Hymenoplasty: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Cost

The hymen, a thin, pinkish membrane covering the vaginal entrance, is restored by the hymenoplasty surgery. The hymen lies approximately half an inch inside the vagina and is a part of the vulva. The hymen's exact function is unknown. However, the hymen is believed to prevent pathogens, but only until puberty, from entering the vagina. It is usually the first sexual experienece that might rupture the hymen. Strenuous activities such as riding a bicycle, swimming, and gymnastics can also cause hymen tears at any age.Often, using tampons can also lead to hymen ruptures. In some cases, it is even possible for some people to be born without a hymen.

Each woman recovers differently after hymenoplasty surgery. In most cases, the healing process takes between 4 and 6 weeks. Hymens require time to heal, so it is essential to protect them after the hymenoplasty procedure.

It is important for patients to follow some guidelines in order to have a painless and smooth recovery after their hymenoplasty surgery. These dos and don'ts will help you with your after-hymenoplasty surgery care:

Hymenoplasty is a comparatively safe surgical process with zero to very few complications. Although hymenoplasty surgery is typically not a complex surgery, like most surgeries, some complications may occur. These complications vary from person to person. However, you can minimise the risk of such complications with the guidance and care of some of the most experienced surgeons at Pristyn Care.

These complications may be:

• Swelling or inflammation near the area
• For a few days after surgery, there may be spot bleeding
• The stitches may cause itchiness
• Allergic reactions may occur from anasthesia
• One might also experience nausea or vomiting after the hymenoplasty surgery
• Bloodclots may form in the area
• One may experience numbness in the region
• You may notice discoloration of the hymen
• Infections may set in around the area
• In some cases, you may also experience Hematoma

Hymenoplasty may help you become tighter. Through hymenoplasty, these muscles are effectively tightened,resulting in a small, intact space that is easier to stimulate sexually.

Taking rest is essential after hymenoplasty surgery. Although you can walk after hymenoplasty surgery, it is usually recommended to minimize walking, exercising or any kind of heavy work.

Some home remedies that can help you recover faster after hymenoplasty surgery:

• Make sure the area of the perineum is clean by washing it with gentle soap and water. Do not use anything except water to clean the area. In addition, you should avoid cleaning the interiors of your vagina.
• Use a warm compress or ice pack to bring down the swelling and for pain relief
• Avoid movement for two to three days following the surgery to prevent wound disruption. A pause from work and some much-needed rest is recommended.
• The patient is advised to use sanitary wipes after passing urine for two weeks following surgery. The surgical wound should be kept dry and free of moisture to promote faster healing.
• It is generally advised to take a shower only a couple of days after the surgery to minimise the chances of an infection.

There are no particular dietary rules in the case of hymenoplasty. However, eating nutritious and healthy food may enhance the recovery process.

Although there are no strict dietary guidelines for hymenoplasty, it is recommended to avoid eating unhealthy, oily food for a few days. Spicy or pickled food is also not recommended within the first few weeks after the hymenoplasty surgery. In addition.The patient should stay off alcohol and tobacco for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Typically, hymenoplasty is performed by a gynaecologist under local or general anesthesia. Next, to obtain access to the vestibular mucosa, a transverse incision will be made behind the vaginal wall.

The hymen is repaired by reuniting the remaining torn tags. A self-dissolvable suture is used to join the broken hymen tags, which dissolves within 15-21 days after surgery. In the aftermath of the procedure, patients are advised to always clean the area and apply the prescribed ointment frequently. It is important for patients to maintain good hygiene after surgery and to wear loose-fitting clean clothes. Vaginal massage should not be done with irritants or scented products. The hymenoplasty surgery includes three major techniques:

• Hymen Stitching: A basic technique of hymenoplasty surgery is to sew up the broken hymens or sew up the remaining hymens. Sutures generally dissolve after a few days. Therefore, it is not necessary for the patient to return to the clinic for the sutures to be removed. Anaesthesia may be administered to reduce discomfort or pain during the procedure. Approximately 30-40 minutes are needed for the restoration process. Once that has been completed, the patient is allowed to go home. Within a few weeks, the patient can achieve full recovery.
• Hymen Reconstruction: It is still possible to perform a hymenoplasty surgery if there is insufficient tissue to stitch the hymen together. The hymen will be reconstructed with live tissue harvested from your body. Most often, the inner labia are the best-matched tissues. The surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure in just a few hours. After a hymen reconstruction, a patient can resume normal life within 3-4 days. However, sexual intercourse should be avoided for three months afterwards. Following its recovery, it will function like a hymen and may include bleeding and sensations of discomfort when tearing.
• Alloplant technique: If the body lacks tissues that can be used to reconstruct hymens, artificial methods can be employed. Alloplants are biomaterials that have been chemically processed. Often, it is used for transplantations. By inserting an alloplant instead of a hymen, the alloplant technique is applied in hymenoplasty surgery. As with a hymen, a tear-through experience will be provided. This technique is used as the last option, in case no other options work.

