Hymen

The HYMEN or the virginal membrane is a thin fold situated at the entrance of the vagina and is supposed to guard the abode of Venus. It does not completely cover the vaginal entrance, to permit the menstrual discharge to flow out. The hymen, as I have pointed out in the Introduction, has been considered the hall mark of chastity and purity in a female. All races and cultures since primitive times have erroneously exaggerated its importance.

The hymen's defloration is a must for the male ego. It is supposed not only to flatter the penetrating power of his erect penis but also to prove his manliness. it is therefore eagerly sought after on the wedding night.

The hymen varies in size, shape and thickness from individual to individual. It may be, crescent shaped, ring shaped, or scalloped at the edges. During the first act of intercourse, the hymen is torn or perforated, causing a loss of blood, which may be slight or considerable. The male penetration may cause pain depending on the thickness of the hymenal membrane, the mental make up of the individual, and the skill with which he does it.

Occasionally, a woman's hymen is exceptionally tough and fleshy and the husband in spite of repeated efforts fails to penetrate her. The wife suffers a lot of pain during these attempts at forcible entry. The erection in the husband dies down after a time, and he starts wondering whether there is something wrong with his potency.

Countless women in our country have suffered humiliation and agony on their wedding night when their husbands have doubted their purity and accused them of having had pre marital sex. Let me recount Jane's pathetic story in her own words. 'Doctor, my trouble started on my honeymoon night. I had carefully preserved my virginity for the man of my dreams John. I was the happiest woman on earth and suffered agonizing pain as John, whom nature has generously endowed, forcibly entered me. It was a shocking experience in itself, but more shocks were in store for me. He left me high and dry and to top it all accused me of not being a virgin.'

The mascara from her eyes rolled on to her cheeks as she sobbed and continued, 'something in me grew dead instantaneously. I became frigid. Though my husband apologized profusely afterwards, I have never enjoyed sex with him and have never had an orgasm in my life. I have two lovely children whom I adore. But do you think my headaches are due to this accumulated tension of not being orgasmic?'

I would sincerely advise my male readers not to overrate this bit of tissue, and not to jump to wrong and unjust conclusions about a woman's chastity. Its presence does not mean that your partner is a virgin, as there are innumerable women who have had countless sexual encounters and their hymen is not ruptured as it is so elastic it is merely pushed away or dilates as the penis goes past it. On the other hand, its absence does not mean that the woman has had sex. It can rupture in innumerable ways during an accident or in athletic events, or during masturbation, and in girls using tampons the hymen can gradually rupture.