Hymenoplasty

INDICATIONS

Hymenoplasty is usually a simple out-patient procedure that can be done in our clinic under local
anesthesia. Any torn skin around the edges of the hymen is gently and neatly cut away, after which
the remaining tissue is stitched together, leaving a small opening. This restores the hymenal ring to a normal size and shape.
If there is not enough skin to restore the hymen, or if a hymen is nonexistent, the surgeon may
create one, using either some of the body’s own thin vaginal skin (vaginal mucosa) or a synthetic
tissue. A small blood supply may be added, either artificial or the patient’s own taken from a piece of vaginal flap, thus simulating the traditional bleeding upon subsequent penetration.

PROCEDURE

The hymen is a membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening. The shape and appearance of
the hymen will vary between women but is typically a half moon shape at the bottom of the vaginal
opening. A hymen can be broken or torn at different times during a woman’s life, whether caused by
tampon insertion, exercise, or sexual intercourse. Minor bleeding is commonly associated with the
breaking of the hymen. In some cultures and religions, an intact hymen is associated with a woman’s virginity. A hymenoplasty, sometimes referred to as hymenorrhaphy or hymen construction surgery, is usually performed for cultural or religious reasons prior to marriage. Others seek the surgery as a form of therapy after sexual assault. No matter the reason for having the hymen restored, the surgery can be completed in less than an hour under local anesthesia with immediately visible results.

During surgery, the patient will only require a local anesthesia but may be given a sedative for
comfort throughout the procedure. The patient will lay comfortably on a table with the pegs spread
apart. The hymen will be identified and partially excised to eliminate uneven tissue from previous
tearing. The hymen will be sutured together in two layers using dissolvable stitches. For some
women, a small piece of tissue from another part of the vagina may need to be grafted to the
vaginal opening to recreate the hymen.

FAQ
Q1 Is there surgery to restore virginity? Is there surgery to restore virginity?
A1 Hymenorrhaphy or hymen reconstruction surgery is the temporary surgical restoration of
the hymen.

Q2 How is hymenoplasty performed?
A2 The most common technique consists in stitching the hymen from the torn edges and
closing it. The surgery in performed on 2 layers in order to reconstruct firmly and durably the
hymen. The stitches are done with very fine material and resorb by themselves in about 15
days. Healing takes about one month.

Q3 Can hymenoplasty be permanent?
A3 Hymen repair with flap operation
Flap operation of hymen is for permanent purpose. In this case, triangle-shaped flap tissue
on posterior wall of vagina is hanged on anterior or side walls. The aim in hymenal flap
operations is to provide bleeding ‘imitating the first night’ rather than repair of hymen.