Hymenoplasty is a safe, effective, and affordable surgery. Hymenoplasty Surgical costs may range from a minimum of 25000 INR to a maximum of 35000 INR.

Surgery such as hymenoplasty should not be considered permanent. Your repaired hymen will last until it breaks again, usually after engaging in intercourse for the first time after your surgery. Hymens should remain intact for months following your operation unless they break from vigorous activities, vaginal insertion, or other unforeseen reasons, which are rare.

There are a variety of reasons why a woman gets a hymenoplasty surgery, including cultural, religious and health-related reasons. However, there are a few requirements needed to be eligible for hymenoplasty surgery:

• In addition to cosmetic reasons, hymenoplasty is also done for cultural and psychological reasons
• The patient must be over the consentual age
• They must be a non-smoker.
• It is important for the patient to be healthy, and not suffer from any serious illness or conditions like cancer.

Women who want to get hymenoplasty surgery must be in good health. Women below the age of 18 or minors need a guardian or parents’ written consent if they require a hymenoplasty surgery. Women suffering from serious medical conditions like genital cancer or venereal diseases will not be eligible for this surgery.

In order to ensure that the patient does not experience any complications after the hymenoplasty procedure, she is observed for a few hours and will be allowed to return back home on the same day.

While work can be resumed after three or four days, moderately challenging activities should not be started until ten days after the hymenoplasty surgery.

Hymenoplasty can take approximately four to six weeks to heal fully. A full recovery from the surgical procedure will leave no visible scars afterwards. In order to achieve the best results and to ensure complete recovery after hymenoplasty surgery, gynecologists usually recommend the following post-surgery guidelines:

• Be sure to take all prescribed medication on time and finish the course as instructed by your gynecologist.
• You can usually take a shower only 2-3 days after the surgery.You must follow the instructions of your gynecologist when it comes to taking a shower. Make sure your vaginal area is clean by wiping it gently once or twice a day. You shouldn't clean the inside of the vagina until you are fully recovered.
• Rest is important for the first few days following surgery. Do not engage in any activities thatmay exert stress on that area. Taking proper care of the wound during the first few days of recovery will ensure a faster healing process.
• After hymenoplasty, it is important to consume a healthy, nutrient-rich diet to speed up the recovery process. For a few days, stay away from alcohol, smoking, and spicy, oily, or pickled foods.
• Some women develop vaginal yeast infections due to antibiotic therapy subsequent to hymenoplasty surgery.You may experience itching and notice a foul-smelling discharge (consistency of cottage cheese) if you have a vaginal yeast infection or bacterial vaginal infection. Ask your gynecologist about changing your medications or considering other treatments, in case of such symptoms.
• Immediately contact your gynecologist if you experience bleeding, reddish brown discharge, or any other abnormal vaginal discharge. Your gynecologist may suggest a follow-up visit if the problem is found to be severe.
• To ensure a swift and safe recovery, notify the gynecologist immediately, if you experience any complications or side effects.

No severe side effects are associated with hymenoplasty surgery. It is possible for hymenoplasty to cause a few complications, just like any other surgery. Although complications can occur, they are not severe or long-lasting and vary from one woman to another. The hymenoplasty procedure goes perfectly well for some patients; for others, it may cause minor complications. In such cases, the gynecologist can control and treat the complications. Complications are rare when the surgery is performed by experienced surgeons such as teh ones at Pristyn care.

Hymenoplasty generally helps women to tear and bleed on their first sexual intercourse after the surgery. However, hymenoplasty does not always guarantee bleeding during the sexual engagement. The hymen (either original or reconstructed) is extremely elastic, that is why it does not necessarily bleed during the first act of sexual intercourse.

You can consult either a plastic surgeon or a gynecologist.

A gynecologist, as well as a plastic surgeon, can perform a hymenoplasty surgery. In most cases, a gynecologist who specializes in cosmetic or obstetric-gynecological surgery would be the best choice.

With an estimated success rate of 98%, hymenoplasty is an extremely successful procedure. Some patients may not have complete success with the surgery if they fail to follow the precautions or have complications during surgery. Be sure to follow your gynecologist's instructions for the best results.