Category: Sexual Health
Question: Am a lady of 20 and i have never had sexual intercourse before but recently i was sexually excited and i sticked a brush handle in my vagina an masturbated pls is it possible that my hymen is brokenplss i need answers its against my culture to get married without the hymen being present
Answer: Hi Anon
First of all it is important to establish a few things with you about the hymen It is a thin piece of tissue that surrounds the vagina not quite covering it as most people believe It might interest you to know that some people are born without a hymen and that the hymen usually gets thinner as you grow

While like you have pointed out some cultures use the presence of the hymen as a determinant for virginity it is important for you to know that simple activities like riding a bicycle or climbing trees can be responsible for hymenal tearing Basically the presence or absence of a hymen does not imply sexual activity
The hymen may bleed when it tears but that does not always happen 

It is understandable that your fears are grounded in your cultural beliefs however it is important to try to engage parentsfamily members with discussions such as why hymenal tearing is not linked to sexual activity Please try to be tactful with this conversation or otherwise avoid it if your parentsguardians may physically assault you

It is also important to when you get in a relationship have this kind of conversation with your partner Please be open about your sexual activity with them too

As you have mentioned that you have never engaged in sexual activity prior to this kindly ensure to use protection ie condoms to keep yourself from sexually transmitted infections

On a final note your religion or culture may frown at masturbation but your personal inclinations might be otherwise In that case please be careful about the kind of objects you use for your pleasure Avoid objects with sharp or pointy ends or not at all made for the purpose of masturbation You can use your fingers but ensure they are clean and your nails are trimmed

Please stay safe in this pandemic
Kind regards