Ruptured Hymen and Hymenoplasty

  There are many causes of hymen rupture other than sexual intercourse. For example, inappropriate sports, trauma, masturbation, and rape. In China, where traditional morality still prevails, the integrity of the hymen is still considered the only criterion to measure a woman’s chastity. It has a direct impact on their marriage, family and happiness.  Hymenoplasty is a surgical procedure performed for hymen rupture due to the above mentioned reasons. Generally speaking, most hymen ruptures can be repaired through surgery. However, those with a history of vaginal delivery at full term or large induction of labor will have difficulty repairing their hymen because of the severity of the damage. The best time for hymenoplasty is from 3 days after menstruation to 10 days before the next menstrual period. It is best to meet with the surgeon 1-2 times before the surgery to fully understand the procedure and to prepare for it. The surgeon should check if the patient has any inflammation of the vagina and vulva, and if so, he/she should cure the inflammation before the surgery. Hymenoplasty is a very delicate and specialized procedure that requires an experienced gynecologic plastic surgeon to perform in order to increase the chances of success. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and is painless. After the surgery, you can carry out your normal work without bed rest and the doctor will inform you of the relevant precautions after the surgery.  The hymen has some peculiarities in terms of physiology, histology and anatomy: the hymen has few blood vessels and nerves, poor blood supply, lack of muscle tissue, and is mainly composed of elastic and collagen fibers, so the healing ability of the wound is poor, plus the location of the hymen is easily contaminated and damaged, and the wound heals poorly in a small number of patients after surgery, resulting in failure. Therefore, it is important to go to the hospital for a review 1-2 weeks after the surgery to find out whether the surgery was successful or not, and it is the surgeon’s responsibility to tell the patient the real situation of wound healing.  Surgery by an experienced gynecologic plastic surgeon will increase the chances of a successful surgery. Therefore, it is important to go to a regular hospital and have surgery with a specialized gynecologic plastic surgeon to minimize the risks of the surgery.