The hymen is a thin piece of mucosal tissue that surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening. It forms part of the vulva , or external genitalia , and is similar in structure to the vagina. Tearing the hymen during the first sexual intercourse usually causes pain and, sometimes, some light bleeding. In children, a common appearance of the hymen is crescent -shaped, although many shapes are possible. During puberty , estrogen causes the hymen to change in appearance [3] and become very elastic. The hymen usually rips or tears during the first time penetrative intercourse , which usually results in pain and, sometimes, mild temporary bleeding or spotting. Sources differ on how common bleeding after first intercourse is. Minor injuries to the hymen may heal [10] without visible signs of previous injury. A torn hymen may be surgically restored in a procedure called hymenorrhaphy. The genital tract develops during embryogenesis , from the third week of gestation to the second trimester , and the hymen is formed following the vagina.
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Global problem
The belief that it is easier to discern the virgin state of a woman than a man is more fable than fact, argues medical anthropologist Sherria Ayuandini. Unfortunately, it is still widely believed and practised to subjugate women. The Human Rights Watch condemned the test as a form of gender-based violence and called on the military to end the practice immediately, which it says violates the prohibition of inhuman treatment under international human rights law. Many pointed out the injustice of the practice, arguing that it is sexist, painful and traumatising. They also point out that virginity is irrelevant to whether or not an officer would be able to do her police duty. Virginity testing is not unique to Indonesia. Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Iraq, to name a few, have had their fair share of controversial virginity testing. In Turkey in the s , five students attempted suicide rather than be subjected to the test, so it was subsequently banned. The ways the test is done could vary from one place to another. In some places in Iraq, the test is visual.
Test procedures
Please refresh the page and retry. Through a hobby group I've now met someone special and we want to have sex. I'm now worried I might be mistaken about myself. Can you help me explain this to him? I can try and help you explain this to him, although I wonder if it is really worth your time. Besides, there is something far more important I want you to hold on to. You are not mistaken.
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its Additional file 1. So-called virginity testing, also referred to as hymen, two-finger, or per vaginal examination, is the inspection of the female genitalia to assess if the examinee has had or has been habituated to sexual intercourse. This paper is the first systematic review of available evidence on the medical utility of virginity testing by hymen examination and its potential impacts on the examinee. Ten electronic databases and other sources for articles published in English were systematically searched from database inception until January Studies reporting on the medical utility or impact on the examinee of virginity testing were included. Evidence was summarized and assessed via a predesigned data abstraction form. Meta-analysis was not possible. Seventeen of identified studies were included.
