What is the purpose of the hymen?

Dear Reader, 

It’s great that you and your friends are curious about learning more about the body! Unfortunately, there aren’t clear-cut answers for you—the hymen is an anatomical mystery. As for what’s currently known, the hymen has no known biological purpose, though there are many myths that surround it. So, before getting carried away with the hymn of the hymen, read on to learn more about its presentation and function. 

What is a hymen?  

There’s so much mystique surrounding the hymen, though it's really just a small piece of tissue located around the opening of the vagina. No two hymens are the same—everyone’s hymen may have a different size, shape, and thickness. This is because the hymen tissue is a mishmash of scrap tissues left over from the formation of the vagina during development as a fetus.  

What shape is the hymen? 

Hymens can be categorized into some common shape formations: 

• Annular hymen: surrounds the outer edge of the entire vaginal opening. 
• Crescentic hymen: is shaped like a crescent moon. 
• Cribriform hymen: has many small holes. 
• Imperforate hymen: covers the entirety of the vaginal opening. 
• Microperforate hymen: has one small hole, but the vaginal opening is otherwise completely covered. 
• Septate hymen: has two pieces of tissue that give the appearance of a dual hymen. 

The hymen’s shape can change over time. It's common for newborns to have an annular hymen that develops into a crescentic hymen with age.  

Hymens shapeshift because they're physically flexible and can tear. They can also tear over time after being worn down during activities such as inserting a tampon, getting a pelvic exam, masturbating, and vigorous exercise. You may or may not notice if your hymen tears. Even though it’s possible to experience some pain, tearing is said to be minimally painful. Though some experience bleeding, the tear itself is difficult to see and can’t be detected by touch.  

What’s the purpose of the hymen? 

Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer to your question about the physiological purpose of the hymen—it has no known bodily function. While this might seem strange, not all body parts have a “purpose”. For example, the appendix is another vestigial structure, which means that people may have inherited the organ from their ancestors, but it serves no known purpose today.  

That said, sometimes, a damaged hymen is equated to having sexual activity, including nonconsensual instances. Some cultures consider an "intact" hymen "proof" of virginity. Some people with a vagina may even get a hymenoplasty, a form of plastic surgery that reconstructs a hymen, to demonstrate their virginity. Since hymens come in so many shapes and forms, the hymen isn’t a reliable indicator of sexual activity. Virginity is merely a societal construct without any medical basis and the status of your hymen isn’t a reflection of your purity.  

Have fun regaling your friends about the hymen,