---
title: Addressing the Myth of the Hymen
date: 2026-05-22T00:00:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/myth-of-the-hymen"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Addressing the Myth of the Hymen

For too long, the presence of a hymen has been perceived as proof of virginity, that is, evidence that one hasn’t had penetrative sexual intercourse. This perception continues even though there is no scientific basis for it. Virginity tests persist around the world, despite being condemned as a human rights violation by the World Health Organization in 2018.

In this article, Sophia Smith Galer explores global beliefs and practices around the hymen and the real scientific research on the vaginal corona. Galer wrote the recent book “Losing It: Dispelling the Sex Myths That Rule Our Lives."

The hymen is small tissue near the vaginal opening. It can vary from person to person. In most cases, it doesn’t cover the vaginal opening fully. Additionally, it can tear with exercise or other non-sexual forms of penetration. The reality is that most people don’t bleed the first time they have sex. When they bleed, it’s not usually from the hymen tearing. Nevertheless, the myth of the hymen can contribute to fear and anxiety around sex.

Galer found that some medical professionals not only support the myth of the hymen but profit from it. Doctors offer hymen repair surgeries or hymenoplasties that claim to repair the hymen to a “virgin” state.

Sex education and sex positivity are changing perceptions of the hymen, however. In 2009, for example, the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education shifted to using the term “vaginal corona” and developed pamphlets to explain why.

> Despite this having no scientific basis – and despite virginity itself being a social construct with no biological reality – millions around the world continue to believe that a woman's sexual history is somehow writ into her anatomy, and that all cisgender women bleed the first time that they have sex. Neither, of course, are true – yet such beliefs can be found in languages, religions and communities across the globe.

[Read the full article ](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220419-how-the-hymen-myth-destroys-lives)

SOURCE: BBC • AUTHOR: Sophia Smith Galer • LAST UPDATED: April 19, 2022

![Art with differently colored vulvas of different sizes and shapes](data:image/png;base64,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) Anatoliy/Adobe Stock

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ sexual anatomies & sexual health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/sexual-anatomies-sexual-health)
- [ getting to know our sexual anatomy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/getting-to-know-our-sexual-anatomy)
- [vaginal corona (hymen)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/vaginal-corona-hymen)
- [virginity](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/virginity)
- [shame](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/shame)
- [culture](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/culture)

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Renaming the Hymen: The Vaginal Corona

The hymen is also called the vaginal corona, a term used in an attempt to dispel many of the myths surrounding hymens.

![Types of vaginal coronas](data:image/png;base64,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)

The hymen is also called the vaginal corona, a term used in an attempt to dispel many of the myths surrounding hymens.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/renaming-the-hymen-the-vaginal-corona)

[ResourcesRead

## My Corona: The Hymen & the Myths That Surround It

This Scarleteen article provides an overview of the vaginal corona (also known as the hymen) and answers questions about its relationship to virginity.

![A white background with pink images of different vaginal coronas](data:image/png;base64,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)

This Scarleteen article provides an overview of the vaginal corona (also known as the hymen) and answers questions about its relationship to virginity.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/my-corona-the-hymen-the-myths-that-surround-it)

[ResourcesWatch

## Busting Vaginal Myths

Jen Gunter on how female anatomy has been weaponized and how to end myths about our health and sexuality

![Sharon mccutcheon Ag OZ88 Buy MI unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Jen Gunter on how female anatomy has been weaponized and how to end myths about our health and sexuality](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/busting-vaginal-myths)

[ResourcesRead

## What Exactly is a Hymen?

What is the hymen and why is it important to so many of us?

![Nine drawings of different types of hymens on top of a pink background.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAADkElEQVRIiXWWUZarSAxDJRX739L8zp46+M6HXQXpN4/DISQBy7JlVbn++VdQcFfdVZ/78/O5f+7P53P/3J/7vu+6ixJIshU7ceJlO0lsS7IsJETRV5CA6OvgL/d/O/j1CpyrOqf8LSr/8/X8xtcLE/Qdfb4Bl0Szm6uEkSRLQv7Fg/5DAnnuXngdmMED6cJf6el5B7zxeCHNzbw2gPPQBK5zlS5JuBMCC/Niw4MESNPPX/l0yjppT/QCGAbgbkkXB8RG4rv6O/vzwRA9damq1uSUaMtLstjnhNgYT2P3X5Z8ijY0oSiqajCqavdgetsYXZM+JTPVfnXbJ4N3lU78qruqakj8ZqA3iY5uZIRmnvwduBv1VGcQemyBC0u2ihNdXyd68sV2/9Ik/DT8Vf/7boCqquKSjVDcuahMpPoTafflia5m1p3WFueh0BiXIskU82qksixFqo4nZ/fYsmzbHtyRuP6s0j0AxKIZdDesSLHLirv01A69GcylheatYL5R7rvgUrqtNR0oO1as2Ni7UqZxDwPvsGYwetxmhIuWK5djUAcycUrEsR+A6Y+F7aaXM9SlKdiR+1Muugcx7dsIa9m05ds4pMRm4GbQS4BbHsEMIW8J8zK9ywnCNT5kMtETE0P2kESKFLl5TIlKnUqXb4/JzAvSpbS2y8oDsFaoptUzZh6ADIBbnkguPGV9GtR6uLyWYCsPk6yEkMViNFh+AKxoetCLSlCFBJ/ltG8Kh8vJeI8wZK2iktRKiFjt0u1MkZbcg7HnrEABh2Q51RhJnLJyOdH0oF2HZNUioMWM0pvBbvXIRUYulNBxkzRS1kJuAMW1u79zT0Ta0y0fBl2i6SAqVdTRV1LJ8ipXpVaYJrdXaLxurQBB66zjlm0I8m8AZCNnKeBaE7oqRRDeAMKW0jETEhFl1bFRiGjxjIQEpVCgYmsj1TyyiMR9AAobRy4yAEvBo5RqBum912ZAKBwc5JCVV/ozQJcSIaWkGJJAkkWRpKCt9CmRxkr7RxVkpJFUdzirdbskX3JkRIQcDK7YlaRIes2vrj4DoFnderMQjUzd4mmMkCXZ136+FIvYFYfEVRlAzQxO9d/rJuOIjlO9WX3ESpdoHo5M24xdbr9xW6XHbmZV/VrzbW3jjRN7O3HSz2+ALfc2rL1oWW6vbPTHxt4A5/l95OvL3ugc3rMd35vy7fWvVez98Fnnzi5gvz7Hf0eDbT9Vr2tFAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

