Okay, I'm 21. I have been having sex for 3 years. I have just have done a self diagnosis after lots of research, and believe that I have a Septate Hymen. ...Don't worry, I have a doctors appointment booked...I will get this confirmed ;)
When my man and I have sex, if it's not on the right "side", or if he pushes the skin when going in, it can be quite painful. It's a good thick piece of skin, it's not something that's gonna break. I read of girls cutting it themself...but there is NO chance I would ever think of that (1 infection, and 2 the pain would be horrible I'd think!!)
I've got a PAP test done every year, for a few years now. I'm not sure why this was never brought to my attention?? Hmm.
Any other ladies who have one, or had one?? Did you just get it done at the doctors office/out patients/gynocologist/or go into actual surgery??
I just want some information, or if you know of any resources, I'd REALLY appreciate it. I never realized this was a rare form of a hymen, I thought that's what a regular hyman was. Learn something new everyday :)
I do not have a septate hymen and never did. I have seen quite a few and have 'Fixed" a few. I cannot believe that with several pap smears and an apparently active sex life you would still have any remnants of a hymen. How was the speculum used? Are you a tampon user? I cannot imagine anyone doing a pap smear and not bringing it to your attention. When doing first gyn exams, this should be pointed out and an offer to fix the situation should be made.
Assuming that it is a regular septate, the snip can be done right on the exam table. Wear a pantiliner and dob on some anti-bacterial ointment for a day or two and that should be it. There is a remote possibility that you had a really thick one and the doctor will want to remove it the ends rather than just snipping. In neither case should you try it yourself. Some women do have a hymen that more resembles a third set of lips of much thicker tissue that the hymen usually has.
Rare? Not really. Unusual but not rare.
A search for septate hymen will yield several resources from simple diagrams for teenaged girls to medical discussion of various irregular hymen structures.
As you lift your feet into the stirrups, ask specifically and the doctor will discuss this with you completely.