Virginity

Whereas chastity is a multifaceted code of inner feeling and outward behaviour, virginity is an anatomical landmark signifying the integrity of the hymenal ring. Because this ring is usually torn as the male organ is introduced into the vagina for the first time (this tear being referred to as defloration), an intact hymen is expected to be the finding in females who have not had sexual intercourse, excluding of course the rare incidents of accidental traumatization of the hymen. Although virgo intacta (intact hymen) is not synonymous with chastity (which is a more comprehensive moral feature and not an isolated structural finding), it is usually an accompaniment thereof.

In the earliest days of the current libertarian social norms, more than a century ago, the masses were indoctrinated with the teaching that the hymen could be tom by horse riding, bicycle riding or engagement in sports and gymnastics. The statement is false but because it was widely spread it became a (false) truth. More and more hymens lost their integrity but this caused no embarrasment as there was a respectable excuse. The new morality has now become so established that in some societies the embarrasment is felt by the girl with an intact hymen: and I am referring of course to the (civilized) west. Many western colleagues show great surprise when told that in communities where religion is still recognized, muslim and christian girls do not indulge in premarital sex, and the virginity at marriage remains in the region of one hundred percent, irrespective of age, education or social class.

The regard given virginity in muslim societies has an influence on the practice of gynaecology .Gynaecologists examining unmarried girls avoid vaginal examination whenever possible and usually resort to pelvic examination per rectum. Menstrual tampons are not used by the unmarried and only pads are used. Accidental injury of the hymen resulting from a fall on a sharp object are taken seriously and treated carefully. Cases of cryptomenorrhoea due to imperforate hymen (a hymen without an opening leading to penting up of menstrual blood inside the vagina) undergoing surgical treatment, do not have the hymen excised but only a small cruciate incision is made in the hymen and the ensuing corners are stitched to the outer face of the hymen. The operation aims at creating a small hymenal opening so that at marriage, when sex is consummated, there will be a fresh tear associated with defloration bleeding as befits a virgin. On occasion the gynaecologist may have to give counsel in cases where the intact hyman is too elastic and therefore stretches out without being torn at consummation of marriage and therefore the expected defloration bleed does not occur. Sometimes also the gynaecologist is consulted by court in cases where a woman applies for divorce on the premises that the husband is impotent and marriage remains unconsummated as evidenced by an intact hymen .