A thin, flexible tissue at the entrance to the vagina. The shape of the hymen can vary from person to person, and some people have no hymen at all. In most cases, the hymen covers only a small part of the vaginal entrance, allowing menstrual flow to pass through and a tampon to be inserted. However, in rare cases, the hymen may completely cover the vaginal entrance, posing a danger as menstrual blood cannot leave the body.
Although thin and flexible, the hymen can stretch or even tear during physical activities such as riding, cycling, gymnastics or sexual intercourse. However, the presence or absence of a hymen, and whether or not there is bleeding at first intercourse, is not proof of virginity.
