetal medicine and emergency medicine. The hymen has usually thinned by the time you first experience vaginal penetration — whether with tampons or something else — so sexual activity will have little to no effect.
There are a number of things that can cause your hymen to tear or wear down. Certain physical activities and sports, for example, can stretch the membrane and cause it to thin. There are a number of reasons why sex might hurt the first time. For example:. But there are a number of ways to reduce pain around sexual activity — and it is possible to have sex for the first time without feeling pain. Talking to your partner about sex can reduce your anxiety.
During foreplay, your body realizes it will be having sex, so it starts producing its own vaginal lubricant. How long should you spend on foreplay? Foreplay itself can be a fun experience, for both you and your partner. So, take your time and figure out what you like. Ten minutes is a good goal to aim for, but you might simply wait until your vagina is wet enough for penetration. Whether you get wet easily or not, lube is always a good idea.
The lubrication makes penetration easier and less painful. Do some research before buying a lube that works for you. If one sex position feels uncomfortable for you, change it up! When it comes to penis-in-vagina sex, missionary position is often comfortable. This is where the person with the vagina lies on their back while the person with the penis lies facedown on top of them.
You can prop a pillow underneath your hips to make the position more comfortable and pleasurable for you and your partner. If your partner is penetrating you with their fingers or a sex toy , try lying on your back with your legs spread slightly apart. You should be just as mindful of the positions you use when you masturbate.
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