Hymenoplasty: from the patient's side

[JustAGirl]

Since I've asked a few questions about this in the past, and I know I'm not the only one here who has had such questions, I felt I should try to complement Brandye's professional view of this procedure with the patient's experience.

After several years of inability to use a tampon (or even insert my smallest finger, even when well-lubricated) I sought gynaecological advice. My problem was diagnosed as a microperforated hymen, the hole of which was so tiny that the head of a Q-tip wouldn't even fit through. Though extreme microperforations are often detected in puberty, as they can prevent normal menstruation, the difficulty that I sometimes had with heavy or thick flow was never considered abnormal, and so my problem remained essentially ignored until the second of two gynaecologists (note to the ladies here: if you feel like something is wrong, do get a second opinion!)

I recently had hymenoplastic surgery to open the hymen. Brandye mentioned that when performing that surgery she uses local anaesthetic, but my gynaecologist used general. He told me that it would take longer to put me out than it would to actually perform the surgery, since it was essentially two little snips. Indeed it did. I woke up about an hour later and was fine. As far as soreness or pain, the only discomfort that I felt could be likened to wearing a pair of jeans whose crotch seam was too tight- more a sense of rubbing against the labia than a feeling of pain at the entrance to the vagina, for whatever reason.

I was told to take it easy for six hours, to expect some spotting over the next few days (which I did experience,) not to use a tampon for the next week or so, and not to have sex for a week or two. Other than that, I could go back to my normal activities, including bicycling and horseback riding, as soon as I felt comfortable (which was essentially immediately.)

I wish that I had been more aggressive earlier on and sought a second opinion earlier, so that I could have had the procedure earlier this year and spent less time being sexually frustrated. I know that one of the reasons I held off was an unsurety about the procedure itself, and so I am posting this in hopes that it might reassure someone here who might be considering having it performed.

[eminatic]

i used to have similar problems with tampons (i could get them in, but couldnt get them out without EXTREME pain) and also saw 2 gynecologists- the first one i saw 3 times and she kept insisting nothing was physically wrong, that it was all my imagination and i was just not relaxed enough. the second one noticed right away that i had a septate hymen. (a bar of flesh going vertically down the vaginal opening, creating "two" small vaginal openings)

i had it surgically removed (also with general anesthesia) and was told i would be able to use tampons, have sex without pain, etc..
unfortunately that was not the case =\

there is still a slight bump in the 12 o'clock area of the vaginal opening...basically it looks like tonsils on my vaginal opening, and i notice that this is where i feel the most burning pain during sex or trying to remove a tampon. this is also where it burns when any kind of lubrication touches it. i'm wondering if the surgery could have something to do with it, although i had it done about 2 years ago...

[sera300]

JUSTAGIRL:

Nice post! Well put.

[Brandye]

Just,

Thank you for the testimonial. I have. from time to time, talked about a "tough hymen." Not unusual and that can usually take just a nick without any anesthetic. Microperforation is a more total closure and I can understand the use of the general anesthesia. An even more rare condition is no perforation at all (I have never encountered this) that prevents menstrual flow and is readily recognized and treated - sometimes after a bit of abdominal pain.

In all three situations, recovery is about as you describe. I do get frustrated over colleagues who are so oblivious to their patients concerns. Do be aggressive in asking for treatment. We all miss a few things and even the obvious can go ignored.

I must say that when I read the title, I thought you were addressing the reverse - the hymenoplasty that makes us "virgin" again that is the rage in some cultures. That is just plain crazy but makes some of my colleagues rich!

[JustAGirl]

You know, Brandye, that's what I had thought as well- my impression was that the surgery that I had was more properly termed "hymenotomy." But "hymenoplasty" is what my gynaecologist called it. I will have to ask him about that at the follow-up appointment.

[JustAGirl]

Thought that I might post an update- a semi-happy-ending, if you will- as I recently had the post-surgical follow-up appointment with the gynecologist.

