Dear katiecupcake,

There might be a little bit of bleeding if your hymen was stretched open.

The hymen is a thin piece of skin that stretches across the opening to the vagina. Some girls are born with very little hymenal tissue, so they don't even know it's there. Others have hymens that cover much of the vaginal opening. These girls may need to stretch the hymen open in order to use a tampon or to prepare for intercourse.

The hymen can be stretched open through sexual intercourse or fingering, but it can also be stretched open during all sorts of other physical activities. Something as simple as playing sports, horseback riding, or riding a bicycle can stretch open the hymen.

A woman should see a clinician if she's in a lot of pain or bleeding heavily after fingering.

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.