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VIRGINITY AND DEFLORATION VIRGINITY Virginity is a condition of a female who have not experienced sexual intercourse and whose genital organs have not been altered by carnal connection. A woman is a virtuous female if her body is pure and if she has never had any sexual intercourse with another, though her mind and heart is impure. The presumption of a womans virginity arises whenever it is shown that she is single and continuous until overthrown by proof to be contrary. A woman is presumed to be a virgin when unmarried and of good reputation.

Kinds of Virginity: 1. Moral Virginity The state of not knowing the nature of sexual life not and not having experienced sexual relation. Moral virginity applies to children below the age of puberty and whose sex organs and secondary sex characters are not yet developed. 2. Physical Virginity A condition whereby a woman is conscious of the nature of the sexual life but has not experienced sexual intercourse. The term applies to women who have reached sexual maturity but have not experienced sexual intercourse. There are no conclusive medical findings to show that a woman is physically virgin. Reliance is given to the absence of laceration of the hymen, but a woman might have had previous sexual intercourse and yet the hymen was unruptured while others might not have the experienced of sexual relations but have laceration of the hymen.

If the findings show absence of laceration of the hymen, distinction should be drawn between true and false physical virginity. a. True Physical Virginity A condition wherein the hymen is intact with the edges distinct and regular and the opening small to barely admit the tip of the smallest finger of the examiner even if the thighs are separated. b. False Physical Virginity A condition wherein the hymen is unruptured but the orifice is wide and elastic to admit two or more fingers of the examiner with a lesser degree of resistance. The hymen may be laxed and distensible and may have previous sexual relation. In this particular instance the physician may not be able to make a convincing conclusion that the subject is virgin. 3. Demi-Virginity This term refers to a condition of a woman who permits any form of sexual liberties as long as they abstain from rupturing the hymen by sexual act. The woman may be embraced, kissed, may allow her breasts to be fondled, her private organ to be held and other lascivious acts. The woman allows sexual intercourse but only inter-femora or even inter-labla but not to the extent or rupturing the hymen. 4. Virgo Intacta Literally the term refers to a truly virgin woman that there are no structural changes in her organ infer previous sexual intercourse and that she is virtuous woman. Inasmuch as there are no conclusive evidences to prove the existence of such condition, liberal authorities extend the connotation of the term to include women who have had previous sexual acts or even habitually but had not given birth. Parts of the female body to be considered in the determination of the condition of virginity:

1. Breast The breasts (mammary glands) are functionally related to the reproductive system since they secrets milk for nourishment of the young child. At their inner structures are 15 to 20 lobes of glandular tissues supported by connective tissue name-work wit variable amount of adipose tissue. On the ventral surface of each breast is a cylindrical projection called nipple and at its rounded tip are perforations which are the openings of the ducts draining the milk glands. The nipple is surrounded by a pigmented are called areola which becomes dark brown during pregnancy. The nine, consistency and shape of the female adult breast varies with age, degree of physical development, stage in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, nutrition and hormonal factors. A fully developed breast may be classified according to shape as follows: a. Hemispherical Breast The breast is like a hemisphere. The contour lines are not straight but form of a circle or half of a sphere. b. Conical Breast The breast has the shape similar to a cone. The outline consists of two converging lines which meet at the region of the nipple. c. Infantile or Flat Breast The breast is only slightly elevated from the chest without distinct boundary and showing no definite shape. d. Pendulous Breast The skin of the breast is loose making it capable of swinging in any direction. This is commonly observed among parturient breast-feeding mothers. A pendulous breast may be: (1) Hemispherical pendulous breast It has the shape of a hemisphere but with loose skin. (2) Conical pendulous breast It has the shape of a cone and is capable of swinging sidewise.

