Hymen pain
The hymen is usually supplied by only a few nerves. Injuries to the hymen should therefore normally only lead to short, not too severe pain. This pain can occur, for example, when a girl or woman has sexual intercourse for the first time.
However, this is not always the case; only in about half of all women does the hymen tear at all on the “first time”. Other reasons for hymen pain could be that the hymen is very stable and has only a very small opening. This means it does not stretch or tear.
Then the insertion of tampons, for example, or sex can lead to persistent pain. In this case a gynecologist can make a small incision under local anesthesia to expand the hymen or even remove it completely (hymenectomy). In addition, in case of pain in the genital area, possible infections with pathogens such as fungi or bacteria should always be considered.
Especially fungi such as Candida albicans can also trigger an infection before the first sex, as they occur naturally on the skin of humans. If you experience burning, pain or discharge, you should therefore consult a gynecologist. In addition, worries, fears and insecurity, which are more common, especially with regard to sexuality, can also lead to pain. Nevertheless, if the pain is severe and persistent, an organic (somatic) cause should always be clarified.
Can you see the hymen?
The hymen is usually visible. It belongs to the outer female sexual organs (vulva) and is located about 1-2 cm behind the entrance to the vagina. This is normally displaced by the labia majores and labia minores.
In order to view the hymen, one must therefore spread both labia to the sides. Then you look directly at the vaginal entrance, behind which the hymen is located. It is helpful to use a mirror and a lamp for sufficient lighting.
A hand mirror can be held with one hand between the spread legs, the other hand holds the labia to the sides. Alternatively, one can squat over a mirror lying on the floor and thus represent the vaginal entrance in the mirror. The hymen can be recognized as cloudy skin, sometimes also as a connective tissue skin fold.
Its color resembles that of the surrounding structures. It can often be difficult to recognize the hymen in the mirror. The hymen can have very different shapes and sometimes appears as a small seam around the entrance to the vagina, or it is not visible at all.
This does not mean that it is torn. Rather, it is a normal variant, which is also present in many women and girls even before the first sexual intercourse (defloration). The hymen consists of a connective tissue-like skin or skin fold.
It is often similar in color to the surrounding skin of the woman’s external genital area (vulva) or the vagina behind it (vagina). In newborns it is usually light pink, but darkens somewhat over time. Nevertheless, it usually retains its rosy color. However, it should be noted that the color of the hymen, as well as its shape, is highly variable and not an “ideal” color.
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