8. What is the hymen? What is its purpose?

The word hymen comes from the Greek humen, or “membrane,” which provided the name for the Greek god of marriage. The hymen is a small membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening. Most- although not all – women are born with one.
Traditionally, people have focused on the fact that the hymen breaks during intercourse and is therefore an indicator of virginity or the lack of it. But the hymen can also be torn or separated in the other ways, including exercise, work, bicycle riding and tampon use.
In addition, the hymen can be so small or flexible that it remains intact even after intercourse. Each year, in fact, thousands of women have their surgically removed prior to childbirth.
Some women experience great discomfort and/or bleeding when their hymen breaks during sex or other activities, while others experience little or none. Because of the premium some people place on virginity, the lack of bleeding is sometimes used to create unnecessary problems.
At this time the biological function of the hymen is not known.