Sexual exploration and negotiation as a byproduct of hymen-protection in Lebanon

Background: Patriarchal systems govern women's sexualities and bodily autonomy by valuing virginity and associating honor to intact hymens. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey on sexual behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions conducted in a private university from Lebanon. Results: Half the study participants (N=1,838) state being sexually active. A third of those sexually active stated engaging in anal and/or oral sex particularly to avoid hymen-breaking. While 60% eventually did engage in vaginal sex, an increased likelihood of doing so was being in a relationship (OR: 1.5, p=0.013, 95%CI= 1.09-2.17). Conversely, exclusively engaging in anal/oral sex to hymen-preserve was 4.4 times (p=0.001, 95%CI=1.86-10.5) more common among non-Lebanese Arab men than Lebanese. Adjusting for nationality, age, sex, and relationship status, religious faith showed a 3 fold (p=<0.0001, 95%CI=1.7-5.2) increase in solely engaging in non-vaginal sex as compared to the non religious and those unconcerned with hymen integrity. Additionally adjusting for religiosity, women who eventually engaged in sex vaginally were 2.6 times likely (p=0.002, 95%CI=1.43-4.58) to feel they'd engaged in activity they hadn't wish for, yet 70% less likely (p=<0.0001, 95%CI=0.18-0.59) to sense their relationships are fast paced sexually. Regardless of gender, guilt of having sexual impulses was associated with hymen-protection. Conclusions: Women initially refusing hymen-breaking signifies a larger decision-making capacity than commonly perceived. Although engaging in more than they wish, women state comfort with the sexual pace within their relationships. The increasing prevalence of hymenoplasties in Lebanon may explain why more women venture into sexual exploration in their relationships.