Hymenoplasty - Know The Procedures Involved In It?

Not many people are aware of the term Hymenoplasty. For some people, an intact hymen has a great significance (often an indication of a female virginity). However, you don't always need an intercourse for the hymen sheath (a thin tissue membrane that surrounds the external opening of the vagina) to break. Activities such as horse riding, gymnastics, swimming, to name a few, can play a pivotal role bringing about the rupture of the hymen.

For long, people believed that a hymen, once ruptured, can never be restored. With the advancement of technology, this fact is slowly getting transformed into a myth. With Hymenoplasty (also called as a Hymen reconstruction surgery) one can achieve the impossible i.e reconstruction of a ruptured hymen surgically. Hymenoplasty also comes as a blessing for women born without a hymen. In this case, a Hymenoplasty aids in creating a new hymen, making life a lot easier for the concerned person.

Procedure involved in a Hymenoplasty

• Before opting for a Hymenoplasty, one should have a proper understanding of the surgical procedure, including the pros and the cons. Thus, a consultation with the surgeon (should be experienced with impressive credentials and success rate) is of prime importance.
• Once you are fully prepared (physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially), the surgeon will fix a date for the surgery.
• Hymenoplasty is a hassle-free procedure that involves the following steps.
  • Before the surgery, a local anesthesia is given to the patient to make the procedure less painful.
  • The ruptured edges of the hymen tissues are then carefully sutured together. The suturing of the hymen is done in such a way that the vaginal opening is not fully covered or concealed.
  • In some cases, a new hymen may also be constructed using the flap of skin present in the vaginal lining.
• The entire procedure of Hymenoplasty seldom takes more than two hours. The patient, however, needs to be thoroughly observed and monitored for the next two-three hours (for signs of any complications or extreme side effects and discomfort).
• The complete healing and recovery may take between six-eight weeks.
• In most of the cases, the patient is discharged on the same day.

The risks associated with Hymenoplasty
There is seldom any extreme complications or risks associated with Hymenoplasty. However, mild pain, swelling, tightening of the vaginal wall, and bleeding are some of the side-effects that may persist for a few days following the surgery.

Precautions one must take 
The following precautionary measures can work wonders, ensuring a better recovery sans any complications.

• Physical activities such as strenuous exercise, swimming, aerobics should be avoided for at least a few weeks or as recommended by the doctor.
• Do not indulge in sex immediately after Hymenoplasty. In most cases, doctors advise four weeks break from sexual intercourse following the hymen restoration surgery.
• Going for Epsom salt baths (sitting on it) at least twice or thrice a week can work wonders, speeding up the healing process.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!