A Brief Overview Of Hymenoplasty

Hymenoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the placement of an artificial hymen in a person’s vagina. Though popularly marketed as a way to “restore virginity,” this is actually a misnomer stemming from a misunderstanding of the scientific definition for virginity. Women are classified as virgins whether or not they have intact hymens as long they’ve never engaged in penetrative sexual intercourse. Conversely, a sexually active woman who gets a hymenoplasty is still technically considered a nonvirgin. There are three primary methods surgeons use to perform hymen restoration. Each has different recovery periods, with the recommended rest time ranging from a few days to a few months. Doctors sometimes repair a partially torn hymen by sewing the tissue back together and allowing it to heal naturally. It’s a popular treatment for women who’ve suffered from rape and sexual assault. Victims of such heinous crimes benefit from the procedure best from the mental peace it can engender. The abused female can better move on from the trauma if she has some physical reassurance that her “real” virginity remains intact and unharmed. Another strategy that hymenoplasty doctors employ is the implantation of an artificial membrane. It’s sewn to the vaginal walls and is designed to break upon contact with the penis during sex. Often, a small pill of fake blood is attached to the make-believe hymen. This too is designed to burst during intercourse. The “blood” coupled with the physical sensation of hitting a barrier is supposed to convince a man of the woman’s prior virginity. Hymenoplasty doctors can also simulate authentic virginity without the use of ersatz materials. They can use segments of the vaginal lining itself in order to create a real flesh wall with real blood inside the woman’s genitalia. The main disadvantage of this method is the extended recovery period involved. Those with a dummy hymen can have penetrative sex within days of the surgery while repurposing the vaginal membrane would require a three month wait. Hymenoplasty doctors say that women often get the procedure in order to fool their potential husbands that they’re still virgins. It’s an inherently flawed approach as a plethora of nonsexual activities like biking or gymnastics are perfectly capable of rupturing a woman’s hymen.