The study by Emans et al 3 is an exception. In we surveyed consultants at district general hospitals 68 paediatricians, 54 obstetricians and gynaecologists, and four consultants in genitourinary medicine. We wanted to establish the frequency with which they examined the hymen in adolescents and how confident they felt about the clinical findings. There was uncertainty regarding the significance of findings. One respondent thought that complete absence of the hymen might be a common finding in girls who were not sexually active; eight respondents thought that it might be a common finding in sexually active adolescent girls. In our experience of examining more than adolescents who had experienced vaginal penetration the most common appearance of the hymen was of indeterminate disruption to the free edge.

Is that true or can I use a tampon? Any girl who has her period can use a tampon. Tampons work just as well for girls who are virgins as they do for girls who have had sex.

Most females are born with a hymen. A hymen is a thin membrane that stretches across the vagina. It generally has a ring-like appearance with a small opening.