The condition of the breast is not reliable evidence to determine virginity. The size, shape and consistency of the breast may be hormonab or hereditary. The advent or artificial feeding makes it possible for parturient women to preserve the condition of the breast. 2. Vaginal Canals: As a general rule, the vaginal canal of virgin is tight and the rugosities are sharp and prominent insertion of a finger or instrument may show certain degree of resistance. The wall of the vagina is composed of smooth muscle and fibro elastic connective tissue so that its tightness and degree of resistance on insertion of a finger or an instrument depends on the integrity of its wall, as well as on the potency of its lubrication secretion. The sharpness of the walls rugosities may be diminished by insertion of foreign bodies, passage of clotted blood, self-manipulation, etc. and not by sexual intercourse. The canal may be inherently lax and rugosities not prominent since birth. 3. Labia Majora and Labia Minora. The labia majora is firm, elastic and plump and its medical borders are usually in close contact with each other so as to cover the labia minora and the clitoris. The labia minora is sort, pinkish in close contact with one another, and its vestibule is narrow. Entry of the male organ may cause the labia gape due to stretching if their borders. 4. Fourchette: The fourchette present a V-shape appearance as the two labia minora unite posteriorly. After severe distention, the sharpness of the acute angle may become rounded with retraction of the edges.

The rounding of the fourchette and the retraction of the edges can be a consequence of so many causes. Stretching of the thighs,

instrumentation, horse or bicycle riding may produce the condition other than sexual intercourse. 5. Hymen: Physicians give much attention in the examination of the hymen in the determination of virginity. Classification of Hymen: a. As to shape and size of the opening: (1) Annular or circular The opening is oval or circular located at the center of the hymen. There may be indentation of the borders. (2) Infantile The opening is small, usually linear, fleshly and resistant. (3) Semilunar or crescentric The concavity may be facing either side or upwards or downwards. The tapering ends of the crescent may be the frequent sites of laceration. (4) Linear The opening is slit-like and usually running vertically. (5) Crib form The hymen presents several opening instead of a single one. In several instances the openings are quite small and will require the use of a hand lens to make them visible. (6) Stellate hymenal opening is like a star. (7) Septate There are two openings which may be of equal or different sizes separated by a bridge of hymenal tissue. After a sexual act there may be complete rupture of the bridging tissue

or marked distention of one to make the other opening almost invisible. (8) Fimbriated The border of the openings shows small irregular protrusion towards the opening. In some instances the fimbriation may be big enough that the examiner may mistake it to be a superficial invisible. (9) Imperforate There is no opening on the hymen. When a woman starts to menstruate, surgery may be necessary to open the hymen to allow free passage of menstrual blood. b. As to structure and consistency: (1) Firm with strong connective tissue and plenty of blood vessels This type has no more tendency to lacerate during the first sexual act and the laceration may produce relatively more hemorrhage. (2) Thick yielding hymen, with scarce blood vessels The hymen is distensible, easily penetrated and when lacerated will cause less bleeding. (3) Membranous hymen Hymen is parchment-like, may be transparent and may lacerate without pain or appreciable bleeding. c. As to number of opening: (1) Single orifice Having one opening. (2) Septate Having two openings. (3) Multiple Having several openings. (4) Imperforate Without orifice. Virginity is Not Synonymous with Chastity:

A woman may resort to many forms of homosexual as well as heterosexual practices without losing her virginity, yet she may be unchaste. A woman may have a ruptured hymen and other signs of loss of physical virginity, yet she is chaste. She may resort to masturbation with rupture of the hymen and dilatation of the vaginal canal causing it to appear that she has had several sexual intercourses, yet she may still be a virgin. DEFLORATION Defloration is the laceration or rupture of the hymen as a result of sexual intercourse. All other lacerations of the hymen which are not caused by sexual act are not considered as defloration. Parts if the female genitalia that must be examined to determine defloration: 1. Condition of the Values: Normally the labia majora and minors are in close contact with one another covering almost completely the external genitalia. After defloration the labia may gape exposing the introitus vulvae. The finding may not be relied upon because some females may have inherently gaping labia, especially, asthenic women although there is no history of previous sexual act, while others may preserve the coaptated labia even if there has been previous sexual act. 2. Fourchette: The normal V-shape of the fourchette is lost on account of the previous stretching during insertion of the male organ. Withdrawal of the

