Fact: Although there is a strong belief associated with intact hymen as an alleged marker of virginity in many cultures, the fact is that ‘an intact or broken hymen’ in most cases can’t tell us much about a woman’s sexual history.

Read further to know what is hymen and why there is so much ‘issue surrounding the tissue’

Why is the myth ‘A broken hymen means lost virginity’ so popular?‘

Intact hymen equates to virginity’ is a very popular age-old misconception. For very long there has been a strong belief in many cultures that the hymen breaks upon first-time penetration during a vaginal sexual intercourse. Often a broken or an un-intact hymen is taken as an indication that the girl/woman was already engaged in vaginal intercourse earlier. 

What is hymen?

Hymen is a left-over or a remnant tissue from vaginal formation during embryonic development. It is found just inside the opening of the vagina. It usually assumes a crescent shape or a ring-like configuration around the vaginal opening, but does not cover the vagina completely. Medically, hymen has no proven physiological purpose and the tissue size varies from person-to-person. 

Debunking the Myth

  • Many women do not experience hymen tearing (rupture) or bleeding during their first vaginal intercourse. 
  • Vaginal intercourse is not the only way to break the hymen.
  • A hymen can break due to strenuous physical activities as well.
  • Some women are born with a thin and delicate hymen or no hymen at all.

Take Home Message - An intact hymen for long has garnered an undue limelight as the symbol of virginity, in reality it is just a remnant tissue with no defined physiological function in the woman’s body and it is in no way related to a girl/woman’s virginity.

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