The press release explains that the new name came about last spring, when the Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) published a book "intended to dispel some of the myths surrounding the hymen and virginity." The book describes what the female genitals actually look like and what the hymen (whoops, sorry, vaginal corona) really is.

Apparently, the word "hymen" comes from the Greek word for membrane. In Swedish, the word of hymen was mödomshinna, which translates literally as "virginity membrane." However, the book explains that the hymen is actually made up of folds of mucous membrane. They also describe the appearance of the hymen:

Every woman's corona looks different - just like ear lobes, noses and labia - and differs in size, colour and shape... It is slightly pink, almost transparent, but if it's thicker it may look a little paler or whitish. It may resemble the petals of a rose or other flower, it may be carnation-shaped, or it may look like a jigsaw piece or half-moon.

Pretty!

More importantly, the booklet points out that the hymen has little to do with virginity. There is no such thing as "breaking" the hymen. The corona can be torn slightly, or experience minor trauma, but since the tissue is elastic, it is never entirely ruptured. Contrary to popular belief, the book claims that the hymen also can't be broken by a bike seat or riding a horse. RFSU secretary general Åsa Regnér explains:

The vaginal corona is a permanent part of a woman's body throughout her life. It doesn't disappear after she first has sexual intercourse, and most women don't bleed the first time. The myths surrounding the hymen were created to control women's freedom and sexuality. The only way to counteract this is by disseminating knowledge.

In order to do this, the RFSU has translated the book into several languages commonly spoken in Sweden. It makes for an interesting read - the discussion of the virginity myth is particularly good - and has taught me a couple new things about my lady parts. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the name is going to stick. While I only have good associations with the word "corona," its too hard not to think of it "with lime" rather than "carnation-shaped mucous membrane." And frankly, I prefer the former.

Time For More Accurate Terminology: Hymen Renamed "Vaginal Corona" [RFSU]
Hymen, I Hardly Knew Ya [Feministe]
Vaginal Corona Booklet (PDF) [RFSU]

Hysterectomies are the second most common surgical procedure for women of reproductive age (the first being cesarean sections). By the age of 60, nearly a third of all American woman will have had the surgery. It is estimated that 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. each year, giving America one of the highest hysterectomy rates. Some argue that American doctors are way too likely to chose a hysterectomy over alternative procedures, and that up to two thirds of the women who received hysterectomies did not actually need them.

There is also some debate among doctors over what exactly needs to be removed during a hysterectomy. While most doctors remove the cervix along with the uterus, experts assert that doing so may increase the risk of damage to the bladder and nearby nerves. Just as important is the possibility that preserving the cervix may allow many women to enjoy better post-procedure sex lives:

Some researchers believe that for at least some women, the cervix may contribute to sexual pleasure; doctors also say leaving it in place makes it easier to avoid unwittingly shortening the vaginal canal. A 212-patient Finnish study from 1983 found pain upon intercourse pre-hysterectomy was better relieved by a cervix-sparing procedure. A parallel study, involving the same women, found the frequency of orgasms decreased in women who had their cervix removed but not in those who didn't.

However, these claims are not without controversy. Some doctors still believe that there is no solid reason to spare the cervix, and that removing the cervix can help patients avoid cancer, frequent pap smears, and spotting.

A similar question has been raised about the preservation of the ovaries, reports Newsweek. Two new studies suggest that, among women with stage one endometrial cancer, there are similar survival rates for those who have their ovaries removed along with the uterus, and those who choose to keep their ovaries. There may also be health benefits to keeping the ovaries intact: estrogen produced by the ovaries can help protect against heart disease and thinning bones. Furthermore, women who had their ovaries removed before menopause have a greater chance of developing dementia or other memory problems.

Dr. Seth Kivnick from the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in West Los Angeles stresses the importance of letting a woman decide for herself whether or not she would like to keep her cervix: "When you give women the choice, and you tell them the pros and cons, many of them find the idea of keeping the cervix very appealing."

The Debate Over Sparing the Cervix In Hysterectomies [WSJ]
Female Trouble [Newsweek]
Experts: Two-thirds Of Hysterectomies Unnecessary [CNN]

Image via Elite Choice

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