Am I still a virgin if I use a tampon? – Shauna* Yes, as long as you haven't had sex, you are still a virgin. A virgin is someone who has never had sex. If you use a tampon, but have never had sex, you are still a virgin. So why do people ask this question? Girls who are virgins usually have a hymen, a very thin piece of skin-like tissue that partly covers the opening of the vagina. The first time a girl has sex, the hymen stretches and may tear and bleed a little. That is why people say the hymen is "broken." Putting in a tampon can stretch a girl's hymen and even tear it, but this isn't common. Even if does happen, she is still a virgin until she has had sex. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Virginity: A Very Personal Decision Deciding whether it's right for you to have sex is one of the most important decisions you'll ever have to make. Each person must use his or her own judgment and decide if it's the right time - and the right person. Read More Tampons, Pads, and Other Period Supplies When it comes to pads and tampons, there are lots of choices. It may take some experimenting before you find what works best for you. Here are some tips. Read More Female Reproductive System Why do girls get periods? What goes on when a woman gets pregnant? What can go wrong with the female reproductive system? Find the answers to these questions and more in this article for teens. Read More All About Periods Periods can be confusing. Get the facts in this article for teens. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.