Sex
Doctors weigh in on the various ways one can determine whether or not their hymen is intact.
Of all the ways to describe your first time, popping your cherry is probably the most archaic (and yes, graphic). It refers to the theory that your hymen (the thin tissue at the opening of your vagina) breaks during sex, which might cause bleeding (hence the red color of the cherry). But how do you know if you popped your cherry or not? Especially when, newsflash, whether one's hymen is or is not intact is not an indication of one's sexual history as there are multiple ways a hymen can tear that have nothing to do with intercourse.
While it's considered a bit antiquated these days, the expression “to pop your cherry” dates way back to the '70s, Dictionary.com reported. (Although the usage of cherries with a sexual connotation goes even further back to the 1600s.) The said fruit in question is supposed to represent a woman’s vagina, and it’s definitely a slang term you wouldn’t want to use in mixed company.
“The hymen is a tissue remnant from when the vagina forms during embryonic development,” OB/GYN Dr. Lauren Demosthenes, MD, tells Romper in an email. “It has no purpose at all.”
So it’s a body part you can do without, in case you were wondering. And that myth that your "cherry gets popped" the first time you have sex? Well, that’s also incorrect — most of the time. “If it hasn't broken from vigorous normal activity (and some women have firmer tissue than others), it may be broken at first intercourse,” OB/GYN Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, explains to Romper. “But to be honest, that happens rarely these days.”
So if you’re unsure about the state of your own hymen, here are some ways to know for sure.
5
You Have Sex
So, here’s the thing about the belief that you "pop your cherry" the first time you have sex. It’s not always true, although it sometimes might be. To be honest, it’s kind of complicated. “It is a myth that the hymen breaks the first time a person has intercourse,” says Dr. Lauren Demosthenes. See, the hymen is a springy little sucker, and while the chances are highly likely that if it hasn’t broken before you have sex that it will break during intercourse, it’s not an automatic guarantee. “Virginity cannot be determined by an exam because the hymen is stretchy and can accommodate a penis and then fall back into place,” says Dr. Langdon.
Case in point. In the study: “The little tissue that couldn’t — dispelling myths about the Hymen’s role in determining sexual history and assault,” researchers found that an intact or broken hymen wasn’t an accurate indicator of a woman’s sexual activities. They cited the hymen as “not an accurate or reliable test of a previous history of sexual activity.” While chances are penetration (or even some sex toys) can rupture your hymen, it’s not always the case. In theory, then, you might be able to have sex, and still have your hymen intact, depending on its density.
6
You Do A Self-Exam
You’ve been doing a lot of strenuous activity when you suddenly feel a pinch in your lady parts. Has your hymen been disturbed? Well, there’s one way to find out. If you’re not afraid to do some digging, you can check yourself to see if it’s still there. “A woman could look with a mirror and try to insert a tampon or her finger to see what she sees,” says Dr. Demosthenes. And while you might be able to feel the hymen (or lack thereof), “it’s only possible if you know what you’re feeling for,” says Dr. Langdon.
There are a myriad of ways that you can "pop your cherry," and few, if any, actually involve intercourse. Some girls are even born without a hymen, according to that same study. Still, if you experience pain or bleeding that’s not associated with your period, you should always speak with your doctor about it.
Studies Referenced:
Mishori, R., Ferdowsian, H., Naimer, K., Volpellier, M., McHale, T., “The little tissue that couldn’t — dispelling myths about the Hymen’s role in determining sexual history and assault” 2019.
Experts:
Dr. Lauren Demosthenes, MD, an OB/GYN and Senior Medical Director with Babyscripts
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, an OB/GYN and Clinical Professor of OB/GYN at Yale
Dr. Kim Langdon, MD, an OB/GYN
Original reporting by Autumn Jones.
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