Thread by @aproko_doctor

Someone preached that women are special gifts that's why they come sealed and the seal must be broken.

I.e: bleeding must occur during the first intercourse.

This is wrong. Not everyone will bleed and that's okay, not a taboo. Bleeding is not proof of virginity

Let me explain

The hymen which has been touted as a proof of virginity is a thin piece of tissue that partially covers the entrance to the vagina

There're different types of hymen. Look at the picture below for clarification

It does not completely cover the entrance as many people think.

In some people when it does it can cause problems because there's no place for the menstrual blood to escape from.

This is called an imperforate hymen and would need to be opened to allow the blood flow out

Because it's so thin, it can break really easily from vigorous activities, especially in active women or girls or women that participate in sports,riding bicycles etc

Worse,she may not even be aware that it has broken because unlike what we believe, it does not always cause pain

Even things like using a tampon can break it.

Also, the hymen wears down over time, becomes thinner.

But society has given the hymen, the sole responsibility of proving who a virgin is and who isn't. Society also believes that the first encounter must be painful. Wrong

There are reasons why it might by painful and its not the hymen

1. She's anxious or scared. Common reason,this makes the muscles around the vagina tight and can make penetration difficult.

2. She's not lubricated enough, same as 1.

The obsession with the hymen as a proof of virginity and bleeding has pushed some into dangerous acts to protect their virginity.

Also take note that there are different types of sex and penetration is just one of the types

So who's a virgin?