[Centurylass]

I am having therapy for trauma. I discover I was raped as a small child. When a small child is raped why is the hymen not broken? Or at what age does the hymen develop in a female child?

[Wondergirl]

It exists in baby girls, according to this section of a Wikipedia article --

In newborn babies, still under the influence of the mother's hormones, the hymen is thick, pale pink, and redundant (folds in on itself and may protrude). For the first two to four years of life, the infant produces hormones that continue this effect.[5] Their hymenal opening tends to be annular (circumferential).[6]

By the time a girl reaches school age, the hymen becomes thin, smooth, delicate, and nearly translucent. It is also very sensitive to touch; a physician who must swab the area should avoid the hymen and swab the outer vulval vestibule instead.[5]

Past neonatal stage, the diameter of the hymenal opening (measured within the hymenal ring) is widening by approximately 1 mm for each year of age.[7] During puberty the hymenal opening can also be enlarged by tampon, menstrual cup use, pelvic examinations with a speculum, regular physical activity or sexual intercourse.[1] Once a girl reaches puberty, the hymen tends to become very elastic. In one survey, only 43% of women reported bleeding the first time they had intercourse, indicating that the hymens of a majority of women are sufficiently opened.[1][5]

Hymen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Fr_Chuck]

It is, Hymen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Why or how did you discover you were raped? I am not saying you were not, but I have seen too many people get lead by the counselor into false areas. ** not saying it was yas your case, but how did you remember it happening

[Wondergirl]

I'm with Fr_Chuck on this. If you were raped, there would be no more hymen. How did you come to the conclusion you had been raped?

[Centurylass]

It exists in baby girls, according to this section of a Wikipedia article --

In newborn babies, still under the influence of the mother's hormones, the hymen is thick, pale pink, and redundant (folds in on itself and may protrude). For the first two to four years of life, the infant produces hormones that continue this effect.[5] Their hymenal opening tends to be annular (circumferential).[6]

By the time a girl reaches school age, the hymen becomes thin, smooth, delicate, and nearly translucent. It is also very sensitive to touch; a physician who must swab the area should avoid the hymen and swab the outer vulval vestibule instead.[5]

Past neonatal stage, the diameter of the hymenal opening (measured within the hymenal ring) is widening by approximately 1 mm for each year of age.[7] During puberty the hymenal opening can also be enlarged by tampon, menstrual cup use, pelvic examinations with a speculum, regular physical activity or sexual intercourse.[1] Once a girl reaches puberty, the hymen tends to become very elastic. In one survey, only 43% of women reported bleeding the first time they had intercourse, indicating that the hymens of a majority of women are sufficiently opened.[1][5]

Hymen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks a lot for this - not sure it helps - but I appreciate you posting it.

[Wondergirl]

The gist of the article is that a hymen exists from birth.

So how did you come to the conclusion that you were raped?

[Centurylass]

It is, Hymen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

why or how did you discover you were raped? I am not saying you were not, but I have seen too many people get lead by the counselor into false areas. ** not saying it was yas your case, but how did you remember it happening

http://www.leadershipcouncil.org/1/res/csa_myths.html

Myth 5

[Wondergirl]

That doesn't answer our question. How did you figure out or remember you had been raped?

[Fr_Chuck]

Agreed, not saying you were not abused or neglected in some way. But you don't remember being raped, it is obvious, so what happened to make you believe you were actually raped, not just abused.

It appears you have been programed to believe it without any reason to, since you can't tell us.

[ScottGem]

I find it odd that, when asked why you think you were raped, you cite an article that supports the lack of physical evidence. All that article does is confirm that lack of physical evidence does not mean you weren't raped. It doesn't answer the question of why you think you were.

You stated you "discovered" you were raped. But if there was no physical evidence then how did you make this discovery?