Yes, if you are a virgin, you can use a menstrual cup.
Anyone can use a menstrual cup as soon as they get their period. There’s no age limit; however, virgins’ and young girls’ vaginal muscles can be tense, which can make inserting the cup more difficult. You might want to practice in the beginning and not force anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
What exactly is virginity?
A virgin is a person who hasn’t had sex, but it’s not always that simple; virginity is a complex topic. Many people define sex and losing your virginity in different ways because sex means different things to different people. Some people might believe that having penetrative sex with a penis in a vagina is how you lose your virginity, but what about other types of sex?
If someone has anal sex or oral sex, they might believe they are no longer a virgin, even though they’ve never had penis-in-vagina sex. And many people among the lgbtqia+ community might never have penis-in-vagina sex, but they do not consider themselves virgins. Most people believe if you were forced, coerced, or pressured, it does not qualify as a sexual act, meaning you are still a virgin. Virginity is complicated, and ultimately, it’s your decision on what it means to be a virgin and lose your virginity.
Do menstrual cups hurt for virgins? Will a menstrual cup stretch out my vagina?
A menstrual cup should never hurt or be uncomfortable; when inserted correctly, you will not even be able to feel the cup! There may be some discomfort as you learn how to put in your cup, but with practice, it will get easier. But you can read our size guide to see which one will be the best fit for you. The vagina is a complex and extraordinary muscle; it’s similar to a rubber band in the sense that it is able to stretch and return to its original state. A menstrual cup or tampon won’t ever cause your vagina to stretch out.
Myths about the hymen and virginity
Perhaps you have, like many others, grown up believing that the hymen is a seal that will burst or break when you have intercourse or some kind of penetration for the first time. But this is misinformation. The hymen is not a seal, and it doesn’t get punctured or break when having sex. It’s a thin piece of tissue that fully or partially covers the vagina, and some people with vaginas are born without one at all.
If you have one, it will naturally wear away through adolescence from self-exploration, sports, riding a bike, and so on. In some countries, cultures, and religions, a lot of value can be placed on having a hymen.
However, scientifically speaking, this has nothing to do with your virginity. As long as you are gentle, you shouldn’t break or tear your hymen when inserting a menstrual cup.
Still, some people have a thicker hymen tissue, an imperforate hymen, or one that almost blocks the vaginal opening. If you have any concerns about your hymen, you should speak to your doctor.