I had not tried on my own to insert a tampon since the surgery, as I had had no reason to do so, and so the good doctor attempted to do so himself. I thought, "No problem, no barrier" and relaxed, only to be met with a near-complete encore of the same pain I'd experienced with the hymen actually intact. The doctor diagnosed the problem as an irritated vaginal region and prescribed dietary modifications to remove irritating substances from my urine, daily sitz-baths, and an anti-histamine. It occurred to me, as I walked out of his office, that the problem was more likely a combination of two things: one, I am extremely uncomfortable with most men; and two, as someone who spends quite a bit of time in a saddle with jeans on, my horseback-riding was probably the cause of the irritation. Because of that, I spent several days working myself up to it, and then finally attempted to insert a tampon on my own. Copious amounts of lubricant were required, and it was still rather painful, but for the first time- after approximately half my lifetime of attempts- I was able to insert something into my vagina.

If I spent the next several minutes smiling because of that, I will deny it.

Long story short is that it still hurts, but I'm more inclined to chalk that up to not being used to the feeling of penetration, and a rather tight vagina (despite being built on the scale of a draught horse everywhere else, much to my chagrin) than to any internal problems. My next goal is to get myself more used to the feeling, and be able to insert slightly larger objects (i.e., something more than the sort of tampon suggested for extremely light flow in slender teenaged girls) before the next gynecologic exam- which should be the first internal exam I've ever had, despite spending a good part of the last year going in and out of various doctor's offices.

[Brandye]

The hymen is gone. The only other barrier to penetration is an involuntary contraction of the muscles. Having gone this far with the doctor, ask him about vaginismus. This is not a diagnosis but merely an observation worth exploring with a doctor who has "looked you over."

[JustAGirl]

Vaginismus and dysmenorhhea, among other disorders and complications, are actually this doctor's specialties. I think that any issue I have from here on out is more likely to be due to nervousness (I don't forget pain that bad so easily) and general tightness, but should I have any troubles I will certainly talk to him. He may be male, but he's done all right by me so far. Thank you for your input, though, both on this specifically and for all the questions I asked you in the past- you have been quite a help.

[kate_luana]

Just thought I'd add my own experience into the mix.

I had a hymenectomy this afternoon. My gynecologist sent me to the hospital for blood drawing and an exam, where she also performed the surgery after. I was given general anesthetic, but don't even remember it being administered; I was wheeled into the operating room, watched the assistants fuss over me a bit, and next thing I knew I was waking up an hour-and-a-half later. (Having no memory of the exposure or the "invasiveness" of the procedure is definitely a good thing in my book.)

Apparently I also had a microperforate hymen. I've never tried to insert tampons, but my gyno said afterwards that if I'd tried, I would've had no luck whatsoever. The opening was barely enough to allow a normal menstrual flow through. That would explain why my boyfriend's attempts at manual penetration hurt so much!

The pain hasn't been terrible. I got a little nauseous from the anesthesia when walking to the bathroom, but the blood drawing was definitely worse. (With the blood drawing, I nearly passed out, lost my vision and had trouble breathing for a while... Definitely don't take that well at all...) The pain is annoying, but probably only about a 2 or 3 on the "pain scale," akin to wearing pants that are way too tight. It was quite itchy earlier, but not as much now. They gave me prescription-strength Motrin and Darvocet, but I'm just taking half of the Motrin. I'm also still bleeding a fair bit, but nowhere near the amount that the post-op directions say is a problem. The gyno said that should subside in a couple days as well (just in time for my real period to start *rolls eyes*).

I'm to stay in bed and take it easy for a couple days. The follow-up is in a couple weeks, and no penetration of any kind for six weeks. They gave me those dissolving stitches too; I hope they work as intended. Can't imagine pulling those out would be fun.

So far it's been an interesting day, but nowhere near as troublesome as getting wisdom teeth removed. I'm thinking that, when it comes to penetration, I've got nowhere to move but up now, and I'm very happy that at least part of my problem is on the way to being resolved.

[sera300]

Good to hear all went well!!! Sounds like a good surgical experience---no recall is the intent! Rest & remember you might be sore in a few days!