Hymenoplasty: Procedure and Benefits

Overview

Hymenoplasty is the surgical procedure to reconstruct the hymen. Hymen is the thin, pink colored mucous membrane which acts as a barrier and prevents any foreign particles from entering the female’s vagina until her puberty. Some females may be born without an intact hymen. There is no significant risk or harm in case of absence of the hymen. Hymen breaks or tears during the female’s first sexual intercourse. A female is likely to bleed a little due to the breaking of the hymen. However, the hymen may also break due to vigorous physical activities such as horse-riding, gymnastics, strenuous stretching or in accidental cases. In India, a female is considered a virgin when she has an intact hymen. With the hymenoplasty procedure, a female can regain her virginity safely. This procedure leaves behind no scars, marks of stitches or any signs of a surgical procedure being performed.

Benefits of Hymenoplasty

• Restores the hymen

• A new start for victims of sexual assault

• Rejuvenates the hymen

• Chronic diarrhea

Procedure of Hymenoplasty

Hymen reconstruction surgery or hymenoplasty can be done on a female above the age of 18 years, even months or years after breaking off the hymen. To avoid any risks or complications, the surgery must be performed by a specialised gynecologist. In this surgical procedure, the torn edges of the hymen are stitched back together with the use of dissolvable sutures. The procedure gives a reconstructed, rejuvenated hymen that appears youthful and would bleed on sexual penetration. Sutures used in this procedure are self-dissolvable and dissolve within a few days after the surgery. The female does not need to go for follow-up appointments with the gynecologist after hymenoplasty. A female is given anesthesia before the surgery so that she feels no pain or discomfort during the procedure. Females are advised to avoid any vigorous activity such as lifting heavyweights, gymnastics, riding a bicycle or horse riding for about 21 days post the surgery. A female should also not use tampons or penetrate anything inside her vagina in the recovery period. Sexual intercourse should be avoided till the hymen heals completely, which generally takes 3 to 4 weeks. Vigorous physical activities should be avoided for about 4 after the surgery. The female can resume normal routine work the next day after surgery, no bed-rest is needed.

Side Effects of Hymenoplasty

Hymenoplasty is a completely safe surgical procedure with no serious side effects. Just like any other surgery, hymenoplasty may have a few complications after the treatment. However, the complications are not severe or long-term and vary from female to female. For some females, it goes completely safe while others may experience minor complications. Such minor complications are normal and can be controlled and treated by the gynecologist.

Common complications after Hymenoplasty include-

• Pain

• Itching in or around the vagina and vulva

• Spotting or abnormal bleeding (not associated to periods)

• Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

• Infection