[sera300]

No need to apologize. Upon birth and follow up exams Pediatricians evaluate the entire female genitalia as well as normal growth. If the barrier was that dense and fully covering the entire opening they would act upon it since as I said even the youngest of girls beginning at birth have discharge (note this is not the same as you have quantity wise as you mature into puberty). Withdrawal from moms hormones can cause a spotting/bleeding in newborns, this must pass through the small opening--their hymen is intact.

The only thought I can conclude regarding some of the issues raised here are the hymen was tough in some women when they began their periods, making the use of tampons difficult; therefore, the gyn nicked the remainder of the tissue for comfort purposes.

A tough hymen is an issue for sexual intercourse; thus, requiring intervention to alleviate discomfort or pain upon penetration. Similar examples could be applied to those who wish to use tampons yet cannot insert them. I will admit I have never seen in all the years a vaginal opening fully covered with tissue. Hence, my absolute confusion on the topic.

I am not a gyn doc, I do FNP and Emergency care [and I work as a sexual assault nurse examiner] so documenting the "status" of the hymen is imperative in cases which a gyn exam is involved for those who are younger...

But throughout our female lives our body cleanses the vaginal canal and lubricates it during arousal [even if it is indirect stimulation] and the fluid has managed to escape through an opening. Menstrual fluid is really just a few tablespoons in measurement over days; thus it must escape as well. Perhaps the hymen was tough or it was "larger" then another and doing such was a measure to create comfort? Remember prior to the period we did have discharge which passes and cannot just build up since it would lead to horrific infections. My best thought on the subsequent posts.

Perhaps in a few days Brandye will have something more specific to add.