Virginity

Virginity means a state of purity or inexperience. Traditionally a virgin is a person that has not had sexual intercourse. Virginity has different meanings and importance in different religions and cultures.

The idea that Virgin women have an unbroken hymen is false. The hymen partially blocks the opening of the vagina about two inches deep. When a man inserts his penis into the vagina, this can tear or break the hymen which may result in bleeding. This blood is important in many cultures, as it is a sign that the woman is a virgin. There are other actions that can result in the hymen being worn away. These include riding a horse, playing sports, or other recreational activities. It can also heal over time just like torn human tissue can.

It is possible for a virgin to have a sexually transmitted disease, which was acquired by some other means: such as drug use, blood or plasma transfusions, close skin contact in the pubic area with infected people, oral sex, and other means.

In several polytheistic religions, priestesses of certain gods have to be virgins. In many cultures it is said that women should be virgins until marriage. In some cultures, women who are not virgins until marriage are ostracized or murdered.

References

Related pages
Chastity

Category:Human sexuality