Dear nellyzbaby,

No, it is not true. Some girls bleed during their first vaginal intercourse if their hymen — the thin tissue that stretches across at least part of the opening of the vagina in most girls at birth — has not yet been stretched open. The tissue may tear and bleed when it is stretched open during first vaginal intercourse. Some girls were not born with enough tissue to stretch open. And some who were born with hymenal tissue have stretched the tissue open during horseback riding, bicycling, or other exercise. That's why many young women do not bleed during virginity loss.

Some people believe that an intact hymen is proof of a woman's virginity. But most people do not. They know that each girl is born with a hymen, but that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes — and some girls may appear to have no hymen at all.

Many people also know that it is possible for a woman's hymen to become stretched open through insertive masturbation as well as during sports, and other non-sexual activities, and they do not believe the condition of the hymen is an accurate definition of virginity.

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.