Hymenorrhaphy

Hymenorrhaphy or hymen reconstruction surgery is the temporary surgical restoration of the hymen.[1] The term comes from the Greek words hymen meaning "membrane", and raphḗ meaning "suture". It is also known as hymenoplasty, although strictly this term would also include hymenotomy.

"Hymenoplasty" redirects here. For the operation to correct an imperforate hymen, see Hymenotomy.
Hymenorrhaphy
Other namesHymen reconstruction surgery
ICD-9-CM70.76

Such procedures are not generally regarded as part of mainstream gynecology, but are available from some plastic surgery centers, particularly in the United States, Middle East, South Korea and Western Europe, generally as outpatient surgery. The normal aim is to cause bleeding during post-nuptial intercourse, which in some cultures is considered proof of virginity.[2]

Operation

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.[3]

Availability and legality

Some hymen reconstruction operations are legal in some countries, while other countries ban all hymenorrhaphy.[4]

The operation is popular in Middle Eastern countries, in particular in Iran, where women are expected to keep virginity until their wedding night. Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadeq Rohani has issued a fatwa which permits hymenorrhaphy and considers a woman after the operation to be virgin.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Hymen Repair (hymenoplasty and hymenorrhaphy)". Archived from the original on 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  2. Deuteronomy 22:13-19 (The Message)
  3. Paterson-Brown, Sara (1998-02-07). "Should doctors reconstruct the vaginal introitus of adolescent girls to mimic the virginal state? Education about the hymen is needed". BMJ. 316 (7129): 461. doi:10.1136/bmj.316.7129.461. PMC 2665576. PMID 9492680.
  4. "Girls' secrets aired in Egypt". BBC News. May 5, 2001. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  5. Afary, Janet (12 May 2009). "Recreating virginity in Iran". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  • Pediatrics article discusses healing of hymen injuries.
  • NewHymen.dk - information and counselling on hymen surgery in the context of tradition and family pressure.
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