Hymenoplasty also known as hymen reconstruction surgery, is understandably a very delicate topic. This operation is a procedure in which any tears or breaks are repaired and the hymen is restored to its original unbroken state.* Also known as Hymenorrhaphy, this “revirginization” is often widely sought after, especially just prior to marriage.The hymen is a thin membrane which is stretched across the lower half of the vaginal opening. The upper half is open, in order to permit the passing of menstrual blood.
The intact hymen lies on the outer side of the vagina, about 2 cm from the labia (lips of the vagina). The size and shape of the intact hymen varies from person to person. The normal shape is that of a half moon. Rarely, some women are born without a hymen, while others have a hymen that covers the entire vaginal opening, known as an imperforate hymen. In this case, a doctor would be required to perform a hymenotomy to avoid complications during puberty and menstruation.
The hymen may be ruptured for many reasons, apart from sexual intercourse. It is a delicate membrane which can be easily torn, during vigorous sports, horseback riding, and even strenuous bicycling. As it contains blood vessels and nerves, the tearing of the hymen causes pain and bleeding. It is this bleeding which is generally considered to be proof of a girl’s virginity on her wedding night. Therefore, hymen restoration surgery is most often performed in those cultures where a high value is placed on virginity at the time of marriage.
Hymenoplasty can also be undertaken for a vast variety of reasons, which may be cultural, social and / or religious. Normally, the main aim is to cause visible bleeding during post-marital intercourse, which in many cultures, including that of India, is considered a proof of virginity. In many cases and cultures, virginity repair surgery* is a matter of the girl’s personal reputation and in many cases, the reputation and “honour” of her family also.
During this procedure, the woman’s hymen is will be carefully re-sewn surgically, and any tears repaired. The virginity regained in this manner is indistinguishable from the original.*
Alternatively a thin membrane may be fashioned from the vaginal wall itself to replace the damaged hymen. This membrane will break and bleed on the wedding night, thus offering proof that the girl is a virgin.
Usually the entire procedure will only take from twenty minutes to an hour, and is performed as an out-patient procedure. It is safe and simple and there are very rarely any complications.
Hymenoplasty surgery cost in Mumbai will vary from doctor to doctor and clinic to clinic. Naturally you can expect to pay a little more for a well qualified and reputed doctor. However, one should remember that in India, as in many cultures, hymenoplasty cost is a small price to pay for restoration of virginity, which can be all important for the reputation of the girl as well as the family and even, in some cases, the community.
Details
Hymenoplasty is an operation that is often performed just before marriage, in order to restore the girl’s virginity. Here are the details that will help you to decide whether this “Virginity Repair Surgery” is the correct option for you.
The hymen may tear for a number of reasons, e.g. during horseback riding, while playing vigorous sports, and even during strenuous bicycling. The most common reason, however, is sexual intercourse.
For this reason, in many cultures worldwide, and also in India, an intact hymen is a sign of the virginity, and thus the virtue, of the bride. Even in these modern times of sexual freedom, for girls as well as boys, the girl is supposed to be a virgin and post-marital bleeding is supposed to be the proof of her virtue. A girl who is not a virgin may bring shame and dishonor upon not only herself, but also on her family and even her entire community.
For this reason, many girls turn to hymenoplasty to restore their virginal status, so that the bridegroom is not aware that they are not virgins.
How It Works?
In both these procedures, the doctor will suture the hymen tags or remaining flaps, with tiny stitches that are completely invisible. They are also self-dissolving so that there will be no need for a repeat visit to the doctor. The tears in the hymen will be repaired and the hymen reconstructed, to give a completely natural look and feel to the vaginal opening. Both the procedures are generally carried out under local anesthesia and you are free to return home the same day.
On the day of the surgery there will be some amount of swelling and bruising of the vulva and the vaginal area, but this should disappear within a few days. After the procedure, most people need only non-prescription pain relievers.
