Can You Break Your Hymen Masturbating?

Published: June 27, 2018
Dear TeenHealthFX,

Im a virgin 16, turning 17 soon. i was masturbating today and i wanted to try using 3 fingers instead of 2 (i've never done it before). i tried it out, didn't even go half way in and when i looked at my fingers there was a tiny bit of blood but i felt no pain at all could it be that i broke my hymen and i'm not a virgin anymore?

Signed: Can you Break Your Hymen Masturbating?

Dear Can you Break Your Hymen Masturbating? ,

TeenHealthFX would like to begin by defining “virginity” and “hymen.”

According to Planned Parenthood, “A virgin is someone who’s never had sex — but it’s not quite as simple as it seems. That’s because sex means different things to different people, so virginity can mean different things, too.

  • A lot of people think that having penis-in-vagina sex for the first time is how you lose your virginity. But this leaves lots of people and other types of sex out of the picture.
  • Some people haven’t had penis-in-vagina sex, but they’ve had other kinds of sex (like oral sex or anal sex) — and they may or may not see themselves as virgins. And there are lesbian, gay, bisexual or pansexual people who may never have penis-in-vagina sex at all. But they probably don't see themselves as lifelong virgins just because they haven’t had penis-in-vagina sex.
  • Many people believe rape and sexual assault aren’t sex — it’s only sex if both partners have consent. So if someone was forced or pressured the first time they had vaginal sex, oral sex, or anal sex, they may not see that as “losing their virginity.”

 

Further, the hymen is a “piece of tissue that lines the vaginal opening. It has an opening that can be of any size – it can be thin or thick.” Having a hymen and being a virgin are not the same thing. Breaking of the hymen may occur:

  • The first time you have vaginal sex
  • During physical activity (riding a bike, playing sports, etc.)
  • After putting something in your vagina (tampon, finger, sex toy, etc.) 

 

TeenHealthFX cannot conduct a proper diagnosis over the internet. If this issue (bleeding during masturbation) persists and causes discomfort and/or pain, TeenHealthFX suggests scheduling an appointment with your doctor. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers. 

If/when you decide to become sexually active, TeenHealthFX suggests scheduling a meeting with your doctor. He/she can discuss safe sex practices, as well as birth control options. TeenHealth recommends that all sexually active teenagers use condoms every time they have sexual intercourse. Condoms are the only form of birth control that can protect from sexually transmitted infections, and should be used in addition to another form of birth control for best protection.   

TeenHealthFX recommends the following resources:

 

Signed: TeenHealthFX

Ratings