Hymenoplasty Surgery

When the broken hymen is restored through surgery, it is known as hymenoplasty or hymnography. This cosmetic repair of the hymen is also known as revirginization. You should not be frightened about the surgery but the doctors provide local anesthesia which would take care of your pain. To know more about the procedure, first, you need to know the details about the hymen.

What is a hymen?

The hymen is a tissue found in the vagina which covers the vaginal opening. Its formation begins when the female baby is in the womb, generally when the carrier is in the fourth month of her pregnancy. A hymen may tear or break apart. But the damage caused might not be permanent. There are certain ways to treat the damage.

Why is hymenoplasty done?

This surgery might not be an essential part as it is just a cosmetic fix. But there may be a few serious problems leading you to undergo this treatment. The reasons may be varied, ranging from physical to psychological. Below are some points discussed regarding this.

• Blocked Hymen – this might turn out to be a serious problem as the membrane is blocked. This in turn blocks the blood flow which would create problems in the menstrual flow. A small hole is created in hymen to ease the flow.

• Hymen with a complicated structure – this is commonly known as the septate hymen. In such cases, the hymenal tissue forms a complicated structure by splitting into rope-like formations. The hymen might become really thick due to this. To avoid any problem because of the thickness, a hymectomy is performed.

• To cure accidental ruptures – often the hymen may get damaged unintentionally. If you think that it is unacceptable, then you can choose hymenoplasty for the restoration of the hymen.

• Muscle tightening – there may occur flaccidity in the vaginal muscles after childbirth or with age. This can be cured by hymenoplasty.

Who is the ideal candidate?

There may be sexual or non-sexual reasons. You may be the ideal candidate for the surgery if you do not have the hymen tissue or want to replace it. Some unmarried women want to show that their hymen has been intact and if they see otherwise, they opt for the surgery. Usually, women who have already become pregnant once opt for this treatment for muscle tightening. Or, girls who have suffered unwanted tears choose to cure it.

Hymenoplasty procedure

This is a simple procedure, done with local anesthesia. In it, the particular tissue is stitched in such a way that there remains a small opening only. The excess skin or tissues are cut neatly and gently. It might happen that there is not enough skin or the hymen is none -existent. Then the doctor uses some of the vaginal skin or any synthetic tissue to create one. In such cases, the doctor arranges for the blood supply through your vaginal flap or artificially.

Preparing for hymen repair

This may sound scary to you but you should not fear it. This is one of the safest and easiest procedures. You should feel free to discuss it with your doctor so that both of you can understand the requirements. You should visit clinics that treat you with compassion and kindness. The most important thing is that you should have faith in your doctor and be comfortable. If you prefer female doctors and nurses for such treatment then choose the same.

New surgical technique for hymenoplasty

If you are undergoing surgical treatment to experience the pain of your first sexual intercourse then there is a new method. It is known as “superhymenoplasty”. In it, a super-hymen is created artificially so that there is more bleeding after the immediate sexual act. It also requires general anesthesia but the doctor creates two layers in the vagina. The procedure involves the insertion of torn pieces of the hymen below the urethral orifice. This may cause some minor pain but the process ensures success. After the surgery, the doctors advise you to clean the area with warm water and apply any kind of ointment suitable for your skin. This helps to heal faster. This is an artificial way to restore your hymen, hence it does not cause any harm to the vagina.

The success rate of hymenoplasty

As said earlier, this is an easy surgery. But you should be careful enough to follow your gynecologist’s advice before, during, and after the treatment. It has a success rate of 98%.

• Acne breakouts
• Weight gain and difficulties in losing weight
• Surplus facial and body hair. Sometimes women get dense and darker facial hair, and more hair on the chest, belly, and back
• Reduction in the thickness of the hair (Hair fall)
• Irregular periods. Women suffering from PCOS have less than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods, whereas, others have heavy bleeding
• Women who have PCOS have a problem in getting pregnant (infertility)

PCOD and PCOS complications

• High risk of endometrial cancer
• Infertility (early treatment of PCOD can help to cure infertility and increase the chances of healthy pregnancy)
• Obesity-related (BMI over 30 and waist circumference greater than 35) conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes
• Possible risk of breast cancer

Treatments for PCOD

edications

To regulate your menstrual cycle, apply the following measures:

1. 1. Combined birth control pills – Pills that contain estrogen and progestin, lessen androgen production and regulate estrogen. Balancing your hormones can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer and cure abnormal bleeding, excessive hair growth, and acne. Instead of pills, you can use a skin patch or vaginal ring to release a continuous dose of estrogen and progestogen.
2. 2. Progestin therapy – This therapy decreases the odds of conception and giving birth. The Progestin shot lasts for 3 months and hence, requires 4 shots a year. The progestin-only mini pill or progestin-containing intrauterine device is a better choice if you wish to avoid pregnancy.

To help you ovulate, apply these measures:

1. 1. Letrozole (Femara) – It’s used for treating breast cancer hence, can work to stimulate the ovaries.
2. 2. Metformin – This medication treats diabetes mellitus (a condition in which the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood). If you have prediabetes, metformin can also help in weight loss.
3. 3. Gonadotropins – These hormone medications cause the ovaries to make estrogen and progesterone.

To reduce excessive hair growth, apply the following measures:

1. 1. Birth control pills – These pills reduce androgen production which causes excessive hair growth.
2. 2. Spironolactone (Aldactone) – This medication barrier the effects of androgen on the skin. Spironolactone can cause birth defects so, it isn’t recommended if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
3. 3. Eflornithine (Vaniqa) – This medication can slow down facial hair growth in women.
4. 4. Electrolysis – A tiny needle is injected into each hair follicle. The needle release vibration of electric current to destroy the follicle. You might need multiple treatments.

Common medical treatments

Some common medical treatments used for treating some of the problems associated with PCOS, including weight-loss medication, such as Xenical (orlistat) which decreases the amount of dietary fat absorbed in your intestines; cholesterol-reducing medication (statins) which blocks the substance your body needs to make cholesterol in your blood; and acne treatments.

Surgery can also be an alternative way to treat PCOS by an open operation done through a large incision called wedge resection. In this operation, a segment of the ovaries gets cut out to repair the ovary. It helps to improve fertility hence, starting ovulation and creating pregnancies. Ovarian drilling is a surgical technique in which tiny holes are made in the membrane surrounding the ovary with a laser or a surgical needle to restore regular ovulation cycle.