Female Body Concerns / Question
Published: May 2, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hey there. I am a 15-year old female that rides horses regularly, and I am wondering if, by any chance my hymen may have broken yet, and I am still a virgin. There was no sign of blood, ever since I've had my first serious riding lesson a year or two ago. Thanks.
Signed: Wondering - Equestrian & Hymen
Dear Wondering - Equestrian & Hymen,
The hymen can break for any number of reasons unrelated to sexual intercourse. Horseback riding can definitely cause the hymen to tear. It can also separate by inserting a tampon, when the body is stretched strenuously, like in sports and sometimes it will tear for no apparent reason at all.
Some other hymen facts are: It is a thin membrane that surrounds the vaginal opening. It only partially blocks the opening. Hymens come in many different shapes and sizes, but should never block the vaginal opening completely. It is possible that a woman's hymen will never break and there are women who are born without a hymen. If the hymen was whole at one point and torn, then it will not grow back. Even if your hymen breaks through other activities (other than sex), you are still considered a virgin (if you have not had sexual intercourse).
While it is common for some slight bleeding and slight pain to accompany the separation of the hymen, many women experience the process without even noticing it.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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