Hymenorrhaphy

:"Hymenoplasty redirects here. For the operation to correct an imperforate hymen, see Hymenotomy."

Hymenorrhaphy 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 a required proof of virginity.Fact|date=August 2008

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 assault, 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 marriage.

* 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 sex for up to three months following these procedures.

* The term "hymen reconstruction" has also been used to describe some varieties of infibulation, 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 in general illegal.

In the United States of America, hymen restoration is available in private clinics and becoming slightly more common.

In France, some of the cost is reimbursed by the state in cases of rape or trauma. One French doctor stated that such reimbursement claims were mostly fraudulent. [cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSL2532025120070430?pageNumber=2&sp=true |title=Muslim women in France regain virginity in clinics |publisher=Reuters |quote="French social security reimburses some of the cost of the operation in cases of rape or trauma. 'Ninety-nine percent of the time, the claim is a fraud,' [Doctor Marc Abecassis] added."]

ee also

* Genital modification and mutilation
* Hymenotomy
* Vaginoplasty

External links

* " [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/26/1077676899589.html?oneclick=true Designer vaginas] ", SMH article describes a private clinic in New Zealand offering hymenorrhaphy and other "appearance gynaecology" procedures.
* [http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/112/4/829 Pediatrics article] discusses healing of hymen injuries.
* " [http://www.obgyn.net/english/pubs/features/presentations/hennawy13/hymenorrhaphy.ppt Hymenoplasty] ", a presentation to a conference of gynecologists (Microsoft PowerPoint file, 332 KB).

References