TAMPONS: Not for virgins?

I am a virgin; can I use tampons?

Will tampons hurt if I’m not sexually active?

I’ve heard tampons are not for virgins, is it true? 

Girls, do these questions often pop up in your mind when you think of switching to tampons? Do tampons intimidate you and does the thought of the ‘painful’ experience scare you? Then this blog is for you.

Since their invention, tampons have been a subject of moral panic and health scares. Sure, there are risk factors like Toxic Shock syndrome but using tampons is reasonably safe and easy. 

Most girls avoid using tampons because they’re scared of the pain. But there’s nothing to worry about. There are many myths and misconceptions about using tampons, like losing your virginity, tampons cause cervical cancer, it can get lost inside your vagina etc. Read on to find out more. 

THE CONCEPT OF VIRGINITY

 

Virginity. It is a social concept that has different definitions and opinions. Often, the idea of virginity is (incorrectly) linked with the idea that your vaginal opening is lined by a thin membrane called Hymen and the act of ‘breaking’ or ‘tearing’ of the Hymen through vaginal intercourse is considered as losing your virginity. 

Some people believe that virginity is something you have until you have your first sexual experience, some believe that it is something you lose only when a penis penetrates a vaginal canal for the first time while some believe you lose your virginity when you engage in any sexual activity for the first time. The idea of virginity moves along a spectrum. In one extreme, it has become synonymous with chastity, purity, and innocence. This is one of the reasons why many women fear losing their virginity by using tampons. 

Having understood what virginity is, let's now understand a bit more about Hymens. 

The Hymen

The Hymen is a thin, stretchy layer of tissue that lines the vaginal opening. It is a remnant tissue from the vagina during embryonic development, and it just makes the vaginal opening a bit smaller. It does not cover the opening because if it did, menstrual blood would not be able to flow out, and an opening will have to be created surgically. Generally, the opening is about the size of a finger or, a small tampon. 

The Hymen naturally wears off by everyday activities like cycling, horseback riding, gymnastics, dancing etc. So, by the time you have your first sexual experience, chances are your Hymen has already worn off. Medically, the Hymen serves no purpose, and some females don’t have one by birth! 

So, can you lose your virginity by breaking your Hymen? Well, no because only by indulging in any form of sexual activity you can lose your ‘virginity’ and everything else is merely tearing of the Hymen. 

Now let’s try to understand if tampons can affect our virginity in any way. 

TAMPONS, VIRGINITY & PAIN

 

Tampons cannot take one’s virginity simply because the person using them is not involved in sexual activity for the first time; instead, she is simply, using a menstrual hygiene product. 

Now, coming to the Hymen, a tampon can cause your Hymen to break or stretch. Although it is incredibly uncommon because –

- Hymen wears down over time, and not every woman has a hymen. Most women have a reduced, delicate, minimal hymen which has already been torn by adolescence due to regular activities like dancing, running, etc. 

- Tampons are compressed for easier insertion and are small before coming in contact with any liquid. Hence, chances of it tearing the Hymen are quite low. 

Now, if you’re using a tampon for the first time, you may find that the vaginal opening is not big enough, especially if you’re using a super-absorbent tampon. In such a case, you may experience some discomfort. So, start with a regular or small-sized tampon to reduce the pain and discomfort. Usually experiencing pain during tampon insertion and removal is because we don’t know how to use a tampon properly or are not lubricated enough. It is not related to your virginity at all. You may also not like the feeling of it in the initial days. But with enough practice, you will be able to use a tampon like a pro! 

According to Dr Priya Selvaraj, a gynaecologist/obstetrician (GG Hospital, Chennai), the Hymen can tear while doing heavy sports or in some cases using tampons. Due to the variable structure of the Hymen – elasticity and the extent to which it covers the vaginal opening, it cannot be ascertained if a woman is a virgin or not. And therefore, intact hymen or bleeding after intercourse for the first time are not signs of virginity at all. 

So, guys, don’t be daunted by tampons. Most of your fears are stemmed from myths, and you just need to educate yourself and give your body the time to adjust. That’s it. And hey, don't forget to check out my blog post on MENSTRUAL CUPS.

 

 

By Nt. Heena Gupta