You can resume day to day activities in 2 or 3 days, although you must avoid violent movements or exercise. It is extremely important to maintain good personal hygiene so that the area does not get infected.
Hymenoplasty offers a very high level of satisfaction to those who undergo this procedure. This is one of the few cosmetic surgeries that can literally be life changing. In many cases it can mean the difference between an unhappy marriage and a happy fulfilled married life!
Treatment Details
Hymenoplasty basically involves the repair and reconstruction of the hymen, thus restoring it to its original condition. There are two main types of procedures
Hymenorrhaphy is a more temporary procedure. It can be carried out up to 5 to 7 days before the marriage. Here, the hymen is surgically repaired by suturing (stitching together) the tags, or remnants, of the hymen, using invisible stitches. The procedure lasts for less than an hour, and is performed as an outpatient procedure. Upon sexual penetration, the repaired hymen again tears, and there will be some bleeding, to offer proof of the bride’s virginity. The stitches, too, will dissolve in a few days.
Hymenoplasty is a more delicate and detailed version of hymen reconstruction surgery. In this procedure the remaining flaps (tags) of the ruptured hymen are reconnected using micro-surgical techniques known as layered hymenoplasty, and invisible stitches. The healing time should be about six weeks for perfect results. The procedure will result in a reconstructed hymen that is similar in all respects to the original.
FAQs
Many people turn to hymenoplasty to help them at a crucial time in their lives, as it is extremely important to them, for cultural, social or moral reasons, that the hymen be intact prior to marriage. This simple procedure can sometimes be the first step towards a happy and stress-free married life. Here are the answers to many of the questions that you may have about it.
What Exactly Is hymenoplasty?
This procedure basically involves surgical reconstruction of the hymen, which ensures virginity regained, usually just prior to marriage. The procedure is usually carried out to ensure that you will be considered to be a virgin, even if your hymen has earlier been torn, whether through sexual intercourse or for any other reason such as vigorous sports, strenuous bicycling, insertion of tampons, or any other cause.
Am I a good candidate for hymenoplasty?
Almost everyone is a good candidate, as this is a safe and simple procedure. You just need to be healthy enough to for general anesthesia, if required.
What Does hymenoplastyinvolve?
This operation involves the delicate suturing, involving the internal layers, of any remaining “tags” or remnants of the torn hymen. In case there are no tags remaining, the surgeon can create a hymen from the membranes of the vaginal walls. This will then appear as an intact hymen. There will be bleeding at the time of penetration, i.e. at post-nuptial intercourse, thus offering “proof” of virginity.
What other hymenoplastyprocedures are available to me?
You can also opt for Hymenorrhaphy, which is a simpler procedure in which the tags are repaired and the vaginal entrance is sutured in a more temporary manner. This will last until penetration at the time of post-nuptial intercourse. In this type of virginity repair surgeryalso; post-marital intercourse will result in bleeding, which is the primary aim of the procedure.
How long will the surgery last?
The procedure should last from half an hour to an hour and is normally carried out as an out-patient procedure.
What is the best time to go in for hymenoplasty?
It is best to do a hymen restorationabout 5 to 6 weeks before the planned intercourse, i.e. at the time of the marriage. This gives the area time to heal properly and appear completely natural. However, it is also possible to carry out a hymenorrhaphy just a week or ten days before marriage. In this case the reconstructed hymen will tear again upon sexual penetration. There will be some bleeding, to offer proof of the bride’s virginity.
Will the scars or stitches be visible later?
No, invisible and self-dissolving stitches are used so that there will be no visible signs that any procedure has been performed.
Can anyone tell that the hymen has been reconstructed?
A normal person cannot see the difference between a naturally ”intact” hymen and a reconstructed one. But, a good gynecologist or plastic surgeon will be able to tell the difference.
Does the procedurehurt?
As with all surgeries, there will be some pain and discomfort. But this can be controlled with regular pain killers and a short period of rest.
Are there any risks involved in this surgery?
