Hymenoplasty (hymen repair surgery) is required when the hymen tissue, known as the hymen, is damaged due to sexual intercourse or trauma to the genital area. Regret and distress following unwanted or non-consensual sexual encounters are common reasons for patients to seek consultation with a gynecologist. In fact, many patients undergoing therapy due to depression related to such events are referred to gynecologists for hymenoplasty by their therapists.

Hymen repair is performed in two techniques: permanent and temporary repair. In permanent repair, bleeding occurs after intercourse, whether it happens a month, a year, or five years later. Permanent hymenoplasty can last a lifetime. However, a final check-up near the time of intercourse confirms the success of the procedure. In permanent hymenoplasty, the vaginal opening is narrowed by either lifting a flap or removing tissue from the vagina, ensuring bleeding during sexual intercourse. Additionally, if narrowing is performed during permanent hymenoplasty, repeated procedures can potentially harm the patient's anatomy and lead to unwanted complications.

In women who have experienced prolonged sexual activity, abortion, miscarriage, or childbirth, hymenoplasty can be performed along with vaginal tightening surgery in the same session. The most appropriate time for permanent hymenoplasty is usually after the menstrual period ends.

The duration of the procedure varies depending on the method used but generally lasts about 20-30 minutes. It can be performed under sedation and local anesthesia. The recovery period lasts from 4 to 8 weeks, and intercourse is not recommended during the first 2 months. Since the repair is permanent, once the healing process is completed, intercourse can be resumed at any time, and bleeding will occur when the hymen is torn during sexual activity. After the procedure, 1-2 days of rest may be required. It is crucial to follow the doctor's recommendations and avoid heavy physical activities, prolonged constipation, swimming, waxing, or laser treatments for 4-6 weeks. Only an experienced gynecologist will be able to tell that the procedure has been performed. After the first intercourse post-operation, even during pregnancy or a routine gynecological examination, it is usually not detectable by a gynecologist that the procedure was done.

Temporary hymenoplasty is a procedure performed 3-7 days before sexual intercourse. It lasts for 7-10 days. A stitch is placed to narrow the vaginal entrance and cause bleeding during sexual intercourse. Very fine and soft threads are used as the stitching material. The stitches are hidden behind the remnants of the hymen so they are not visible externally. During intercourse, when the penis penetrates the vagina, the narrow vaginal opening is stretched, causing small tears and bleeding. This repair is completely unnoticeable and invisible from the outside. Temporary hymenoplasty is generally performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area, and the procedure takes approximately 15 minutes. The goal is to ensure that bleeding occurs during sexual intercourse. After the procedure, there is no need for any medication.

Before undergoing hymenoplasty (hymen repair), a medical examination is necessary. Not all bleeding during intercourse may be due to the hymen, as cuts or abrasions can also cause bleeding. Therefore, during the examination, information regarding whether the hymen has been damaged should be provided by the expert doctors.

Women with a flexible hymen may not bleed during intercourse. In such cases, the hymen can only tear during normal childbirth. Women who are engaging in sexual intercourse for the first time may worry about how to explain this situation. For such women, a procedure can be performed to ensure the hymen causes bleeding.

After the procedure, there is usually no severe pain, just mild discomfort. General or local anesthesia may be applied according to the patient's preference and the anesthesia doctor's recommendations. For general anesthesia, light sedation, which is a mild sleep-like state, is used. This is not a heavy general anesthesia typically used in operating rooms.

After hymenoplasty (hymen repair), follow-up appointments should not be missed. The doctor’s recommendations and prescribed medications must be followed. Personal hygiene and cleanliness are important. Tight clothing and sudden movements should be avoided until the hymen stitches have healed.

We invite you to our clinic for a free initial consultation, where we can provide detailed information about the hymenoplasty procedure, its costs, and the process you will go through.