Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
Ever heard the phrase “popping your cherry”? It’s slang for losing your virginity and refers to the tearing (stretching open) or “popping” of the hymen during vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina intercourse).
Covering the opening of the vagina, the hymen is a thin layer of skin that can be torn or stretched open with penetration. Found about half an inch inside the vagina, the hymen has tiny holes and a small opening in the centre that allows for menstrual flow.
Sometimes the tearing of the hymen can be uncomfortable and cause bleeding. But other times, you might not even notice when it happens
It’s important to remember that the hymen may not be intact before vaginal sex. Some girls don’t even have a hymen.
The hymen’s natural holes stretch open with time and activity. Masturbation, using tampons, and even rigorous activity like horse riding, dancing, riding a bike, and other sports may stretch the hymen before vaginal sex and can cause rupture or tearing.
So yes – the hymen can definitely be torn without losing your virginity.
Nope. Whether the hymen is torn or stretched out through first vaginal sex or another activity, once the hymen is torn it can’t grow back.
The definition of virginity is complicated. Many people define virginity as never having penis-in-vagina sex, so a torn hymen through masturbation, the use of a tampon, sex toys, or any other activity does not equal a loss of virginity.
However, this definition is very limiting because it excludes lots of people. Some LGBTQ people may never have penis-in-vagina sex, but don’t think of themselves as virgins. And some people who have had other types of sex, like oral or anal sex, also don’t think of themselves as virgins.
As a sexual health nurse, a lot of people tell me they wish they could have more sex, more often… But without getting an STI or becoming pregnant. Sound appealing? Well, there’s a way! It’s 100% risk free and is available anytime, regardless of whether you have a partner around. What is this super sex secret I […]
Sex toys can bring extra fun to masturbating and sex. They’re not just for using alone – they’re also a lot of fun to use with someone else too. Sex toys – the basics Sex toys come in all different shapes, colours and sizes Different toys can be used for […]
