Hymenoplasty: short and long term

It happens that for one reason or another (religious, moral, etc.) a woman needs restoration of the hymen. This operation is called hymenoplasty. 

According to English dictionaries, the term "virgin" means "a person who has never had sexual intercourse." Virginity is a term that refers to something pure, untouched and undiscovered. The term hymen comes from the Greek God of marriage and Hymen. According to public standards, the rupture of the hymen during intercourse is an indicator that a woman has never engaged in sexual activity and is called a virgin. In many cultures around the world, an unmarried woman who is not a virgin is subject to shame and ostracism. In such societies, women are often imprisoned or executed (killed for honor) for premarital sex. [1]

The integrity of the hymen is checked either by physical examination before marriage, or confirmed by the occurrence of vaginal bleeding caused by rupture of the hymen during the first authorized intercourse. In some cultures, where displaying evidence of bride virginity is common, a nuptial bloody sheet should be displayed as evidence.

The term "hymenorrhagia" or "hymenoplasty" is used for the surgical restoration of hymen. [2] In the modern era, in addition to traditional requirements, women have various reasons for restoring their so-called “virginity”. [3] Despite the fact that this is a controversial issue in many countries of the world, hymen reconstruction is currently becoming a popular trend.

Hymenoplasty, commonly referred to as “revirginization,” is a controversial procedure that pushes the scope of medical practice to satisfy a cultural and / or religious “need”. [4] Widely regarded as a sign of chastity and purity for unmarried girls, failure to prove virginity on a wedding night can have serious consequences for the girl. In this context, there has been a recent increase in the frequency of hymen restoration operations due to an increase in the number of girls who have premarital sex. [5]

Hymenoplasty should not be confused with female genital mutilation - formerly known as female genital mutilation . Unlike circumcision, hymenoplasty is performed for women who have reached marriageable age and who voluntarily undergo surgery, therefore the medical, ethical and human rights arguments against FGM do not apply to its re-use, as this is another cosmetic operation, such as mammoplasty, etc.. [6]

It was first made more than 60 years ago by an Italian gynecologist and since then, despite the fact that most men are far from strict morals in this regard, tens of thousands of European girls have resorted to this procedure.

The hymen, despite its etymological derivative, is the remnant of the Mueller duct, which has a variable shape. Appearance can and will change depending on hormonal changes and age; hymen can become thin, and in some cases almost transparent.

The hymen is the tissue that closes the external vaginal opening; it bursts during penetrative sex. In addition to penetrating sex, the hymen can tear during classes such as gymnastics, horse riding, cycling or wearing a tampon. The absence of the hymen is associated with vaginal agenesis, [7] while the complete absence of the hymen is practically absent. [8]

Indications for the procedure

The only indication for the restoration of virginity is the patient's own desire to hide her previous sexual experience. Sometimes violent actions that lead to a loss of innocence, a desire for new sensations, trauma, and genital surgery are pushing for surgery.

Preparation

Having decided on the operation, an examination by a gynecologist will be required, as well as a consultation with a therapist. A gynecological smear on the flora is mandatory, blood tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C. The therapist will direct for radiography, an electrocardiogram. The decision is made based on the results.

Technique of the hymenoplasty

There are several types of hymenoplasty:

• short-term - refloration, retains the result for 1-2 weeks;
• long-term or three-layer - a full hymen forms, indistinguishable from a real hymen even by a specialist.

The operation is carried out 4-5 days before the onset of menstruation. Its progress depends on the chosen type of hymenoplasty. Short-term is carried out if necessary to obtain a quick result (1-2 weeks). From his own damaged hymen, the surgeon forms a new one by stitching with the help of absorbable suture material. Short-term hymenoplasty can be carried out no more than 2 times, because the remains of the hymen become thinner over time.

Long-term hymenoplasty is more complex according to the technique and performs the task of preserving virginity for a longer time. These include three-layer hymenoplasty and consists in using the remains of the hymen, the formation of new tissues from the vaginal mucosa (3 layers) (STSI method), moving and suturing them in front of it. The process of restoration of the hymen takes a month, after which it cannot be distinguished from the natural. [9]

Both operations can be performed both under local anesthesia and general, but the second is more expensive.

Laser Hymenoplasty

The most modern of the existing methods of hymenoplasty is laser. It is more accurate, less traumatic, reduces the risk of damage to blood vessels and blood loss. Its important advantage is that the "welding" of tissues occurs using a laser and does not require seams, which reduces the recovery time. Fractional lasers based on carbon dioxide (CO 2) emit light with a wavelength of 10 600 nm. The penetration depth depends on the water content in the tissues, regardless of melanin and hemoglobin. Stimulates and promotes the regeneration of collagen fibers and restores the hydration and elasticity of the vaginal mucosa. [10]

Contraindications to the procedure

Since anesthesia is used during the operation, serious health problems, including those related to blood coagulation and mental disorders, can be contraindications to its implementation.

Consequences after the procedure

Like any surgical intervention, hymenoplasty will deliver unpleasant pain for several days, possibly a little bleeding. At first, numbness in the area of the intervention (from anesthesia) can be felt, minor hematomas form. Sexual contact after surgery will be as painful as the first time.

Complications after the procedure

The absence of contraindications, the professionalism of the gynecologist-surgeon will protect against possible complications, its incorrect actions can lead to:

• strong fusion of the entrance to the vagina, which will cause difficulties during intercourse;
• bleeding due to injury to the penis of a large blood vessel;
• the impossibility of the outflow of menstrual blood if a hole is not left.

Care after the procedure

Recovery after surgery will require compliance with certain rehabilitation and care rules. These include:

• a ban on taking a bath and visiting the sauna;
• not using tampons until the first sexual intimacy, which is possible no earlier than 2 weeks after the procedure;
• proper observance of intimate hygiene;
• for the first few days only stick to a standing or sitting position;
• Exclusion of physical activity;
• use of douching with prescribed drugs.

Reviews

According to women, the restoration of the hymen led them to harmonize their inner world, because they instilled confidence in their partner in their integrity, their relationship did not suffer, but only strengthened. Physically, the man received sensations quite natural for the first sexual intercourse. The orgasm after hymenoplasty did not disappear.