The hymen is a thin layer of tissue that encircles or partially covers the vaginal opening. It can tear as a result of daily activities, hormonal changes, tampon use, and sexual activity.
Hymens come in all shapes and sizes, and some women are born without a hymen at all. Many people have the misconception that a virgin’s hymen will break during vaginal penetration, but this is untrue.
Hymen
A hymen is a thin membrane that sits at the bottom of the vaginal opening. It’s hard to see because it’s in a tight spot, but you can sometimes get a look at it with a small hand mirror or when your doctor or gynecologist is doing an exam. Hymens vary in size, shape and thickness. Some are very thin and don’t tear or leak during sex, while others are very thick and may cause bleeding the first time you have sex. Both are totally normal!
Hymens come in many different shapes and sizes, but they’re usually annular or crescentic. Annular hymens are like donuts that surround the entire vaginal opening, while crescentic hymens are shaped like a crescent moon and only partially cover the vaginal opening. Newborns are usually born with an annular hymen, but they’ll change to a crescent-shaped one around the time they start puberty.
It’s important to know what your hymen looks like so that you can identify it if you need to. But don’t stress about whether your hymen “broke” during sex or not — that’s really not the point of virginity. It’s more about getting familiar with your body and learning about how it works. So, don’t be afraid to take a moment with a mirror or check out apps like Flo to learn more about your anatomy!
Vaginal corona
The vagina ends at a hole called the vulva, which includes a circular arrangement of mucous tissue folds and the clitoris (clit). A person’s vulva looks different because they are all individually shaped. The clit and the labia minora (inner lips) are on both sides of the vaginal opening, and the hymen is at the centre of the opening.
The hymen is a thin membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening. It varies in shape, size and appearance, and is influenced by hormones. The hymen is usually present until puberty, when it changes shape and texture. Some people may be born with an imperforate hymen, and they will need to have it surgically opened before they can get regular periods, use tampons, or have any kind of insertive vaginal sex.
Because the hymen is not a brittle membrane, it does not hurt to stretch out the mucous tissue folds when you are inserting a tampon, masturbating or having insertive sex. However, it can cause a little bleeding.
You cannot tell whether a person has had sexual intercourse or not based on how they look, smell or act. This is why it is important that women and men learn about their bodies so they can make healthy choices for themselves. If you have been sexually assaulted, it is vital to seek medical help immediately.
Vaginal lining
The inside of your vagina is lined with a layer of mucosal tissue, similar to the tissue that lines your mouth and nose. The tissues are arranged in many folds, which give the vagina both its structure and flexibility. The lining also releases fluids that help keep the vagina moist and, during sexual arousal, increase lubrication.
The lining of your vagina changes throughout life. During the reproductive years after menarche and before menopause, more layers of tissue are present in the lining, as a result of higher estrogen levels (3). During this time, the lining is softer and more sensitive to friction, which can lead to painful intercourse called dyspareunia.
After you stop having periods, your lining becomes thinner and drier. This may cause pain during sexual penetration, especially if you don’t use enough lubrication. You can try using a water-based lubricant before sex or engaging in foreplay to get yourself more aroused to reduce friction and pain during sex.
A lot of people think that they can tell if someone is a virgin by touching them or performing a pelvic exam. However, it is important to note that there are a number of things that can prevent you from being a virgin, including circumcision and female genital cutting (which are often done for religious reasons) or trauma caused by sexual assault or rape. In addition, a person can be a virgin even after having penis-in-vagina sex, as different people have different definitions of what constitutes “sex” and losing virginity (4).
Vaginal odor
Everyone has body odor, but for some females, vaginal odor can be especially noticeable. Fortunately, most vaginal odors are completely normal and don’t require any treatment. The vulva and the surrounding area contain healthy bacteria that produce a distinct scent. Some of these odors are fruity, while others are more earthy and fermented. They can also vary with the time of the month, during pregnancy, and after sex.
Food can influence your vulva’s smell, too, particularly strong-smelling foods like onions and garlic. The reason for this is that the scents from these foods get excreted through sweat glands in the vulva and into your pee, Jennifer Landa, MD, an OB-GYN at BodyLogicMD in Orlando, Florida tells Health.
If your vulva smells fishy, it could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), an infection that leads to itching and a thick, white discharge. BV can also cause a painful stinging sensation. If you have BV, you should speak to your doctor immediately.
A fishy odor can also indicate that you have a yeast infection, which typically causes itching and a thick, yellowish discharge. You can treat a yeast infection at home by using a vaginal gel, such as RepHresh Vaginal Gel, which helps balance the pH levels in the vulva. This can help eliminate the odor and prevent an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
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