What is the Hymen?
Hymen: It is a membrane about 1.5-2 cm deep and 1-2 millimeters thick at the entrance to the vagina. The structure of the hymen differs from person to person. The hymen is actually a thin skin fold. Some women may not have a congenital hymen. The difference in the hymen from person to person also varies in the amount of bleeding after the first intercourse. The hymen does not completely close the vaginal entrance. There is an opening in the middle that throws out menstrual bleeding and vaginal secretions. In virgin girls, the most rounded ring type hymen is present, but there are also septal and half-moon shapes.
Hymen Examination: The hymen examination is a painless and painless procedure. It is very important that the patient is comfortable during the examination, it takes an average of 1 minute. The patient is placed on the gynecological table, the outer lips are pulled slightly, no instruments are used during the examination, so the hymen is not damaged; visual examination is done. The doctor performing the examination reveals the shape of the membrane, whether it is flexible, whether there is any damage to the membrane, and if there is a tear in the membrane, on which side the tear is present and informs the patient by drawing it on paper.
Who Mostly Apply for Hymen Examination?
Hymenoplasty (Hymen Stitching):
Hymenoplasty, also called hymen repair, is a short-term surgical procedure that is frequently performed by obstetricians and is included in genital procedures. In other words, this procedure is the process of restoring the hymen after the hymen is damaged and torn, in line with the patient’s request and approval. The repair of the hymen usually results in the person regaining self-confidence and having a happier mood.
The main purpose of repairing the hymen is to cause re-bleeding inside the vagina during the first intercourse. In hymen repair, it does not matter how many times the person has had intercourse before or whether he has given birth or not. Hymen repair is done in two ways: permanent and temporary hymen repair. The bleeding that occurs during the first intercourse in a person whose hymen is transplanted is the same as the bleeding in a virgin girl.
We determine whether the hymen repair is permanent or temporary, according to the patient’s needs, time, and especially the date of intercourse. If there is a short time such as 2-10 days before the wedding of the person, we plan a permanent hymen surgery if it is temporary, but when the patient is not sure when he will have intercourse for the first time, and after an average of 1-2 months. The operation takes an average of 15-30 minutes. After the operation, the patient does not need to stay in the clinic and can return home. The procedure and all applications remain confidential between the doctor and the patient.
Hymen Repair
Permanent Hymen Repair: Permanent hymen repair is also called the “flap” method. No time limit is set in this method. When the procedure is done properly, the hymen remains intact until the first intercourse.
Flap Method: This method is very successful if there is no hymen tissue left in the people who apply to us, and if they have a long-term relationship and want to have their hymen replanted and repaired. In the flap method, the part (flap) on the anterior wall of the vagina is removed. The flaps are permanently sutured to the side walls of the vagina with suitable suture materials. In this way, a hymen is formed again. When performed by an experienced person with the right technique, there is no deterioration or infection in the flaps (we usually lift 3-4 flaps and sew crosswise).
With the flap method, the entrance to the vagina is narrowed and a bleeding equivalent to the rupture of the hymen occurs when the flaps that are stitched on the side walls of the vagina are punctured during intercourse. In the flap method, vaginal tightening is also performed if requested by the patient and if the patient is suitable. The flap method should be done 5-6 weeks before sexual intercourse. During the recovery period, intercourse should never be made and the doctor’s recommendations should be followed.
Hymenoplasty by Microsurgical Method: In addition to the flap method, another method we apply in the permanent hymen is the repair of the hymen with microsurgery. For the appropriate patient, the edges of the ruptured membrane are gently cut, a new wound is created, and the wound edges are approached and sutured without creating tension with quality sutures that are mutually absorbed 3 times. With this method, even if the patient is examined after 1 month, no difference is observed from the natural hymen.
Temporary Hymen Repair
Temporary Hymen Repair (Hymenoplasty): In this method, if the person will have sexual intercourse in a short period of 3 to 10 days, temporary hymen repair is performed. This process takes 10 to 15 minutes and the patient can go home 1 hour after the procedure. The procedure is usually performed with local anesthesia, general anesthesia can also be applied according to the patient’s request. Success rate is 100% if the process is done properly. This procedure is performed with very thin dissolving hidden sutures placed behind the remaining hymen tissue. The main issue here is the secrecy of the seams. If these procedures are performed by a physician who does not have experience in this area and the confidentiality of the stitches are not considered, the stitches are noticed by the partner during intercourse, and this is an unpleasant result.
Considerations After Permanent Hymen Repair
For wound healing, it is necessary not to use alcohol and cigarettes for 1-2 weeks, and the suture area should be kept dry after the operation, using only pads and never tampons.
There may be less bleeding for 2-3 days after the procedure, these are normal. At the same time, there may be a yellowish discharge after a certain period of time, but if this discharge lasts for a long time and disturbs the patient, it is useful to go for control.
Since new vascularization will begin within 15 days of the hymen procedure, the surgical wound only heals. After this week, you can speed up your activities. Sometimes itching and fungal infection symptoms may occur after the use of antibiotics. In this case, inform the physician.
Recovery may take up to 5-7 weeks as the threads gradually dissolve after permanent hymen repair. There may be little irritation in these patients and this should not be a problem. Additional medications can be used if needed.
What is our approach to a patient who applies to our clinic and wants to have a hymen repaired?
Every transaction is kept confidential between the doctor and the patient. It is never known to a third party.
First of all, we examine the patient who applied to us for hymen repair, we reveal whether there is a real tear and on which walls there is a tear. At the same time, if there is flexibility in the membrane, we inform the patient about it. If necessary, we write down the examination findings and give them to the patient. Because these membranes may not rupture even at birth. We do not find this operation appropriate for patients with flexible membranes. If there is a real tear, then we plan a temporary or permanent membrane operation.
If the hymen is really torn and the patient is considering a hymen repair operation, if there is serious vaginal enlargement, we can also perform laser or surgical narrowing in the same session. After sharing this with the patient, we make a joint decision. Apart from this, we can also add Labiaplasty or Genital Bleaching, Sexual pleasure enhancing treatments to the patient.
Before the patient starts the operation, we learn the history of the patient and measure his vital signs. If he used drugs in the past, we reveal which ones he used, and if he is going to get anesthesia, we reveal whether he is allergic to anesthesia.
We perform the operation under sterile conditions and with sterile materials. After the operation, we monitor the patient for 2-3 hours. If there are problems related to anesthesia, we eliminate them with