Written by Luiza Ghazaryan

Social Context

According to the UN, about 20 countries across the world still implement virginity testing. It is also referred to as the “two-finger” exam, a gynecological inspection of female genitalia, based on the false belief that it can determine whether the girl or the woman has had sexual intercourse in the past (the presence of the hymen). The testing is usually done by doctors, police officers or community leaders in order to assess the girl’s “innocence,” social value, and honor before marriage. Nevertheless, the UN states that virginity testing has no scientific basis and that “this medically unnecessary, and often times painful, humiliating and traumatic practice must end.” Moreover, the hymen does not tear only from sexual intercourse – some girls are born without it, or it can happen during horse or bike riding, from inserting a tampon, playing sports and dancing. Virginity testing has more impact other than being an indicator of a woman’s worth.

Psychological Consequences

Without the woman’s consent, this unlawful practice is sexual assault. Many women and girls feel anxious and scared before the exam, but after the exam, the long-term impacts of the trauma include depression, loss of self-esteem. This is an invasive practice in different parts of the world. Most importantly, the most terrifying consequence of virginity testing is re-victimization and re-traumatization in cases of sexual assault, because some people still use it as a way to determine if the woman or girl have actually been raped. This is due to the testing mimicking the act of sexual violence. By being a violation of women’s rights, this unfair procedures causes girls to attempt suicide or be killed “in the name of ‘honour.’” There was a reported case of an Iranian woman who committed suicide after undergoing a virginity testing and being told that her hymen is not intact, although she stated that she was a virgin. Girls who are not deemed to be virgins may be isolated from their families and communities, excluded from social events, and unable to marry or find jobs because they are considered impure.           

Physical Consequences

Vaginal and hymenal tissue can be injured during trauma and the virginity testing is known to have a forcible nature. The examination can injure and damage the genitalia and lead to bleeding, which in its turn, can cause various infections. According to World Health Organization (WHO), “virginity testing is performed on many girls at once, often by untrained individuals or in unhygienic settings or in an unhygienic manner, such as repetitive use of the same gloves; this could potentially increase the risk of STIs and HIV.” Some girls even tried to insert unhygienic material into their vagina to resemble a hymen-like “white veil.” Obviously, inserting, for example, toothpaste or freshly cut meat into the vagina can increase the risk of bleeding and infections. Because of the fear of virginity testing and social expectations, girls may engage in unsafe and unprotected anal or oral sex, which, again, increases the risks of STIs. An interesting topic to discuss here is hymenoplasty, a procedure undertaken to reconstruct a hymen, involving stitching hymenal remnants together at the vaginal opening. First of all, this procedure makes women believe that their bodies have to be something else in order to have social acceptance and value, and the fact that they choose to repair a tiny tissue in their bodies to preserve honor is terrifying. Secondly, there are various risks associated with this surgery. While these are rare, if the operation goes wrong, infection, bleeding, scarring, pain with intercourse, and deformity are possible. Most women feel pressured to undergo this surgery and it is not fully their choice, again violating their rights.

A Form of Gender Discrimination

\“Virginity” is a social construct and is not a scientific or medical term. It is an expectation from society that women and girls should preserve their sexuality until marriage. However, this issue isn’t reported among men because there is no virginity testing for them and it is not shameful to have sexual partners before marriage. The virginity testing emphasizes the control over female bodies and their sexuality.

Recommendations to Medical Practitioners

WHO states that “Health professionals can be great agents for change.” If a medical practitioner is asked to determine whether the woman has actually been sexually assaulted, they must not perform such testing because all that matters is trusting women and taking care of their health by testing for STIs or suggesting psychological support. The physicians must abide by the WHO handbook that states all women and girls must be treated with respect and privacy. Health systems have the power to tell the governments and societies that virginity testing has no medical basis and should be recognized as an unlawful act of women’s rights violation.

Support for Girls and Women

It is crucial to have conversations with girls about these practices, to tell them about their bodies, rights, and freedom in order to raise awareness. It is recommended to provide support by listening to the woman’s concerns and ensure confidentiality because they might be in a life-threatening situation and in need of immediate help. Tell them that they are free to make the choices they want and their decisions should not be motivated by societal expectations. There are always communities and organizations that will provide mental support to those who have undergone the testing. And remember, virginity is not a medical condition, therefore, there is no need for medical assessment or intervention.