For Patients/Families

Hymen
A thin membranous tissue fold which partially or wholly occludes the external orifice of the vagina. A woman's first coitus usually tears the hymen, resulting in a permanent change in the appearance of the hymen. In some women the membrane may be resistant to tearing and a simple, surgical procedure, hymenectomy, may be required. Some bleeding may occur with rupture of the hymen.