hymens
Thin vaginal membranes
Hymens are thin membranes partially covering the vaginal opening.
The hymen has historically been treated as proof of virginity, though this is medically inaccurate—hymens vary naturally in shape and thickness, and can stretch or tear from exercise, tampon use, or other non-sexual activity.
The doctor explained that hymens don't work the way most people think.
Absence of carnal experience
- purityUncontaminated quality
- chastityAbstaining from sexual activity
- marriageFormal union between partners
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
tradition · honor · inspection · testing · defloration · bloodstain · ritual · patriarchy
Thin tissue sheet
virginal · rupture · intact · perforate · mucosal · elastic · fold · orifice
Having no holes
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- hymenectomySurgical membrane removal
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- amenorrheaLack of menstruation
diagnosis · examination · congenital · anomaly · pediatric · gynecology · surgical · correction
virginity
Absence of carnal experience
- purityUncontaminated quality
- chastityAbstaining from sexual activity
- marriageFormal union between partners
wedding · tradition · honor · inspection · testing · defloration · bloodstain · ritual · patriarchy · misconception
membrane
Thin tissue sheet
opening · virginal · rupture · intact · perforate · mucosal · elastic · fold · orifice · annular
imperforate
Having no holes
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- hymenectomySurgical membrane removal
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
amenorrhea · diagnosis · examination · congenital · anomaly · pediatric · gynecology · surgical · correction · dilation
wedding
Marriage rite and feast
veil · ceremony · nuptial · bridal · Aphrodite · Dionysus · invocation · procession · ancient · deity