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The Sex Organs - The Female Sex Organs
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The Hymen
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What is the function of the hymen?
The hymen has no known biological function. However, in some ancient and even modern cultures it was and is given some pychosocial significance.
What was and is the psychosocial significance of the hymen?
There was and is a belief that an unbroken hymen proves a woman's virginity, i.e. her sexual inexperience. However, such a belief is nothing more than a superstition. A hymen usually has one or several holes in it which may be stretchable and thus allow for the insertion of fingers, or even a penis, without tearing. On the other hand, in some women the hymen tears easily, not only as a result of coitus but also because of strenuous physical exercise or sports activities. In some cases, the hymen is even absent altogether. Therefore, the condition of a woman's hymen does not prove anything one way or the other about her sexual innocence or experience. In most cases, the first coitus may very well be the occasion for the breaking of the hymen, but it can, of course, also occur during masturbation and petting, or when the woman first uses menstrual tampons. See also this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx-LEPF2Ok4
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Various shapes of the hymen
The hymen differs from one woman to another.
It may almost totally close the vaginal opening, or it may have several small or even one large hole in it. In the latter case, it may seem broken when it is actually still intact.
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Does the tearing of the hymen hurt?
The tearing of the hymen may cause some initial discomfort and slight bleeding. However, there is no reason for women to fear any great pain. On both sides of the vaginal opening, between the edge of the hymen and the minor lips, are the greater vestibular glands (Bartholin's glands), which correspond to the bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands in the male. The greater vestibular glands secrete a small amount of lubricating fluid. However, most of the vaginal lubrication needed for coitus is not provided by these glands but by the wall of the vagina itself.
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