The hymen is a mucous membrane located at the mouth of the vaginal opening, usually in a crescent shape along both sides and the anterior (near the anus) portion of the vagina. As for it's purpose, there really isn't one. It's a remnant from early fetal development. It bleeds when it it broken or torn like any other human tissue that has a blood supply. Think of what would happen if you tore the thin piece of skin under your tongue that connects the bottom of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. The bleeding comes from the ruptured blood vessels found in the tissue. It doesn't really GO anywhere, it just retracts toward the edges of the vaginal opening, leaving a fringe of tissue, often ruffled. The pain that some experience usually comes from the actual tearing or ripping of the tissue of the hymen. This tissue doesn't completely close off the vaginal canal, unless there is a birth defect. It has a small opening that allows for free passage of menstrual blood. It can actually be stretched to the point that it never really ruptures. Tampons, masturbation and an active lifestyle can contribute to this stretching or even gradual tearing of the hymen. Hope this helps a little.
That was a good answer, but I would add that the hymen can be entirely missing, have no hole in it or anything between those 2 exteams. All are perfectly normal. What ever the situation with your hymen, it is nothing to worry about.
Very true. Imperforate hymen, the birth defect that I mentioned that can completely close off the vaginal canal. It must be surgically corrected because it doesn't allow for any vaginal secretions or menstrual flow to pass. It is often corrected at birth if found, or later when symptoms appear. And though rare, you can be born without one. Sometimes the hymen can be so thick or have such a small opening that it has to be surgically corrected before sex can become painfree. But these are rarities
Good answer. One clarification...anterior is towards the front, not the back where the anus is--that would be posterior. Anterior is the correct description of the location though.
it rips and the tissue bleeds. it doesn't have a purpose, some girls don't have them. it's located in the vagina. the pain is from stretching. many girls don't even notice when it breaks and a lot of girls accidentally break them while playing sports, etc. before sex and their first time still hurts.
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