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Hymen
The hymen is a thin piece of mucosal tissue that surrounds or partially covers the vaginal opening. A small percentage of females are born with hymens that are imperforate and completely obstruct the vaginal canal. It forms part of the vulva and is similar in structure to the vagina. The word is from the Greek ''ὑμήν'' meaning a thin skin or membrane. In children, a common appearance of the hymen is crescent-shaped, although many shapes are possible. Each shape in the natural range has a Latinate name. During puberty, estrogen causes the hymen to change in appearance and become very elastic. Normal variations of the post-pubertal hymen range from thin and stretchy to thick and somewhat rigid. Very rarely, it may be completely absent. The hymen can rip or tear during first penetrative intercourse, which usually results in pain and, sometimes, mild temporary bleeding or spotting. Minor injuries to the hymen may heal on their own, and not require surgical intervention. His ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hymenorrhaphy
Hymenorrhaphy or "hymen reconstruction surgery" is the surgical alteration of the hymen, with the goal of producing bleeding on intercourse and a tight vaginal introitus, falsely believed to indicate virginity. The term comes from the Greek words ''hymen'' meaning "membrane", and ''raphḗ'' meaning " suture". It is also known as ''hymenoplasty'', although strictly this term would also include hymenotomy. The normal aim is to cause bleeding during post-nuptial intercourse, which in some cultures is wrongly considered proof of virginity. Roughly half of women having vaginal intercourse for the first time do not bleed; a small study found that of 19 women who underwent hymenorrhaphy and attended follow-up, 17 did not have bleeding at the next intercourse. It is also based on the false belief that there are "intact" and "broken" hymens, distinct in appearance or feel. It is not possible to determine whether someone is a virgin by the appearance of their hymen or the tightness of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imperforate Hymen
An imperforate hymen is a congenital disorder where a hymen without an opening completely obstructs the vagina. It is caused by a failure of the hymen to perforate during fetal development. It is most often diagnosed in adolescent girls when menstrual blood accumulates in the vagina and sometimes also in the uterus. It is treated by surgical incision of the hymen. Signs and symptoms Affected newborns may present with acute urinary retention. In adolescent females, the most common symptoms of an imperforate hymen are cyclic pelvic pain and amenorrhea; other symptoms associated with hematocolpos include urinary retention, constipation, low back pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Other vaginal anomalies can have similar symptoms to an imperforate hymen. Vaginal atresia and a transverse vaginal septum require differentiation. A strong urge to defecate has been observed in a few women. Complications If untreated or unrecognized before puberty, an imperforate hymen can lead to peritonitis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Virginity
Virginity is a social construct that denotes the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. As it is not an objective term with an operational definition, social definitions of what constitutes virginity, or the lack thereof, vary. Heterosexuals may or may not consider loss of virginity to occur only through penile–vaginal penetration, while people of other sexual orientations often include oral sex, anal sex, or manual sex in their definitions of virginity loss. The term "virgin" encompasses a range of definitions, as found in traditional, modern, and ethical concepts. Religious rituals for regaining virginity exist in many cultures. Some men and women who practice celibacy after losing their virginity consider themselves born-again virgins. There are cultural and religious traditions that place special value and significance on this state, predominantly towards unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honour, and worth. Like c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Virginity Test
A virginity test is the pseudoscientific practice and process of determining whether a woman or girl is a virgin; i.e., to determine that she has never engaged in, or been subjected to, vaginal intercourse. The test typically involves a check for the presence of an intact hymen, typically on the flawed assumption that it can only be, and will always be torn as a result of vaginal intercourse. Virginity testing is most common in Asia and the Middle East, as well as Northern and Southern Africa and in Europe. Virginity testing is widely considered controversial because of its implications for the tested women and girls as it is viewed as unethical, and because such tests are widely considered to be unscientific. In cases of suspected rape, child sexual abuse, or other forms of sexual assault, a detailed examination of the hymen may be performed, but the condition of the hymen alone is often inconclusive. In October 2018, the UN Human Rights Council, UN Women and the World Health Or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
