Hymenoplasty FAQs

Following are the common questions about Hymenoplasty:

1. What is hymenoplasty?
2. Is hymenoplasty legal in India?
3. What are the tests done before hymenoplasty?
4. What is the procedure for hymenoplasty?
5. What is hymen repair kit? Is it effective?
6. Is hymenoplasty painful?
7. Which doctor performs hymenoplasty- a gynecologist or a plastic surgeon?
8. What are the qualifications of a hymenoplasty doctor?
9. How long does hymenoplasty take?
10. Does hymenoplasty require a hospital stay? I am unmarried and cannot manage to stay overnight.
11. When can I have sex after hymenoplasty?
12. I am getting married after six months. When should I get the hymenoplasty?
13. Will hymenoplasty cause me to bleed during a sexual encounter?
14. Does hymenoplasty also make the vagina tighter?
15. Can my partner know I have had hymenoplasty surgery?
16. Can hymen repair surgery affect future pregnancy?
17. How to prepare for a hymen repair surgery?
18. What kind of aftercare is required following a hymenoplasty procedure?

Q. What is hymenoplasty?

A. Hymenoplasty, also known as hymen repair, hymenorrhaphy, and hymen surgery, is a clinically verified medical procedure to restore a woman’s broken hymen. It involves your doctor surgically repairing the broken ends or reconstructing a new hymen membrane by using a part of the vagina’s skin or synthetics.

Q. Is hymenoplasty legal in India?

A. Yes, hymenoplasty is legal in India. However, make sure you carry your age proof along. You need to be at least 18+ years of age to undergo the procedure.

Q. What are the tests done before hymenoplasty?

A. Hymenoplasty as a procedure does not require any mandatory tests. However, it is important that you discuss your needs and expectations openly with your doctor. Based on the same, your gynecologist will take a physical exam to check the status of your hymen, that is if it is completely absent or has some broken remnants. Corresponding to the same, your gynecologist will prescribe you the best treatment.

Q. What is the procedure for hymenoplasty?

A. To perform hymenoplasty, the vaginal site is first injected with local anesthesia. As the site numbs, the gynecologist uses very fine stitches to stitch together the broken remnant of the hymen. The stitches used are very minute and self dissolvable. The surgery typically takes less than 30 minutes and the stitches dissolve in around 15 days.

Q. What is hymen repair kit? Is it effective?

A. Hymen repair kits are usually a combination of virginity capsules (also known as blood capsules) and vaginal tightening creams.

These blood capsules are penetrative capsules sold with artificial colour. They are usually sold as a way to fake hymen tear and bleeding after sexual intercourse. However, they are not effective. In fact, they are heavily unpopular for disturbing the natural pH balance of the vaginal area and cause incessant vaginal itching, dryness, foul smell, and bacterial infections.

Vaginal tightening creams too are the ointments sold with a promise to tighten the vaginal walls. However, at best, they only bring a tingling sensation to the vaginal area because of their astringent properties.

Neither are clinically verified and are heavily unpopular for disturbing the pH balance and causing itchiness and bacterial infections.

The only clinically verified way to rebuild a hymen is hymenoplasty.

Q. Is hymenoplasty painful?

A. No. Hymen repair surgery is performed under anaesthesia, that is, your doctor numbs the vaginal site before operating on it. It is hence completely painless.

However, as with any surgery, as the effects of anaesthesia slowly wear off and your body becomes conscious, you will experience a slight pull, itch and burning sensation around your vaginal area. This is absolutely normal and will slide substantially within a few hours because of your doctor’s prescribed painkillers. Slowly, as you rest and some time passes, you will find yourself completely recovered in 5-6 weeks.

Q. Which doctor performs hymenoplasty- a gynecologist or a plastic surgeon?

A. Both gynecologists and plastic surgeons can perform a hymenoplasty. However, a gynecologist with core experience in cosmetic-gynecology or obstetrics-gynecology is the most ideal choice.

