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| The '''hymen''' (or '''maidenhead''') is a vaginal ] present in human females, which completely or partially occludes the ]l opening. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "membrane". Because sexual activity would usually puncture this membrane, its presence has been considered a guarantor of ] in societies that place a high value on female ] before marriage. | The '''hymen''' (or '''maidenhead''') is a vaginal ] present in human females, which completely or partially occludes the ]l opening. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "membrane". Because sexual activity would usually puncture this membrane, its presence has been considered a guarantor of ] in societies that place a high value on female ] before marriage. | ||
| Nonetheless, the hymen is often lost during childhood in the course of normal physical activities such as bike riding, gymnastics, or sometimes falling down the wrong way; it is also possible for the hymen to break while using ]s. Some women can engage in sexual intercourse without the hymen breaking; some are born with no hymen at all, others with ''closed hymens'' that require a medical procedure to allow menstruation, while others have overly thick hymens that may require a ] to break the hymen to prevent pain for the woman during ]. For these and many other reasons, the hymen should not be used as iron clad evidence for or against one's chastity or ]ity. | Nonetheless, the hymen is often lost during childhood in the course of normal physical activities such as bike riding, gymnastics, or sometimes falling down the wrong way; it is also possible for the hymen to break while using ]s. Some women can engage in sexual intercourse without the hymen breaking; some are born with no hymen at all, others with ''closed hymens'' that require a medical procedure to allow menstruation, while others have overly thick hymens that may require a ] to break the hymen to prevent pain for the woman during ]. For these and many other reasons, the hymen should not be used as iron clad evidence for or against one's chastity or ]ity. | ||
| Sometimes a woman has the hymen surgically restored in order to feign virginity. | Sometimes a woman has the hymen surgically restored in order to feign virginity. | ||
Revision as of 00:36, 4 November 2003
The hymen (or maidenhead) is a vaginal membrane present in human females, which completely or partially occludes the vaginal opening. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "membrane". Because sexual activity would usually puncture this membrane, its presence has been considered a guarantor of virginity in societies that place a high value on female chastity before marriage.
Nonetheless, the hymen is often lost during childhood in the course of normal physical activities such as bike riding, gymnastics, or sometimes falling down the wrong way; it is also possible for the hymen to break while using tampons. Some women can engage in sexual intercourse without the hymen breaking; some are born with no hymen at all, others with closed hymens that require a medical procedure to allow menstruation, while others have overly thick hymens that may require a gynecologist to break the hymen to prevent pain for the woman during sex. For these and many other reasons, the hymen should not be used as iron clad evidence for or against one's chastity or virginity.
Sometimes a woman has the hymen surgically restored in order to feign virginity.
Hymen is also an alternate name for the Greek goddess Hymenaios.