The hymen does not exist

Read the text in Swedish, Arabic and Somali.

There is no hymen covering the opening of the vagina. Period blood and discharge would not be able to come out if there was a membrane.

The myth about the hymen is a way to try to control the sexuality of girls and women. Some people believe that this is a way to make sure that a girl or woman has not had sex before she gets married. But that is not true. It is not possible to see or examine whether a person has had sex or not. No one has the right to decide when and with whom you have sex.

The mucous membrane inside the opening of the vagina has several folds in the tissue. The folds are irregular in shape and can look somewhat pleated or wrinkled. The folds look different in different people. Sometimes this mucous membrane is called the vaginal corona.

You can see what your vagina looks like if you want. You can do this by using a mirror and spreading your inner labia. You can also insert a finger into your vagina and explore how the opening of the vagina feels. This will not affect it in any way.

Your vagina changes as you grow. During puberty, it becomes larger and more stretchable.

Have you undergone female genital mutilation (FGM, also known as female circumcision or cutting) and, for example, had your labia sewn together? Read more here: Female circumcision – Female genital mutilation (länkar till texten om könsstympning).

Most people do not bleed the first time they have sexual intercourse. People who believe that the hymen exists also often believe that girls and women should bleed the first time they have sex. But that is not true.

You may bleed when you have sex. This is usually due to small cracks in the lining of the vagina. This can happen if you are not aroused enough.

Your vagina becomes wet, soft and stretchable when you are aroused. This reduces the risk of pain and bleeding.

Do you often bleed when you have sex, or does it hurt? Contact a youth clinic (ungdomsmottagning) or gynaecology clinic for help.

Some people worry that they won't bleed the first time. Are you afraid of being threatened or abused if you don't bleed the first time you have sex? You can get help at the following:

• The social services office in your municipality
• The police
• A youth clinic
• Student healthcare services at your school

There are also places that specifically help young people who experience honour-based violence, abuse or oppression. You can seek help without giving your name.

In many places you can also get help in different languages.

Here are some examples:

• Somaya support helpline (link to a website in Swedish but support is available in several different languages).
• Terrafem (link to a website in Swedish but support is available in several different languages).
• Rätt att välja (link to a website in Swedish but access to an interpreter is available).

Remember: No one else has the right to make decisions about your body. No one else can decide if, when or how you should have sex.

No, no one can tell whether you have had sex. Not even a doctor or midwife can tell by carrying out a gynaecological examination. You are the only person who knows.

It is illegal to perform so-called hymenoplasty (hymen repair surgery). Hymenoplasty means that a doctor sews together parts of the opening of the vagina so that it bleeds during sex. It is also illegal to write a certificate stating that someone is a virgin. Anyone who does this can be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment.

No. The vagina is not changed by normal activities such as:

• having sex with someone
• masturbation
• exercise or sports
• horse riding
• cycling
• using a tampon or menstrual cup
• a gynaecological examination.