Q. What are the qualifications of a hymenoplasty doctor?

A. The certifications of a hymenoplasty surgeon must include one/ more of the following qualifications:

• MBBS
• DGO
• DNB/MS- General Surgery
• MS-Gynecology
• MS- Obstetrics
• MS-Plastic Surgery
• Masters Course in Cosmetic Gynecology (MCCG)
• Diploma course in Cosmetic Gynecology (DCCG)
• Fellowship in Cosmetic Gynecology (FCG)

Q. How long does hymenoplasty take?

A. A hymen repair procedure is typically an under 30-minute procedure. However, counting the basic preparation time, anaesthesia, the procedure itself and some time for anaesthesia to wear off, it may take you anywhere between 3-4 hours from entry to exit.

Q. Does hymenoplasty require a hospital stay? I am unmarried and cannot manage to stay overnight.

A. No, hymenoplasty does not require a hospital stay. It is a small procedure performed on local anesthesia and you can go home the same day.

Q. When can I have sex after hymenoplasty?

A. Doctors recommend you wait for at least 6-8 weeks before having sex after your hymenoplasty surgery. (The vaginal tissues begin to heal after 15 days, at the very least.)

Q. I am getting married after six months. When should I get the hymenoplasty?

A. The sooner, the better! Hymenoplasty takes around 1- 1.5 months to heal completely and prepare for penetration. Therefore, it is a good decision to get it done at least 2 months before your planned event. However, since hymen does not automatically break unless penetrated through a vaginal activity or undergoing strenuous physical exercises, getting it done early would free you of stress and continuous anxiety.

Q. Will hymenoplasty cause me to bleed during a sexual encounter?

A. No. Nobody can give you that guarantee. Bleeding cannot be guaranteed even with a natural hymen. While in some women, it may break at the right first time, in others, it may simply stretch and break later or not break at all. However, what hymenoplasty does promise is a 100% assurance of a tight flap-like effect, which is perhaps precisely what you/ your partner may be expecting.

Q. Does hymenoplasty also make the vagina tighter?

A. To a certain extent, yes. But not exactly. If you feel you have a loosened vagina, we suggest you go for laser vaginal tightening. It is a safe and painless procedure that can be completed in 2-3 sessions (depending on your vaginal laxity). It is a completely scarless procedure and takes only 20-25 minutes each session.

Q. Can my partner know I have had hymenoplasty surgery?

A. No. The stitches used during the procedure are extremely fine and dissolvable. Within a month or two, there is practically no visible difference between a natural and synthetically reconstructed hymen.

Q. Can hymen repair surgery affect future pregnancy?

A. No. Hymen repair surgery is performed only on the external vaginal area while all the reproductive organs such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus, lie much above it, that is- after the cervix. Since no reproductive organ/ tissue is disturbed through the hymen repair process, it does not affect a woman’s fertility or future pregnancies.

Q. How to prepare for a hymen repair surgery?

A. We suggest you follow the following steps as you prepare for hymenoplasty:

• Carry your age proof. You must be at least 18+ years old to undertake the procedure.
• Make sure you have informed your doctor about all your current medications and supplements. Your doctor might have to ask you to stop certain medicines (especially blood thinners) as they might interfere with the surgery process and cause excessive bleeding.
• Do not shave the surgical site yourself. A simple shaving cut (major or minor) may infect the site and cause complications.
• Since the surgery is performed under anesthesia, your doctor may ask you to stop eating anything solid/ liquid (even water) for at least 4- 6 hours before the surgery.
• Carry a pair of loose cotton clothing to change into after your surgery.
• Carry a pack of soft sanitary pads to use in case of slight bleeding/ spotting post-surgery.

Q. What kind of aftercare is required following a hymenoplasty procedure?

A. After your procedure, your doctor may recommend a few hours of monitoring. If there are no issues, you will be discharged within 2-3 hours and will be able to return to work within 3-4 days. Some post-care tips that may help you recover better include-

• Clean your vaginal area only with plain water and keep the site clean and moisture-free. Do not swipe. If needed, only gently pat dry with fingers. Also, switch to comfortable cotton underwear and loose pants for a few days. This should help avoid any post-surgical infection and itching.
• As the site heals, it is normal for you to feel a slight itch and burning sensation in your vulvar area. However, please do not itch or rub the surgical site. Instead, use warm compresses and ice packs to relieve pain, discomfort and swelling.
• Avoid taking head bath for 2–3 days afterward.
• Restrict any sexual activity until the site completely heals (minimum 8 weeks).

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