What Is Hymenoplasty?
Hymenoplasty is the reconstruction of a broken hymen which is done by stitching the two free ends of broken hymen together with dissolvable sutures. The other way is by excising a thin layer of tissue from the tissue wall of the vagina and then placing it over the torn hymen. Gynecologists usually perform this surgery, and the goal is to ensure that after hymen surgery, women bleed after sexual intercourse.
What Are the Conditions That Are Treated With Hymenoplasty?
Hymenoplasty procedure is usually performed due to some religious or cultural beliefs. Still, this procedure helps to treat conditions such as the complicated structure of the hymen, torn or broken hymen, and muscle tightening. It is generally treated for cosmetic purposes, and eligible candidates for hymenoplasty are non-smokers, consensual age, and individuals who are healthy and not suffering any other serious illness.
How Is Hymenoplasty Performed?
The hymenoplasty procedure is usually performed under general or local anesthesia and takes 15-30 minutes. The basic steps to perform hymenoplasty are that the patient is made to lie in a lithotomy position, and heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation should be monitored throughout the procedure. To restore the broken hymen, three main procedures are hymen stitching, hymen reconstruction, and alloplant technique.
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Hymen Stitching: With self-dissolvable hymenoplasty stitches, torn hymen tissues are approximated and joined together. The patient is discharged within a few hours after the procedure if there are no post-complications. As the suture is self-dissolving, patients need not consult the doctor for suture removal.
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Hymen Reconstruction: As there is not enough hymen tissue to be stitched together, the graft is placed in the body, along with remnants of broken hymen, and stitches are placed.
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Alloplant Technique: Grafts that are biochemically synthesized are used in this procedure, and this procedure is chosen if the above two methods fail. Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor chooses the correct method.
What Instructions Need to Be Given Before and During the Procedure?
The patient is properly evaluated and thoroughly assessed for the condition of the patient and planned accordingly. If the patient is under any medication promoting bleeding, it is advised to stop it. The patient should stop smoking before the procedure. With thorough history and examination, doctors should ensure that the patient does not have vaginal cancer or not suffering from sexually transmitted disease. On the day of surgery, anesthesia is administered, and an intravenous line is established to ensure the infusion of saline. To prevent infection, antibiotics are prescribed. After the procedure, the patient may resume work after three to four days. Adequate rest is essential for fast healing and recovery.
What Are the Precautions to Be Taken After Hymenoplasty Surgery?
After hymenoplasty surgery, it is essential to avoid taking showers for two to three days and to follow the doctor's guidelines and recommendations. It is necessary to take medications prescribed by the doctor and this will help avoid side effects and ensure a speedy recovery. Tampons should be avoided; instead, pads should be used. After hymenoplasty for six to eight weeks of surgery, sexual activities should be refrained. In order to avoid any infections, the vaginal area should be hygienically maintained by washing it with mild soap and water. Two to three weeks after surgery, heavy exercises and weight lifting should be avoided. Intake of healthy diet such as fruits and vegetables are necessary.
What Are the Benefits of Hymenoplasty?
The benefits of hymenoplasty are that it is safe as it has minimal side effects, virginity might be indicated as it causes bleeding after hymenoplasty, an effective and cost-effective procedure, recovery is excellent, and patients are discharged the same day and may return to work the next day.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Hymenoplasty?
Hymenoplasty is a safe procedure as the side effects are minimal and rare. The side effects of this procedure are pain, bruising, swelling, scarring, and skin discoloration. Complications of hymenoplasty include bleeding from ruptured blood vessels, pain during sexual intercourse, accumulation of blood between tissues, and infections of the genital tract.
Conclusion
Vaginal openings are usually concealed by the hymen, which is thin and elastic, and during penetrative sex, it ruptures. These ruptures are restored by hymenoplasty procedure, which stretches apart parts of the hymen to develop a new restorative hymen that will create an impression that the hymen is still intact. It helps the females regain their virginity, building confidence in them.
