Confused about what’s true about virginity? Here are some common myths. Source: ShutterStock

There’s no real “exact” definition of virginity — while it’s pretty much accepted that a virgin refers to someone who has not had sex with another person, what exactly “sex” is could mean different things to different people.

In addition, there are a lot of myths out there in regards to virgins and virginity. When those are continually spread around, it can cause a lot of confusion and pain. It’s best to clear up that info, so we’re taking a minute to just debunk a few virginity myths now.

Myth: An intact hymen proves you’re a virgin.
The hymen (that tissue membrane at your vaginal opening) can be stretched or “broken” for a whole host of reasons that don’t include sex. There are virgins who don’t have an intact hymen, but they are still virgins.

Myth: There has to be blood after your first time having sex to prove you were a virgin.
While it is totally normal to have some bleeding after your first time having sex, it’s also normal if that doesn’t happen. Again, because your hymen could have been stretched prior to you having sex for a number of reasons, you may not bleed after your first sexual experience, but that doesn’t mean you weren’t a virgin.

Myth: Using a tampon means you’re not a virgin.
This is a common one (it was even brought up in Mean Girls!), but it’s not true. Though yes, a tampon can stretch your hymen, using tampons has zero to do with if you are a virgin or not.

Myth: Masturbating causes you to lose your virginity.
While masturbation could stretch your hymen, if you masturbate that doesn’t mean you lose your virginity. Most people consider that you lose your virginity involves sex with another person, so someone who masturbates can still be a virgin.

Myth: A girl can’t lose her virginity to another girl.
As we said above, although when many people refer to virginity, they are talking about experiencing penile/vaginal sex, remember that virginity can have different meanings for different people. We all can define just what losing our virginity means, and as a result, two girls can definitely lose their virginity to one another.

Myth: Having sex with a virgin will cure illnesses.
There are some people in the world who believe that having sex with a virgin female will cure HIV/AIDS. There is no truth to this myth at all, and luckily there are people who are working to make sure others are properly educated on the actual facts regarding HIV/AIDS.

Myth: Being a virgin is weird. Or alternatively, being a virgin makes you better than non-virgins.
You completely have the choice to remain a virgin as long as you want and that doesn’t make you weird at all. In addition, choosing to not have sex doesn’t mean that you are better than those girls who are no longer virgins, as they also have the choice to make their own decisions about sex. Basically, whether you’re a virgin or not, it’s not something to stress over because it certainly doesn’t define you as a person.

Had you heard any of these myths about virginity before? What are other myths about virginity that you’ve heard? Tell me in the comments.

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