Hymenoplasty is a surgical procedure that repairs and reconstructs the hymen, a thin membrane of skin that covers the opening of the vagina. This membrane is typically broken when a women loses her virginity, although activities such as inserting a tampon, strenuous gymnastics, or riding a bicycle have been known to tear the hymen. This surgery is used to restore a "virgin" like quality, and in some ethnic cultures, this can be a life or death matter.