As is the case with any surgical operation, hymen reconstruction surgerymay sometimes cause infection. Good after-care of the area, and good personal hygiene after the surgery, can greatly reduce these risks. If you follow the doctor’s instructions carefully, the risks of any complications are minimal.
How much will the hymenoplasty cost?
The cost will vary according to the doctor and clinic that you visit. Hymenoplasty surgery cost in Mumbai, too, will depend upon the skill and reputation of your doctor and the facilities offered by the clinic that you choose. Remember that it always better to pay a little more so that you get the best treatment possible!
Precaution
By following a few simple precautions you can ensure that your hymen reconstruction surgery is successful.
Your surgeon will discuss your expectations from this procedure, and recommend the appropriate procedure for you, i.e. either hymenoplasty or hymenorrhaphy. The risks related to virginity repair surgery are very low. If indeed there are any problems, they are usually temporary and will resolve on their own in a little while.
General Contraindications
You may not be a good candidate for hymenoplasty if you are suffering from certain conditions like hypertension. Your general physician will certify that you are fit for the operation, especially in case general anesthesia is to be employed.
You should not go in for this procedure right before the wedding day – allow at least a week to ten days for the tissues to heal. If possible, the procedure should be carried out
about 4 to 6 weeks prior to the wedding.
Virginity regained
in this operation is identical to the original.
Pre Surgery Precautions:-
Your doctor should discuss the forehead lift procedure with you and explain the precautions that you need to take before the surgery.
Before the procedure, your doctor may ask you to
- Stop taking any blood thinners that may cause excessive bleeding.
- Stop smoking, if you are a smoker, for a few weeks before and after the procedure.
- Take an oral antibiotic as a precautionary measure.
- YOn the morning of your surgery, you need to take any essential medications that you normally require, e.g. for hypertension, with just a small sip of water.
- Remove all hair in the pubic area.
- Ensure that someone is with you to take you home, and to take care of you for the first several hours after you are discharged after the surgery.
You should study the doctor’s instructions carefully and be sure that you follow his directions.
Post Surgery Precautions:-
- After your Hymen Restoration procedure, the doctor will apply a topical antibiotic ointment and the area will be covered with a special dressing. The doctor will probably prescribe a pain killer for you also. You may be called for a check-up after a few days.
- Complete bed rest is not required, but avoid any hard physical work, and do not lift any heavy objects.
- You will be able to walk normally right away, but be sure to avoid any vigorous activity, and even climbing stairs, for a few days.
- You should also avoid active sports, to prevent any accident or injury to the reconstructed area.
- Maintain absolute hygiene and cleanliness in the area. It is strongly suggested that you shower every day, after the second day. Wash gently with warm water and a mild soap.
- Do not pull the lips of the vulva apart when washing, or while applying any topical medication.
- Remember that the area will be sore, and may feel irritated and itchy for a few days, or even longer. Some swelling of the vulva is normal and should disappear gradually. But, if the pain and discomfort seem to be increasing after the healing process has started, or if there is any foul-smelling discharge, contact your doctor right away, as there could be an infection in the area.
- You can have sexual intercourse after a few days, in the case of hymenorrhaphy.
- After a hymenoplasty, it is better to abstain from sexual activity until the area has completely, i.e. at least four weeks and preferably six weeks.
Possible Complications of Rhinoplasty
Hymenoplastyusually has negligible side effects. It is a simple procedure and very safe when carried out by an experienced and knowledgeable surgeon
Some of the common side effects may include
- Swelling of the vulva, which normally subsides in one to two weeks
- Redness of the vulva, which usually fades within 3 to 5 weeks,
- Infection, which is not common, but which may appear if proper hygienic practices are not followed.
In general, hymenoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which gives lasting and almost instant satisfaction. It is one of the very rare cosmetic operations which can be said to literally change your life!
Consulting
- Before doing any treatment please consult your doctor to confirm if the treatment is the right one for you