The hymen is a crescent-shaped thin membrane that covers part of the vaginal opening see diagram below. This occurs especially if the opening in the hymen is small or there is pain with insertion. Some women may have a few spots of blood the first time they have sex, others do not. There is no sure way of knowing if someone has ever had sexual intercourse. In the old days, people believed that a woman was a virgin only if she bled the first time she had vaginal intercourse with a male partner.
The hormones that surge through your body when you have sex can sometimes cause strong emotions afterwards. Some people believe in the concept of virginity. However, the traditional definition of virginity, which is the first time a person has penetrative penis-vagina intercourse, leaves out a lot of other types of sex, including oral sex and anal sex. Today, many people think the concept of virginity is antiquated and places unnecessary pressure on people to either have or not have sex. The truth is, for some people, having sex for the first time is a very important milestone in their lives, and this is totally normal. You may find it helpful to reflect on how you feel about it before you have sex, so you can share the information with your partner.
Science Photo Library's website uses cookies. By continuing, you agree to accept cookies in accordance with our Cookie policy. Virgin and non-virgin vulva anatomy. In a virgin, the hymen 12 is intact, whereas it is broken in the non-virgin. The vulva consist of the labia majora, mons pubis, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of vestibule, vulval vestibule, greater and lesser vestibular glands, external urethral orifice and the opening of the vagina introitus.
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