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Biologically, for nothing. It may even be that this film, present at the entrance to the vaginal canal, helps to prevent genital infections in children, but nothing scientifically proven. The hymen appears at the beginning of the development of the female embryo, formed from the remains of the vaginal cover – when the genital organ still has no external opening. Despite being used to indicate virginity, it is not always broken with sexual intercourse. Tampon, cycling, masturbation and other reasons can also pierce it. Also, only a few women experience bleeding when the hymen breaks, as this depends on the amount of blood vessels irrigating the membrane, which varies from person to person.
The types of hymen and their characteristics
CANCEL – It’s the most common. It has a thin membrane, with only one hole in the middle, usually ruptured in the first sexual intercourse. May or may not cause bleeding
COMPLACENT – Thick and very elastic film, with a hole in the center. It is difficult to break off in sexual relations and only ceases to exist when the woman has children through normal delivery.
CRIBRIFORM – Few women have this type of hymen. Instead of just one hole in the center, it has several holes through which menstrual flow passes.
IMPERFORATED – Very rare. There are no orifices and girls who have this type of hymen need surgery to open a passage for menstrual flow and sexual intercourse. Imperforate hymen surgery is done right after menarche – first menstruation
CONSULTANCY Aarão Mendes Pinto Neto, from the toco-gynecology department at Unicamp