Hymen Restoration - You Should Know That!

Synonyms

Hymen = hymen
Hymen reconstruction = restoration of the hymen

introduction

A hymen is a thin membrane that is located at the entrance to the vagina and borders it.
During the first sexual intercourse it usually tears in a star shape and causes light bleeding in every second to third woman

In some cultures, virginity still plays an important role until the first wedding night. Thus, with the help of the restoration of the hymen, women who have already had sexual intercourse can simulate a virginity and cultural conflicts can escape.

Read more about the structure of the hymen at: hymen

What are the reasons for a hymen reconstruction?

There are no medical or health reasons for restoring the hymen. The decision to have this procedure performed is mostly made from a cultural perspective.

At the same time - especially in Muslim cultures - women should not have sexual intercourse until marriage.
An intact hymen and the bleeding during the first sexual intercourse prove the virginity.

Women who belong to a culture in which the hymen is viewed as a sign of "purity" are thus faced with a cultural conflict if they have already had sexual intercourse.
Out of desperation and fear, many women therefore opt for an operative restoration of the hymen in order to anatomically become a virgin again - despite the sexual intercourse that has already taken place.

Do you have to prepare for the procedure?

You do not need to prepare specifically for the hymen reconstruction - except for the shaving of the genital area.
You shouldn't have your period at the time of the procedure.
If you are taking blood-thinning medication, you should discuss with your doctor beforehand how you can stop taking them.

Procedure of the operation

Local anesthesia is usually sufficient to perform the procedure. However, if you want something else, the whole thing can also take place in twilight sleep.

First of all, the vagina is disinfected. The surgeon then displays the torn hymen. It is usually torn in a star shape.
The remnants of the remaining hymen are sewn together with self-dissolving threads during the operation. To do this, it may be necessary to first smooth the remains with a laser scalpel.
After sewing together a ring-shaped opening is created, which represents an intact hymen.

Since the restoration of the hymen can also be carried out under general anesthesia if desired, we recommend our website: General anesthesia - procedure, risks and side effects

How painful is the procedure?

The procedure takes place under local anesthesia or, if desired, in twilight sleep.
Pain during the procedure is therefore not perceived. Even after the procedure, patients hardly feel any pain and can usually go about their daily routine on the same day. Since the sutures used do not have to be pulled as part of the hymen reconstruction, the procedure is generally very painless.

Are there any risks or long-term side effects?

Hymen reconstruction is very low-risk and has hardly any long-term side effects.
Since the hymen is very well supplied with blood, scars in this area heal very quickly.

However, as in any other operation, general risks can arise. There may be bleeding or inflammation in the genital area. In addition, in rare cases sensory disorders in the genital area can occur. After about three to six weeks there should usually be no more symptoms, as the hymen should have fully recovered.

For women contemplating hymen reconstruction, it is very important to understand that recovery does not guarantee bleeding on first intercourse. The operation only increases the likelihood of bleeding because the tissue in the hymen's skin, which is well supplied with blood, is sewn back together.

Is it possible to distinguish the restored hymen from the intact hymen?

The hymen is a well-supplied skin that surrounds the vaginal entrance. The shape of this ring is very diverse in its natural way.
Since the hymen is also very well supplied with blood, scars in this area heal quickly and are hardly noticeable. Even an experienced gynecologist cannot distinguish the restored hymen from the intact one.

If you would like more information about the hymen, we recommend our page: Everything about hymen

Does the restored hymen bleed when ruptured?

It is a myth that the hymen always causes light bleeding during the first sexual intercourse. Only every second to third woman has bleeding.
It is the same with a hymen reconstruction: the chance of bleeding is significantly increased by the restoration, but there is no guarantee that the bleeding will occur.

If you are more concerned with faking bleeding as a sign of "virginity", you can consider alternatives such as artificial hymen with blood implants.

For more information, we recommend our website to: The hymen - what can cause it to tear?

Can the hymen reconstruction be carried out several times?

A hymen reconstruction can be carried out several times.
However, this is not recommended. Because with every intervention, the remnants of the hymen that have remained shrink, so that they may no longer be sufficient for a recovery.
In such a case, the surgeon uses the tissue of the posterior vaginal wall and thus models a new ring that is supposed to represent the hymen.
This ring cannot be distinguished from the real hymen, even by experienced gynecologists.

Is that possible on an outpatient basis?

The restoration of the hymen is carried out on an outpatient basis. So you don't have to stay in the hospital, you can go home the same day.
The day after the operation, it is necessary that you return to the practice or hospital for the wound inspection and the dressing change. Downtime at work is not necessary.

How long does a hymen reconstruction take?

The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
If the remains of the remaining hymen are insufficient for a reconstruction, it can take longer - up to an hour or so. In such a case, the surgeon uses the tissue from the posterior vaginal wall and thus models a new hymen.

You can find more information on our website: Hymen reconstruction

What are the costs of a hymen reconstruction?

The cost of a hymen reconstruction varies from 750 to 3000 euros.
The price depends, among other things, on the clinic or practice in which the procedure is carried out. There are always doctors who want to benefit from the culturally shaped fears of the women concerned and who set an arbitrary price.
Another aspect is the type of anesthesia. With general anesthesia, patients usually pay more than with local anesthesia.
Another component is the effort involved in the operation. If there are not enough remains of the star-shaped torn hymen, the hymen must be remodeled. That is more expensive than a simple reconstruction.

In general, the health insurance company does not cover the costs of hymen reconstruction.

Can you do that without surgery?

Since hymen reconstruction is all about simulating virginity, there are alternatives that trigger bleeding during sexual intercourse and thus “prove” the woman's virginity in the cultural sense.

These are artificial hymen with blood implants. These are inserted into the vagina before intercourse and cause light bleeding. However, the bleeding triggered here is regulated by body temperature. It is therefore possible that bleeding has already started without sexual intercourse actually taking place.