Dear girlfriez,

No, the hymen cannot grow back once it has been stretched open. The hymen is a thin, fleshy tissue that stretches across part of the opening of the vagina. The hymen can be stretched open the first time a girl has vaginal intercourse.

Some people believe that a woman whose hymen has been stretched open is no longer a virgin. But having a hymen and being a virgin are not the same thing. There are other ways that a woman can stretch her hymen, including using tampons, insertive masturbation, riding a bicycle, or doing gymnastics.

Virginity means never having had sex. People may define "sex" differently. Most people agree that women and men lose their virginity the first time they have penile-vaginal intercourse. Many people also believe that people who have sex with someone of the same sex can lose their virginity through oral or anal intercourse. But regardless, there is no way to "regain" virginity — being someone who never had sexual intercourse — no matter how long anyone goes without having sexual 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.