Does It Hurt When The Hymen Breaks? What To Expect

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Medical News TodaySubscribeDoes it hurt when the hymen breaks?

Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M.D. — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on September 24, 2023

What is the hymen?
How the hymen breaks
During sex
How to prepare
What to do if it hurts
When to see a doctor
Summary

The hymen is a thin piece of tissue that a person might have at the opening of their vagina. For some people, it may hurt when their hymen stretches or breaks, while others do not feel it happen.

Many believe that the hymen breaks when a person has penetrative sex for the first time — this is not necessarily true. Some females do not have hymens. If a person has one, it may wear down gradually during other activities.

In this article, we describe the hymen, what can happen to it during sexual intercourse for the first time, and what to do if sex becomes painful.

What is the hymen?

A person wearing white lace underwear. — Image credit: Elena Garcia/EyeEm/Getty Images

The hymen is a thin piece of tissue located at the vaginal opening. The shape can vary. Also, not everyone with a vagina has one. The hymen can break, tear, or stretch for a number of reasons, including sexual activity. But before a person has their first sexual experience, the hymen may already have torn, stretched, or worn down to some extent.

Here are some types of hymen:

Circumferential

This type of hymen sits around the edges of the vaginal opening, with space in the middle for menstrual blood to flow. It is one of the more common types of hymen.

Half-moon

The half-moon or crescentic hymen is another common type. It forms a crescent shape, covering part of the vaginal opening. These vary in size.

Septate

A septate hymen is a thin piece of tissue that runs across the middle of the vaginal opening, creating what looks like two openings. A person with this type of hymen has regular menstrual blood flow, but they may be unable to use a tampon or menstrual cup.

Imperforate

An imperforate hymen completely covers the opening of the vagina. This is rare, occurring in 1 in 2,000 people. People with this type of hymen do not have standard periods.

A doctor may recommend minor surgery to remove the hymen, and the medical name for this procedure is a hymenectomy.

Microperforate

A microperforate hymen covers most of the vaginal opening except for a very small hole, through which menstrual blood can flow.A person with a microperforate hymen may not be able to use tampons or menstrual cups.

Cribiform

This type of hymen covers the vaginal opening but has several small holes. Menstrual blood can flow out of the vagina, but a person cannot use a tampon or cup.

How can the hymen break or tear?

Some people mistakenly think that a broken or absent hymen can only result from penetrative sex. This is not correct. The hymen can break, tear, or stretch during many activities. Some examples include:

horseback riding
gymnastics
cycling
using tampons or menstrual cups
a gynecologist conducting a pelvic exam

Also, some people believe that the state of a person’s hymen indicates whether they are a virgin. Neither the size of the hymen or the vagina reliably shows whether someone has had penetrative sex.

It is important to remember that virginity is a social construct, not a medical term. It tends to refer to penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex between males and females, and it leaves out other forms of sex, and so, other sexualities.

Myths about virginity can cause damage. In the past and the present, people have used virginity as a measure of how morally pure or valuable females are. In some communities, failure to prove virginity can have serious consequences.

What happens to the hymen during sex?

What happens to the vagina the first time someone has sex depends on several factors, such as:

whether they have a hymen
the shape of their hymen
whether it has already stretched or torn
the type of sexual activity

If a person has a hymen, it may stretch or tear the first time they have penetrative sex. But it may not, especially if it has already worn down due to other activities.

If the hymen does break or stretch, this can hurt, and it may cause minor bleeding. But many people have a pleasurable first experience with this type of sex. It all depends on the person and their body.

It is also important to recognize the other factors that can cause pain during sex, including:

low levels of lubrication
nervousness, which can cause the muscles around the vagina to tense up
allergic reactions to condoms or lubricant, which can cause burning or stinging
urinary tract infections
other lower genital infections, such as yeast infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — some of which can transmit through oral sex

Feeling comfortable and prepared for the first time can help prevent some potential causes of pain.

How to prepare for your first time

Below are some ways that people can get ready for their first sexual experience. These strategies do not guarantee a painless experience, but they can help people feel more comfortable, relaxed, and prepared.

Try masturbation

Masturbating can help a person become familiar with their body and what they like and dislike. This can help them communicate with their partner during sex.

Discuss contraception

If a person planning to have PIV sex wants to avoid pregnancy, they should talk to their partner about contraception and do some research.

If someone’s partner has had sex before, it is best to use a barrier method as a precaution. This might involve using a male or female condom, both of which also prevent the transmission of STIs.

Voice any concerns

Anyone who feels nervous should discuss it with their partner. The partner may be able to provide reassurance or may feel nervous too. Being open and honest can help put people at ease and bring them closer together.

Get enthusiastic consent

Sex should be a fun, enjoyable experience for everyone involved. A person should be sure that they want to have sex before they begin and get enthusiastic consent from their partner.

Foreplay and lubrication

Foreplay can help stimulate the vagina to secrete a liquid that provides lubrication. Some refer to this as “getting wet.” A person can also use store-bought lubricants.

Both natural and synthetic lubricants reduce the friction of the penis entering the vagina. They also make it easier for the penis to slide in and out.

For people who use condoms, it is important to choose water-based lubricants because oil-based lubricants can break condoms. An older study, from 1989, suggests that exposure to mineral oils can cause a latex condom to break in as little as 1 minute.

Take it slow

Getting into sex gradually and slowly can help the vaginal muscles relax, and help the person get accustomed to the sensation of penetration.

What to do for pain after sex

If the hymen breaking or stretching causes pain, a person can try:

wrapping an ice pack in a clean cloth and placing it near the vaginal opening
sitting in a cool bath
taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
avoiding having penetrative sex until the pain has faded

If the pain persists, it may indicate a health issue that requires treatment.

When to see a doctor

If a person has difficulty using tampons or menstrual cups, they should talk to a doctor. This may indicate that the person has a small vaginal opening due to a less common type of hymen. The doctor may recommend a hymenectomy to make the opening bigger.

Also, anyone who has severe or persistent pain or bleeding during or after sex should speak to a doctor.

In addition, it is important to discuss any symptoms that may indicate an STI with a doctor. These include:

itchy genitals
genital sores or a rash
swelling
unusual vaginal discharge
painful urination

Learn more about STIs here.

Summary

The hymen is a thin piece of tissue that partially covers the vaginal opening. There are several types of hymen, and not everyone with a vagina has one.

The hymen can stretch or tear during a range of activities, such as doing gymnastics or using tampons. An absent, stretched, or torn hymen does not show that a person has had penetrative sex.

Some people with hymens have pain during their first penetrative sexual experience. Others do not. Taking it slow, engaging in foreplay, using lubrication, and having open communication can help people relax and enjoy their first time.

Sexual Health / STDs
Women's Health / Gynecology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Abraham, C. (2019). Imperforate hymen causing hematocolpos and urinary retention [Abstract]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0736467919301416
Mishori, R., et al. (2019). The little tissue that couldn't — dispelling myths about the hymen's role in determining sexual history and assault. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6547601/
Olson, R., et al. (2017). Virginity testing: A systematic review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5437416/
Voeller, B., et al. (1989). Mineral oil lubricants cause rapid deterioration of latex condoms [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2535978/

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Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M.D. — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on September 24, 2023

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