ACOG Statement on "Virginity Testing"

Washington, DC—Ted L. Anderson, MD, PhD, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), released the following statement regarding the subject of “virginity testing” which has made news headlines over the past week:

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not have guidance on ‘virginity testing.’ As a medical organization, ACOG releases guidance on medically indicated and valid procedures.”

Additional information

ACOG’s Patient FAQ addresses questions about the hymen.

The World Health Organization’s statement to eliminate “virginity-testing.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 58,000 members, ACOG strongly advocates for quality health care for women, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members, promotes patient education, and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women’s health care. www.acog.org