Health Talk: Do menstrual cups affect hymen or virginity?

As more women look at menstrual cups for their periods, questions have come up about whether using them can change the hymen or a woman's virginity.

Some people worry that putting in a menstrual cup could "break" the hymen, make a woman lose her virginity, or leave the vagina feeling loose.

Elizabeth Adewale, a Certified Holistic Sex Educator and Public Health Professional, spoke with PT Health Watch. She said many of these worries come from misunderstandings about the hymen and what virginity means medically.

Changes to the Hymen

Ms Adewale explained that inserting a menstrual cup can stretch the hymen and might cause a small tear. But she said, "this does not mean that a woman has lost her virginity."

She added that the hymen is a thin, stretchy tissue around the vaginal opening. It can look different in each woman, with changes in shape, thickness, and elasticity.

"If it were a seal, menstrual blood and normal vaginal discharge wouldn’t be able to come out," she noted.

Ms Adewale also said the hymen can change for reasons that have nothing to do with sex. Activities like cycling, gymnastics, and other exercises can affect it. She pointed out that some women may have very little hymenal tissue, while others may have more.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) also says that the hymen is a thin membrane that partially covers the vagina. It can stretch or tear from using tampons, sports, or medical procedures. They also state that having or not having a hymen does not mean someone is a virgin.

Virginity and the Hymen

Ms Adewale said the idea that every woman is born with a hymen that stays intact until her first time having sex is wrong.

"The hymen is not a virginity marker," she explained.

She clarified that the hymen does not just disappear after sex. It can still be there, but it may look different.

According to her, checking a woman's hymen cannot tell if she has had sex. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no scientific or clinical examination to show whether a woman or girl has had vaginal sex. They also state that the hymen's look cannot prove if someone has had sex or is active.

Concerns About Vaginal Elasticity

Another worry is that using a menstrual cup could stretch the vagina and make it feel loose.

Ms Adewale said there is no medical proof for this idea.

"The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal," she said. It can relax, expand, and contract based on different situations.

She explained that using a menstrual cup does not stretch the vagina permanently. "Your vagina isn’t going to suddenly become a wide-open hole because you’ve used a menstrual cup," she said.

However, she pointed out that some women might find inserting a cup painful or hard.

She mentioned that women with vaginismus can feel tightness in their vaginal or pelvic floor muscles, making it hard to insert a menstrual cup, tampon, or even a finger.

"It’s not because their vagina is too small," she added.

According to ACOG, vaginismus is an involuntary tightening at the vaginal opening that can make penetration painful or hard.

Tips for Using Menstrual Cups

For women who want to try a menstrual cup, Ms Adewale said first-time users should take their time.

She suggested relaxing before insertion, washing hands and the cup, finding a comfortable position, and following the instructions on how to fold and insert it.

A woman can squat, sit on the toilet, or stand with one leg on a stool. She added that taking slow, deep breaths can help.

"Once you’ve successfully inserted it, allow it to open properly and create a seal, but don’t force it. If you feel significant pain, stop, don’t force it," she advised.

Ms Adewale said first-time users may need time to feel comfortable and figure out what works for them. She emphasized that choosing menstrual products is personal, and women should not feel pressured to use a menstrual cup if it doesn't suit them.