Dear angel_554,

"Popping the cherry" is slang for stretching the hymen — and it's usually used in reference to "losing" one's virginity.

Yes, it's possible for a woman's hymen ("cherry") to become stretched open ("popped") through insertive masturbation, as well as by playing sports and other non-sexual activities.

Insertive masturbation for a woman means using a finger or object, such as a sex toy, to stimulate her own vagina. It is normal and healthy to masturbate with or without sex toys. It's very important to keep any toy clean. It is also important to not use dangerous toys such as those made out of glass, those that stimulate by suction, those that can break off or get lost in the body, or things that won't splinter.

Different people define virginity in different ways. Most people agree that virginity means not having had penile-vaginal intercourse. Many people agree that people who masturbate or have other kinds of sex play are still virgins — as long as they don't have vaginal intercourse.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.