what if after or during fingering of a virgin there is no bleeding can she still be said to be a virgin?

Hello Anonymous,

The hymen has historically been a marker of a woman's virginity. The belief that since the hymen blocked the vaginal opening, it should remain intact as long as a woman did not have sexual intercourse was widely propagated, especially in cultures where a woman's virginity was highly valued.

The hymen is a thin piece of tissue that partially blocks the entrance to the vagina. The hymen varies in size and shape form woman to woman. It usually does not cover the entire vaginal opening.

But it is scientific fact that the hymen can be separated for reasons quite unconnected to sexual intercourse. It can separate when the body is stretched strenuously, as in athletics; it can be separated by inserting a tampon during menstruation or through masturbation; and sometimes it is separated for no apparent reason.

When the hymen is separated, whether during first intercourse or at some other time, there may be some slight bleeding and a little pain.

A separated hymen is not an indication of having had intercourse, nor can it prove a loss of virginity.

I hope this clears up any misinformation you may have heard.

Maryann