Importance of Virginity
In many conservative societies, premarital sexual relationships are deemed immoral. Virginity is valued as a noble attribute, traditionally reserved for a lawful spouse at marriage. However, the widespread availability of sexual content and the adoption of more liberal worldviews have made abstaining from sexual activity increasingly challenging. As a result, the mystique and fear surrounding sex have diminished in several cultures. Nevertheless, numerous communities continue to strictly prohibit premarital intercourse, leading to the stigmatization and ostracization of individuals, particularly women, who engage in such behavior.
Virginity
This profound respect for virginity in conservative settings has led to the emergence of alternative sexual practices before marriage, which may pose greater health risks compared to vaginal intercourse. In an effort to uphold cultural ideals of “sexual purity,” many women have turned to anal sex as a means of preserving their virgin status.
Moreover, the concept of “technical virginity” has gained traction in recent academic literature. Technical virginity describes the practice of avoiding vaginal intercourse while participating in other sexual activities, such as oral or anal sex.
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Hymenoplasties
More concerning is the rise in hymenoplasties, surgical procedures that reconstruct the hymen to conceal evidence of sexual activity. Hymenoplasty is becoming more common in cultures where the hymen is viewed as a symbol of virginity. Women opt for this surgery to restore the hymen’s original condition for cultural and, in some cases, religious reasons. Typically, the hymen—a fibrous and elastic tissue in the lower part of the vagina—tears during a woman’s first sexual intercourse. However, other activities such as physical injury, unexpected movements, tampon use, or sports like horseback riding can also cause hymenal tears.
To preserve virginity and prevent hymenal tears, some women in certain cultures engage in anal intercourse. This practice has fostered the misconception that anal sex is a safe alternative for avoiding pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections while maintaining virgin status. However, anal intercourse carries significant health risks that are often overlooked due to the high cultural value placed on virginity until marriage.
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Dangers of unsafe sex
In conservative countries, promoting sexual abstinence until marriage is the primary method for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Religious and social norms often exclude other safe sex practices like condom use and non-penetrative sex. Consequently, anal sex has become more prevalent among sexually active women, with a global prevalence of 5–10%. To preserve virginity, women may engage in anal intercourse, which increases the risk of HIV and other STIs. The per-contact chance of HIV transmission is ten times higher for penile-anal intercourse than for penile-vaginal sex, according to the European Study Group on Heterosexual Transmission of HIV.
Conclusion
While cultural norms that promote virginity until marriage are deeply rooted in many societies, research suggests that these ideals may sometimes lead to unintended health risks. The rise in premarital anal sex—often perceived as a loophole to preserve virginity—can expose individuals to higher rates of HIV and other STIs, especially in the absence of condom use or regular testing.
Rather than abandoning tradition, public health efforts should aim to enhance sexual health literacy within cultural frameworks. Encouraging open, age-appropriate, and evidence-based sex education empowers individuals to make informed decisions, protecting both personal health and community well-being.
Sexual health programs must address these trends with cultural sensitivity, providing resources that support safer practices and STI screening. Encouraging regular testing and informed conversations can help reduce risk without dismissing the cultural values individuals hold dear.
References
Shayo, E. H., Kalinga, A. A., Senkoro, K. P., Msovela, J., Mgina, E. J., Shija, A. E., Materu, G., Kilima, S. P., Mboera, L. E. G., & Massaga, J. J. (2017). Prevalence and risk factors associated with female anal sex in the context of HIV/AIDS in the selected districts of Tanzania. BMC Research Notes, 10(1), 140. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-2452-9
Olamijuwon, E., Odimegwu, C. Saving Sex for Marriage: An Analysis of Lay Attitudes Towards Virginity and its Perceived Benefit for Marriage. Sexuality & Culture 26, 568–594 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09909-7
Uecker, J. E., Angotti, N., & Regnerus, M. D. (2008). Going most of the way: “Technical virginity” among American adolescents. Social Science Research, 37(4), 1200–1215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2007.09.006
