Hymen

Definition

The hymen is a thin layer of connective tissue. It encloses or covers the opening of the vagina. The hymen can have many different forms.

It is a remnant of the embryonic development of girls. It usually has an opening through which the menstrual blood can flow. During the first sexual intercourse (defloration), but also in everyday life, it can tear further, which may be associated with pain or blood discharge.

Anatomy of the hymen

The hymen is a fold of connective tissue and is quite elastic. The hymen, is considered to be part of the outer female genital (vulva) and is sometimes called the border between the outer and inner genital. It can cover the entrance to the vagina, the so-called introitus vaginae.

However, it usually surrounds it more like a borderline seam. It lies about 1-2 cm behind the entrance to the vagina. Usually there are one or more openings in the hymen.

There are many forms of hymen, e.g. the different variants of hymen are all normal. A completely closed hymen (hymen impferforatus, hymen atresia) is problematic. This prevents the menstrual blood from flowing off at the beginning of the menstrual period and accumulates in the vagina and possibly the uterus.

In this case a small surgical procedure is indicated to create an opening in the hymen. The hymen is formed from a remnant of the fusion of two embryonic structures, the urogenital sinus and the Müller duct (Ductus paramesonephricus). It contains little or no nerves.

• Annular (Hymen annularis),
• Crescent-shaped (Hymen semilunaris) or
• Sickle-shaped (Hymen falciformis).
• Also hymen with many small openings (Hymen cribiformis) or
• With a connective tissue strand in the middle and two openings at the sides (hymen septus) are described.

What function does the hymen have?

The hymen has no or only a negligible function. There is a presumption that the hymen protects the vagina (vagina) and the uterus against external influences such as pathogens. However, this hypothesis cannot be scientifically proven.

The meaning of the hymen is often rather cultural. An intact hymen that tears during the first sexual intercourse (defloration) and causes bleeding is considered in some cultures as proof of a woman’s virginity. This is especially important if a woman’s virginity before marriage is given a high cultural value.

However, bleeding during the first sexual intercourse is not an indication for this question. In most women the hymen has openings anyway, which may only be widened during the first intercourse. This does not necessarily lead to bleeding. The bleeding could also be caused by injury to other genital areas, such as the mucosa of the vagina. In rare cases, women who have already had sex may also bleed due to injuries to the hymen.