What is the hymen and why is it important to so many of us?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/what-exactly-is-a-hymen)

[ResourcesRead

## Impurity Culture: Surviving Virginity

Purity culture spreads a lot of falsehoods about virginity. What is true and what isn't?

![A teacup and saucer on a table](data:image/png;base64,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)

Purity culture spreads a lot of falsehoods about virginity. What is true and what isn't?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/impurity-culture-surviving-virginity)

[ResourcesRead

## Orgasm Myths and Facts

All the myths about orgasm answered in this handy guide.

![Red and orange fireworks explode against a black background.](data:image/png;base64,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)

All the myths about orgasm answered in this handy guide.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/orgasm-myths-and-facts)

[ResourcesWatch

## Genital Variation: The Myth of Binary

An accessible, 50-minute educational video on genital variation, inclusive of trans and intersex

![a3d83e5071eaa549ec2a3819d22dd473](data:image/png;base64,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)

An accessible, 50-minute educational video on genital variation, inclusive of trans and intersex](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/genital-variation-the-myth-of-binary)

[ResourcesRead

## A Menstrual Expert's Surprising Tips On How To Talk About Your Period

An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.

![A Menstrual Expert's Surprising Tips On How To Talk About Your Period](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAETklEQVRIiVWWXXbjuBKDP6DopDc+z3cRs8dJt1ss3IeiHCeH0ZFtCSDqB0X9879/IUnYO31xXf33mb/P/fzTf35fv79mPb++/v739fz68/z9fD7389KV2uuRj099ftavX/X56/Hrc318PD4+1uNRa1VZ8kIQBPMfkMh8AgmJ+0dJc5WFhEXmG94e+/m3PDAEKSIigypiRbJky+Uq7eVa7k5D0C6lhLFVwvcSHGpYy4KkNd8NqIzm2XJea1WvymOHUCi2nSWWXNiUXxwxh2aNBEgQKFGXut1l3YtVrOJRdMHC8o7jtrvMkpZcKmPzLYVIWo8SmfgI1KW0utRlz3oUXdpFlrKl2KpOxa1qm/XN8UYQC5H1YQEJSEFBHSfey9XeXdew9TLbtI3L1VlhU+1KmbIWKlyyo5OJSFof9U7g4I66Xe29yl3ucpazzbbaxsur+2o1brvtyZbqJE/+LpT1sURuAqk1HO54xzu1X+i0HZfq8u5eYeMeEfoOjQpZnJAzCpSEJjtND3q/VY+zTZvYKavKu/sKHe3ZkI2cV5EaSdMU62N5GjlS5MiNm9rpoja1U1eW1Vbb2SVv7+5KdjQPt2rePcWiU6TAerwp6CbzAu24KaeUJdpqKTbXlrevbid1ouSmgjOxx5FhPEDrsUxIctoYN9kppzetLKVNiaUjEpXU7U5HZkQ4VOMwHMqtYq0ygSSmN6GaCDeltNJKwYJIYYqkPQQ7CHU0CprKWQbnmwDSSTAMuuKdk1dSpElDMjtr0b0TgqJGPfEcjgz6MYtVo+BkYQyplJCmD3TSRYcUiUZYJyEcT4uFQ+lGD56fVtnMQOjbBRPsuFKdOG27Uu2kiU8qOhPYadhJw6ExeVPgupMMDU5ScZx27LZVk4xS5eX/kjUhQo4beTYe85YA0JKLZPzO0IkS2fccOL2PTRsXgUyyxn6Vu7vO9s/eJ0Qs+VQR3XFI1GEQbTQeP+ieYkt37CQ55WiQ8HC8fRSwkM84GM9TcGPx7ViOdPd5IlpqiE5VTXPBGVLc83Qm5cooIBE4dCK/0Kc5G7fcTF/QSkOjPg5/h3Gm4LkeM1rIs/lTQOpIjeY6QPe9Ntp4ky11GOv9Rr+vkj2lAKtlIGTKMzrtPtrfab7RyUYtNeYGtWtqQbIlywKhFYwIHbmVnnCf9w/6jnbY6HVzZeIzxmS5JGdmvyxrDg6SRkESB6I07p/oszY3NFxDhnOPGKtk24Ut+zSKZLFO/6r7NZPfoHe0ow33xnNFF2zcGVu2MbJVR4Et6+ZhRSYJDnnbO406vGh6OKKdXNE+JfSqy+ozcIxrimhUrEaI44woEOaeHyHKiOA62dYo8PTXPQ3jQpbECRRrzqUDeopybnLIOrxJoUcH6nOW1bHPe2TyQrckrcA4ymvjP27Gkl80oSdc0AhOnU7+jgUNjYfsKDjoc6DOfTDOj6VvlWfSnNF4tsg5CZ2D+DSa+D+ywGqmeUH5fwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)

An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-menstrual-experts-surprising-tips-on-how-to-talk-about-your-period)