Facts you didnt know about the hymen a.k.a cherry- FYI its not related to sex like you think.

Now let’s set the record straight on the hymen a.k.a cherry and virginity. For many years we have considered the hymen to be synonymous with virginity. We believe that the hymen is torn the first time a woman has sex and thus some bleeding and pain occurs. And if a woman’s hymen is torn then she is definitely not a virgin and after the first sexual experience the hymen disappears into oblivion. Sound familiar? Here are some facts I bet you didn’t know.

1. The hymen does not totally Cover Your Vagina

The various types of hymen

The hymen is a pinkish tissue that is a bit ruffled in shape, that narrows the vaginal opening, but does not close it off altogether. Some people believe that the hymen is a solid membrane stretched across the vagina like a door. Think about that for a minute. If it is a solid membrane across your vagina, then how will your menstrual blood escape. The hymen is actually a semi-permeable membrane I.e a membrane with small holes in it that allows fluid to pass through. In some people the hymen is a solid membrane I.e imperforated, this is a medical condition needs surgery. Some times the hymen has a whole in it large enough for a tampon to pass or even a penis without tearing it.

2. The hymen is at the entrance of the vagina.

Most people think the hymen is tucked away deep inside the vagina and can only be reached by penetration by a penis. In fact, this couldn't be more wrong because it is right at the opening of the vagina, which kind of explains the confusion about virginity and the hymen.

3. The hymen has serves no purpose in adulthood.

Experts are not sure what the purpose of the hymen is in adults. It is believed that the hymen acts as a barrier in a developing baby protecting it getting vaginal infections when in the womb. In adults the hymen doesn't seem to have a function like the appendix. 

4. They hymen does not always “break” the first time you have sex.

Another misconception is that the first time a girl or woman has sexual intercourse the tissue breaks. But the hymen will either stretch or  tear a bit in one or two places. Often with no bleeding and little or no pain. There are other ways your hymen can tear besides sex such as rigorous exercise, gymnastics, dancing, horseback riding, cycling, using tampons, pelvic examination etc. As a matter of fact, in some girls the hymen may be stretched or torn during childhood from the activities mentioned.

5. You Might Not Know When It Breaks

If the hymen does  tear during sex, you may find intercourse painful and experience bleeding but if the tear occurs during other activities you may not even be aware of it. You might bleed a little and but it down to spotting due to your period.

6. The hymen doesn’t always break when you have sex.

You often hear about the hymen breaking with first intercourse. It can happen, but if a woman is relaxed during intercourse and has good lubrication and she or her partner has tried to stretch the hymen with fingers, then it likely won't break. So, you can't tell for sure if someone is a virgin if they have a hymen.

7. The hymen is there for life.

After it breaks the hymen just goes off to the side of the vagina and is never dealt with again but it doesn’t disappear. Although in women who have given birth vaginally, you can't actually tell where the hymen would have been.