What is virginity?
Virginity may be a quality that we all have – it's not a physical thing. it's your option to share your virginity and knowledge of sexual intimacy with another person – without pressure or impairment (eg, from drugs or alcohol). It can't be lost or taken by somebody else. this is often really important to know because you're responsible for your body and for your sexuality.
Everyone born with a vagina features a hymen, a collar of tissue at the doorway to your vagina. even as all bodies are different, hymens also are different. watching a hymen doesn't tell you anything about virginity.
Key points
- There is tons of misinformation about the hymen and the way it relates to virginity.
- We aren't sure of the precise biological role of the hymen.
- Hymens aren't commonly damaged by sexual intercourse or sports. Hymens change throughout life in response to hormone levels (primarily estrogens).
- Virginity isn't a physical thing, but a top quality that you simply can prefer to share with someone – it can't be removed or lost.
- It is common to not bleed the primary time you've got sex – bleeding (or not) doesn’t say anything about virginity.
What is a normal hymen?
The hymen may be a stretchy collar of tissue at the doorway to your vagina. it's protected by your labia. It is often compared to a scrunchie (hair tie) – with bunched-up tissue that expands when stretched (eg, during sex or using tampons) then returns to its bunched-up shape afterward. Hymens are available in many various shapes and sizes. they'll have a hoop shape, half-moon shape, or squiggly edges with notches – all of those are normal. the dimensions of the opening in your hymen also vary in size and shape.
How does the hymen change?
- Before puberty, your hymen is thin and should be sensitive.
- During puberty, increased hormones (estrogen) cause your hymen and other vaginal tissues to become thicker and stretchier.
- During pregnancy, increased hormones cause your vaginal tissues to become even stretchier to permit childbirth.
- Childbirth can also change the form of your hymen and your vaginal tissues.
- With menopause and aging, your hymen and other vaginal tissues become thinner again (as estrogen decreases).
Can you tell if someone is a virgin based on whether they bleed when they have sex?
You cannot tell if someone may be a virgin or not supported whether or not they bleed the primary time they need sex. About half of women bleed once they first roll in the hay, and half of the women don’t bleed. Both are completely normal. Bleeding may come from small splits in your hymen or your vagina itself. The bleeding should be lighter than a period and shouldn’t last for quite a few days as these tears heal quickly because there's an honest blood supply. Some hymens are stretchier than others and can never split or bleed. it's impossible to inform by watching a hymen whether you've got had a sexual activity or not. Other factors like vaginal dryness, not being aroused (turned on), skin conditions (infection or inflammation), and rough sexual contact also can cause bleeding.