As more women consider menstrual cups as an option for managing their periods, questions have emerged about whether using them can affect the hymen or a woman’s virginity.
Some people fear that inserting a menstrual cup could “break” the hymen, cause a woman to lose her virginity or permanently make the vagina “loose”.
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Speaking with PT Health Watch, Elizabeth Adewale, a Certified Holistic Sex Educator and Public Health Professional, said many of these concerns stem from misconceptions about the hymen and what it means medically to be a virgin.
Hymen changes
According to Ms Adewale, inserting a menstrual cup can stretch the hymen and, in some cases, may cause a small tear, but “this does not mean that a woman has lost her virginity.”
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She explained that the hymen is a thin, elastic fold of tissue around the vaginal opening that varies in shape, thickness and elasticity from woman to woman.
“If it were a seal, menstrual blood and normal vaginal discharge wouldn’t be able to come out,” she said.
Ms Adewale said the hymen can also change for reasons unrelated to sexual intercourse, including physical activities such as cycling, gymnastics and other exercise. She added that some women may have very little hymenal tissue, while in others it may be difficult to see.
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) also explains that the hymen is a thin membrane that partially covers the entrance to the vagina and can be stretched or torn through tampon use, sports activities or medical procedures. It also says the presence or absence of the hymen does not indicate “virginity”.
Virginity marker
Ms Adewale said the belief that every woman is born with a hymen that remains intact until her first sexual experience is incorrect.
“The hymen is not a virginity marker,” she said.
She explained that the hymen does not simply disappear after sexual intercourse and can still be present afterwards, although its appearance may have changed.
According to the expert, this means that looking at a woman’s hymen cannot establish whether she has had sex.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no scientific or clinical examination that can prove whether a woman or girl has had vaginal intercourse. It also states that the appearance of the hymen cannot prove whether someone has had sexual intercourse or is sexually active.
Vaginal elasticity
Another concern is that inserting a menstrual cup could permanently stretch the vagina and make it “loose”.
Ms Adewale said there is no medical basis for this belief.
“The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal,” she said, noting that it can relax, expand and contract depending on what is happening.
She said inserting or removing a menstrual cup does not permanently stretch the vagina.
“Your vagina isn’t going to suddenly become a wide-open hole because you’ve used a menstrual cup,” she said.
However, Ms Adewale noted that vaginal insertion can be painful or difficult for some women.
She explained that women with vaginismus, for instance, may experience involuntary tightening of the vaginal or pelvic floor muscles, making the insertion of a menstrual cup, tampon, finger or penis painful or difficult.
“It’s not because their vagina is too small,” she said.
According to ACOG, vaginismus is an involuntary tightening of the muscles at the opening of the vagina that can make penetration painful or difficult.
Using menstral cup
For women who choose to try a menstrual cup, Ms Adewale advised first-time users not to rush the process.
READ ALSO: Group calls for reusable pads as menstrual stigma, access gaps persist
She recommended relaxing before insertion, washing the hands and cleaning the cup properly, finding a comfortable position and following the manufacturer’s instructions on how to fold and insert the cup.
A woman can squat, sit on the toilet or stand with one leg raised on a stool, she said, adding that taking slow, deep breaths can also help.
“Once you’ve successfully inserted it, allow it to open properly and create a seal, but don’t force it. If you experience significant pain, stop, don’t have to force it,” she said.
She added that first-time users may need time to become comfortable with the process and understand what works best for them.
Ms Adewale said the choice of menstrual product is personal and women should not feel pressured to use a menstrual cup if it does not work for them.
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