Hymenorrhaphy
Encyclopedia
Hymenorrhaphy or hymenoplasty or hymen reconstruction surgery is the surgical restoration of the hymen
. The term comes from the Greek words hymen meaning membrane, and raphe meaning suture. It is also known as hymenoplasty, although strictly this term would also include hymenotomy
.
Such procedures are not generally regarded as part of mainstream gynecology, but are available from some plastic surgery
centres, particularly in the USA, Japan
and Western Europe
, generally as day surgery. The normal aim is to cause bleeding
during post-nuptial intercourse
, which in some cultures is considered proof of virginity
.
In the United States of America, hymen restoration is available in private clinics and becoming more common.
In France, some of the cost is reimbursed by the state in cases of rape or trauma.
Hymen
The hymen is a membrane that surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening. It forms part of the vulva, or external genitalia. The size of the hymenal opening increases with age. Although an often practiced method, it is not possible to confirm with certainty that a girl or woman is a...
. The term comes from the Greek words hymen meaning membrane, and raphe meaning suture. It is also known as hymenoplasty, although strictly this term would also include hymenotomy
Hymenotomy
A hymenotomy is a minor medical procedure involving the surgical removal or opening of the hymen. It is often performed on patients with imperforate hymens or septate hymens, or other situations where the hymen is unusually thick or rigid. In the case of a female with a hymen without any opening,...
.
Such procedures are not generally regarded as part of mainstream gynecology, but are available from some plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
centres, particularly in the USA, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
, generally as day surgery. The normal aim is to cause bleeding
Bleeding
Bleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging or haemorrhaging is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system...
during post-nuptial intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
, which in some cultures is considered proof of virginity
Virginity
Virginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
.
Varieties of the operation
The term may cover at least four significantly different types of procedure:- Suturing of a tear in the hymen such as might be caused by sexual assaultSexual assaultSexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
, soon after the assault, to facilitate healing. - A purely cosmetic procedure in which a membrane without blood supply is created, sometimes including a gelatine capsule of an artificial bloodlike substance. This operation is intended to be performed within a few days before an intended marriageMarriageMarriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
. - Use of a flap of the vaginal lining, complete with its blood supply, to create a new hymen. Patients are advised to refrain from penetrative sexSexual intercourseSexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
for up to three months following this procedure. - The term hymen reconstruction has also been used to describe some varieties of infibulationInfibulationInfibulation is the surgical modification or mutilation of the genitals in males and females, particularly the foreskin, labia minora and labia majora...
, requiring further surgery before penetration is possible.
Availability and legality
Some hymen reconstruction operations are legal in some countries, while other countries ban all hymenorrhaphy. Infibulation is generally illegal.In the United States of America, hymen restoration is available in private clinics and becoming more common.
In France, some of the cost is reimbursed by the state in cases of rape or trauma.
See also
- Artificial hymenArtificial hymenAn artificial hymen is a type of prosthetic created for the purpose of simulating an intact human hymen.-Use:The product is made of a material which, when properly inserted, adheres to the inside of the vagina, temporarily giving the appearance of an intact hymen.-Controversy:Artificial hymens...
- Born-again virginBorn-again virginAn individual can claim to be a born-again virgin if, after having engaged in sexual intercourse, s/he makes a commitment to not be sexually active until marriage...
- Genital modification and mutilationGenital modification and mutilationThe terms genital modification and genital mutilation can refer to permanent or temporary changes to human sex organs. Some forms of genital alteration are performed at the behest of an adult, with their informed consent. Others are performed on infants or children...
- HymenotomyHymenotomyA hymenotomy is a minor medical procedure involving the surgical removal or opening of the hymen. It is often performed on patients with imperforate hymens or septate hymens, or other situations where the hymen is unusually thick or rigid. In the case of a female with a hymen without any opening,...
- VaginoplastyVaginoplastythumb|right|300px|Vaginoplasty: the pre-operative aspect , and the post-operative aspect of a [[Labiaplasty|labial reduction]].Vaginoplasty is a reconstructive plastic surgery procedure for correcting the defects and deformities of the vaginal canal and its mucous membrane, and of vulvo-vaginal...
- Virginity fraudVirginity fraudVirginity fraud is held to occur when someone lies about their virginity in order to obtain something of value...
- Kyōko AizomeKyoko Aizomeis a Japanese erotic actress, singer, AV director, and writer who has been called, "the first hard-core porn actress in Japan."-Early life:Kyōko Aizome was born on February 9, 1958 in Noda Chiba Prefecture. Aizome grew up in a troubled household. Her father was a police officer who beat his wife,...
, a pornographic actress who had her hymen surgically restored so it could be broken on film
External links
- Hymenoplasty Surgery slideshow of before and after pictures of a hymenoplasty surgery.
- Designer vaginas, SMHThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
article describes a private clinic in New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
offering hymenorrhaphy and other appearance gynaecology procedures. - Pediatrics article discusses healing of hymen injuries.
- NewHymen.dk - information and counselling on hymen surgery in the context of tradition and family pressure.