stretching force will cause will cause retraction of its walls with rounding of the base. 3. Vaginal canal: After repeated sexual acts, there is diminution of the sharpness or obliteration of the vaginal rugosities. There will be laxity of its wall so that insertion of a medium size tube during the medical examination can be done with slight resistance. Predisposing causes of vulvo-vaginal injuries during sexual act: a. Virginity Sex organ does not have previous experience to stretching or coital act. b. Prepuberty The genital organ is not yet fully developed to subject it to full physiological function. c. Genital disproduction The male organ is unusually big or female organ infantile in size in spite of adult age. d. Unprepared or unaroused female Dorsal the vaginal secretion is absent, causing more friction. e. Position during sexual act Dorsal decubitus position with the thighs hyperflexed predisposes to deep penetration by the male organ and is contributory to vaginal vault lacerations. Vaginal position may not be in harmony with the movement of the penis. f. Brutality of the male partner during the sexual act. g. Recent vaginal surgery The canal may become narrow and fibrous scar may replace the muscular vaginal wall at the site of surgery. h. Excessive active involvement of the female partner.

i. Multiple sexual act among sex deviates (Nymphomaniac or satyriatic) or multiple consort Continuous stretching and friction may weaken its wall. j. Renewed sexual activity after prolonged abstinence. k. Post-menopause. l. Uterine retroversion. 4. Hymen: The hymen is lacerated during initial sexual act. However, it is not always the case. Some hymen are thick, elastic and fleshly such that they can resist certain degree of distention without causing laceration. Some women may inherently have lacerated hymen probably on account of previous trauma during the early age. The fact that the hymen is intact does not prove absence of previous sexual intercourage and the presence of laceration does not prove deflorations Other Causes of Hymenal Laceration: a. Passage of clotted blood during menstruation. b. Ulceration due to disease, like diphtheria. c. Jumping or running. d. Falling on hard and sharp object. e. Medical instrumentation. f. Local medication. g. Self-scratching due to irritation. h. Masturbation. i. Insertion of foreign bodies. j. Previous operation. During Sexual Excitement: 1. Local Changes:

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The parasympathethic innervations of the sex organ is from the 2 nd, 3rd and 4th spinal sacral segments and the sympathetic innervations is from the 11th thoracie down to the 1st lumbar. In the male, the stimulus may be central or somesthetic or local tactile in origin. In the male, stimulation will cause erection of the penis due to active dilation of the arteries through the nervus origentis. The erection is also brought about by the contraction of the ischiocavernous muscle producing compression of the dorsal vein of the penis, thus causing accumulation of blood under pressure. 2. Systematic Effects: a. An increase in the pulse rate: b. Marked increased in blood pressure making its peak during orgasm; c. An increase of peripheral flow of blood experienced as an increase of body warmtn; d. Tomescence (engorgement of blood), which is the consequence of this peripheral flow concentrating on erectile tissue; e. Increased respiration; f. A decrease in bleeding during arousal, which is reversed subsequently; g. A decrease is blunting of the sense of touch. (1) There is blunting of the sense of touch. (2) Pain may be largely lost; sensation which could be sharply painful may only be experienced as no more than a mid touch stimulation. (3) Alertness of hearing and vision is clearly decreased. 1. Death of the male partner:

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a. Death from natural cause: During sexual intercourse, the male as an active subject develops increase blood pressure, tachycardia and hyperventilation due to emotional response and muscular exertion. If he is suffering from cardiovascular disease or insufficiency of cardiac reserve, the increase demand on the cardiovascular system may not be met and he may die. This is also true in masturbation. b. Death may be due to the defensive act of the woman-victim: In cases of rape, the victim may be able to take hold of a sharp instrument and inflict injuries to the offender which may cause his death. 2. Death of the Female Partner: Women almost never suffer death from natural causes during the normal sexual act. The reason may be that they are less susceptible to cardio-vascular disease and that they play a passive role in sexual intercourse. Women can control their tendencies to over-excitement and they exert less physical effort in a sexual act than men do.

Source: Legal Medicine By: Pedro P. Solis, MD, LlB, D. Crim. 2009 Edition