Dear cuteblondy,

Your friend is probably talking about the hymen — a thin skin that stretches across the opening of the vagina. The first time a girl has vaginal intercourse, she may bleed and feel some pain if her hymen has not yet been stretched open. But not every young woman bleeds the first time she has vaginal intercourse. Some girls are born with very little hymenal tissue, and others have already stretched their hymens from playing sports, using tampons, or having insertive masturbation.

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.