Is your daughter not getting her periods regularly even though she is a big girl? Or do you feel pain during sex? Sometimes the cause of such problems can be something very simple that many people do not even think about. Today we are going to talk about a small surgery that comes to the rescue at such times. This is called a hymenectomy. Don't be scared when you hear this name, this is often a very simple and quick thing to do. Let's see the details about this.
Simply put, what is a hymenectomy?
Okay, before we understand this, we first need to know what the hymen is. This is a thin, stretchy piece of tissue near the opening of your vagina. Many people think that it is completely closed, but that is actually wrong. Normally, this membrane naturally stretches and opens up during menstruation, making way for blood to come out.
However, some girls are born with abnormalities in their hymen. That is, it may not be the normal shape, size, or thickness. That's when problems arise. Blood may not come out during menstruation, you may not be able to use a tampon, or you may experience severe pain during sex.
Hymenectomy is a minor surgical procedure to remove or open the hymen, which is often called a hymenotomy.
Why would someone want to have this kind of surgery?
This surgery is usually recommended due to certain congenital problems with the hymen. Let's take a look at what these conditions are.
| Hymenal Abnormality | What does this mean? |
|---|---|
| Imperforate hymen | What happens in this case is that the opening of the vagina is completely covered by the hymen. There is not even a small hole. Therefore, during menstruation, there is no way for blood to come out. |
| Microperforate hymen | Here, the vaginal opening is almost completely closed, but there is only a very small, delicate hole for blood to pass through. This makes menstruation last longer and prevents the insertion of a tampon. |
| Septate hymen | This is where there is an extra strip of tissue across the hymen, like two doors to the vaginal opening. This can make it difficult to insert and remove a tampon, and can cause pain during sex. |
| Cribriform hymen | In this condition, instead of a single hole in the hymen, there are many tiny holes, like a filter. This makes it difficult for blood to come out during menstruation. |
Sometimes doctors can detect these abnormalities as soon as a child is born, but most often they are discovered after the child reaches puberty.
Imagine this, there is a young girl of 14-15 years old. All her friends her age have started menstruating. But she has not yet. Every month she gets stomach cramps, but no blood comes out. This happens because of a condition called ``Imperforate hymen'', in which blood collects inside the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and abdomen. This can be a very dangerous situation . At such times, this surgery becomes necessary.
What happens before and during surgery?
If you suspect that you or your daughter has this type of problem, the first thing you should do is see a gynecologist .
Before surgery
The doctor will examine you, diagnose your condition, and decide whether surgery is necessary. This is a very minor surgery, so you won't need to stay in the hospital for days. The surgery is done the same day and you can go home a few hours later (outpatient procedure) . Your doctor will give you clear instructions on whether there are any medications you need to stop taking a few days before surgery, and whether you need to avoid eating or drinking for about 12 hours before surgery.
During surgery
You will not be given general anesthesia. Most often, you will only be given local anesthesia to numb the area around the vaginal opening where the surgery will be performed. You may be given other sedatives to help reduce your anxiety.
During the surgery, the doctor uses a scalpel or special scissors to cut away any excess or blocked hymen tissue. The incision is then closed with absorbable stitches, which means there is no need to remove the stitches later.
The entire procedure takes about 30-60 minutes . After that, you will be kept in a recovery room for a few hours for observation, and if there are no problems, you will be sent home.
How is the recovery time at home after surgery?
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions to help you recover quickly after you go home. The following instructions are usually given:
- Weeks two to four: Do not insert anything into the vagina. This means you should refrain from using tampons or having sex until your doctor gives you permission.
- For pain and discomfort: Sit in a warm bath for 10-15 minutes several times a day (sitz bath) . This will reduce pain and help the wound heal faster.
- Weight lifting and exercise: Avoid lifting weights and strenuous exercise until your doctor tells you to.
- Painkillers: You can take a common painkiller like paracetamol. But don't take medications like aspirin , as they can slow blood clotting. Ask your doctor about the most suitable painkiller for you.
- Cleanliness: You can shower and wash your body as usual. But be very careful when washing and drying the surgical site.
- Follow-up: Be sure to go and show up on the day the doctor says to come back.
Although it can take a month or two to fully recover, most people are able to resume their normal activities within two to four weeks .
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
As with any medical procedure, there are both benefits and minor risks.
| Advantages | Risks |
|---|---|
|
|
The most important thing is that this surgery is very successful and has low risks . The risks mentioned above are very rare.
Watch out for these symptoms during recovery!
It is normal to experience some mild pain, spotting, or vaginal discharge for a few days after surgery. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should inform your doctor immediately .
- A fever that does not go down even after taking painkillers.
- A yellow/green, pus-like discharge from the vagina with a foul odor.
- Heavy bleeding (wetting more than one sanitary pad per hour).
- Excessive redness or rash at the surgical site.
- Severe pain when urinating.
- Feeling extremely dizzy or faint.
It is very important to seek medical advice as these symptoms could be a sign of an infection or other problem.
Take-Home Message
- Hymenectomy is a very simple, minor surgery performed to correct congenital abnormalities of the hymen.
- This is a successful solution to problems such as a girl's failure to start menstruating, excessive pain, and inability to use tampons.
- This surgery is very safe, and you can usually go home the same day after treatment.
- The recovery period is short, and by following the doctor's instructions, you can recover quickly.
- If you or your daughter have any concerns about this type of problem, don't be afraid or embarrassed to see a specialist and talk about it. This can prevent a bigger problem.
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