---
title: Living Myths About Virginity
date: 2023-12-04T18:00:00-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/media-coverage/living-myths-about-virginity"
section: Media Coverage
---
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[Media Coverage](/media-coverage)# Living Myths About Virginity

The Atlantic • February 7, 2014

> While sites like [Scarleteen](http://www.scarleteen.com/), an independent sex-education website founded in 1998, are devoted to providing accurate, non-judgmental information to young people, Zeldes says she's concerned by the number of Google search results and general information sites that describe the hymen as a tissue that completely covers the vaginal opening, one that tears and bleeds.  
>   
> "There are a tremendous number of women who don't understand how their bodies work and what happens when they are sexually active," says Zeldes, who adds that “hymen” is the most-searched term on the book’s website. "There's lots of information out there, but it's more about reaching young women in formats that they will hear."

  
**Read the full story:** [Living Myths About Virginity](http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/02/living-myths-about-virginity/283628/ "The Atlantic: Living Myths About Virginity") by Nolan Feeney[Read the full article ](http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/02/living-myths-about-virginity/283628/)

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