As extra girls take into account menstrual cups as an choice for managing their intervals, questions have emerged about whether or not utilizing them can affect the hymen or a lady’s virginity.
Some folks worry that inserting a menstrual cup may “break” the hymen, trigger a lady to lose her virginity or completely make the vagina “loose”.
Speaking with PT Health Watch, Elizabeth Adewale, a Certified Holistic Sex Educator and Public Health Professional, mentioned many of those issues stem from misconceptions concerning the hymen and what it means medically to be a virgin.
Hymen modifications
According to Ms Adewale, inserting a menstrual cup can stretch the hymen and, in some instances, could trigger a small tear, however “this does not mean that a woman has lost her virginity.”
She defined that the hymen is a skinny, elastic fold of tissue across the vaginal opening that varies in form, thickness and elasticity from lady to lady.
“If it were a seal, menstrual blood and normal vaginal discharge wouldn’t be able to come out,” she mentioned.
Ms Adewale mentioned the hymen also can change for causes unrelated to sexual activity, together with bodily actions similar to biking, gymnastics and different train. She added that some girls could have little or no hymenal tissue, whereas in others it could be tough to see.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) additionally explains that the hymen is a thin membrane that partially covers the doorway to the vagina and could be stretched or torn via tampon use, sports activities actions or medical procedures. It additionally says the presence or absence of the hymen doesn’t point out “virginity”.
Virginity marker
Ms Adewale mentioned the assumption that each lady is born with a hymen that is still intact till her first sexual expertise is wrong.
“The hymen is not a virginity marker,” she mentioned.
She defined that the hymen doesn’t merely disappear after sexual activity and might nonetheless be current afterwards, though its look could have modified.
According to the professional, which means that a lady’s hymen can not set up whether or not she has had intercourse.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there isn’t any scientific or clinical examination that may show whether or not a lady or lady has had vaginal intercourse. It additionally states that the looks of the hymen can not show whether or not somebody has had sexual activity or is sexually lively.
Vaginal elasticity
Another concern is that inserting a menstrual cup may completely stretch the vagina and make it “loose”.
Ms Adewale mentioned there isn’t any medical foundation for this perception.
“The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal,” she mentioned, noting that it may calm down, broaden and contract relying on what is going on.
She mentioned inserting or eradicating a menstrual cup doesn’t completely stretch the vagina.
“Your vagina isn’t going to suddenly become a wide-open hole because you’ve used a menstrual cup,” she mentioned.
However, Ms Adewale famous that vaginal insertion could be painful or tough for some girls.
She defined that girls with vaginismus, as an illustration, could expertise involuntary tightening of the vaginal or pelvic flooring muscle tissues, making the insertion of a menstrual cup, tampon, finger or penis painful or tough.
“It’s not because their vagina is too small,” she mentioned.
According to ACOG, vaginismus is an involuntary tightening of the muscle tissues on the opening of the vagina that may make penetration painful or tough.
Using menstral cup
For girls who select to attempt a menstrual cup, Ms Adewale suggested first-time customers to not rush the method.
READ ALSO: Group calls for reusable pads as menstrual stigma, access gaps persist
She beneficial stress-free earlier than insertion, washing the arms and cleansing the cup correctly, discovering a snug place and following the producer’s directions on how you can fold and insert the cup.
A girl can squat, sit on the bathroom or stand with one leg raised on a stool, she mentioned, including that taking gradual, deep breaths also can assist.
“Once you’ve successfully inserted it, allow it to open properly and create a seal, but don’t force it. If you experience significant pain, stop, don’t have to force it,” she mentioned.
She added that first-time customers may have time to develop into snug with the method and perceive what works greatest for them.
Ms Adewale mentioned the selection of menstrual product is private and ladies shouldn’t really feel pressured to make use of a menstrual cup if it doesn’t work for them.
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