The hymen is a thin, delicate membranous tissue enclosing the vaginal area. The hymen ruptures after sex or vigorous activities like gymnastics, insertion of tampons, or pap smears. Many girls want to restore their broken hymen for personal, religious, or cultural reasons. Some women undergo hymenoplasty to re-establish the intactness of a torn hymen. Either the doctor can stitch back the torn hymen tissue or reconstruct the entire hymen using the tissue of the vagina. Hymenoplasty is also called hymen repair, hymen reconstruction, or hymenorrhaphy.

Who qualifies for hymenoplasty?

Candidates best suitable to undergo hymenoplasty are:

• Having good health without any infection
• No cancerous tissues in the vagina or cervix
• Above the age of 18 years

Various procedures of hymenoplasty

Depending upon the requirement and the condition of the hymen, there are several options for hymenoplasty:

1. Basic techniques: The local anesthesiologist administers general anaesthesia to numb the hymen before the surgery. It is an outpatient surgery and takes around 30-40 minutes.
2. Hymen reconstruction: This surgical procedure includes the reconstruction of the hymen with the help of tissues removed from the lip of the vagina. After this procedure, you must abstain from sex for a minimum of three months.
3. All plant technique: This surgical procedure includes the insertion of a biomaterial into the vagina. This biomaterial is a tear-through material acting as the hymen. This surgery is performed when it is not possible to stitch the hymen back together.

Precautions to follow for hymenoplasty

Hymenoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure. You can return home a couple of hours after the surgery.

• Pre-surgery

You must avoid consumption of anti-inflammatory medications or anticoagulants from two weeks before hymenoplasty. The surgery is performed under a local anaesthetic. The surgeon stitches the remnants of the broken hymen. Stitches will dissolve on their own.

• Surgery

All the above-mentioned surgical repairs are performed by a plastic surgeon. The surgical procedure is short, lasting for about half an hour.

• Post-surgery

The hymen heals around 15-20 days after the surgery, once the stitches dissolve. The scar goes away after a couple of months. The scars are hidden in the folds of the hymen. The patient must not work for at least 2 days post-surgery.

Take a bath after 2-3 days of the surgery. Also, refrain from sex for at least two months after hymenoplasty. The use of ice packs will ease the pain and reduce swelling.

Benefits of hymenoplasty

There are various benefits associated with hymenoplasty:

• Restores the intactness of the hymen
• Lessens the pain and trauma of sexual assault victims
• Rejuvenation of hymen gives a sense of youth to some women

Risks or Complications

Although hymenoplasty is a safe procedure, there are a few associated risks and complications:

• Increased rate of bleeding
• Pain during sex
• Scars
• Vaginal infection
• Deformity
• Discolouration
• Numbness and swelling post-surgery

Follow-up after hymenoplasty

The procedure doesn't simply end with the surgery. Women must have a follow-up regularly to avoid complications later. The doctor will provide you with medications like antibiotics (to prevent infection) and painkillers.

Conclusion

Hymenoplasty is a short and painless procedure for women who want to restore a broken hymen. However, the first sexual encounter or other strenuous physical activity after the procedure breaks the hymen again.

If you have any queries about the procedure, consult a doctor to get professional medical advice.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment