How painful is the procedure?

The procedure takes place under local anesthesia or, if desired, in twilight sleep. Pain during the procedure is therefore not perceived. Even after the procedure, patients hardly feel any pain and can usually go about their daily routine on the same day. Since the sutures do not have to be removed during hymen reconstruction, the procedure is generally very painless.

Are there any risks or long-term side effects?

A hymen reconstruction is very low-risk and hardly associated with long-term side effects. Since the hymen is very well supplied with blood, scars in this area heal very quickly. Nevertheless, as in any other operation, there can be general risks.

There may be bleeding or inflammation in the genital area. In rare cases, there may also be sensitivity disorders in the genital area. After about three to six weeks there should generally be no more discomfort, as the hymen should have fully recovered. For women considering hymen reconstruction, it is very important to know that the reconstruction does not guarantee bleeding during first intercourse. The surgery only increases the likelihood of bleeding, as the well perfused tissue of the hymen is sewn back together.

Can the restored hymen be distinguished from the intact hymen?

It is a myth that the hymen always causes a slight bleeding during the first sexual intercourse. Only every second to third woman bleeds. The same is true for hymen reconstruction: although the chance of bleeding is considerably increased by the reconstruction, there is no guarantee of bleeding. If you are more interested in faking a bleeding as a sign of “virginity”, you can consider alternatives such as artificial hymen with blood implants. For more information we recommend our page on: The hymen – What causes it to tear?

Can the hymen reconstruction be performed more than once?

A hymen reconstruction can be performed several times. However, this is not recommended. This is because with each procedure, the remnants of the remaining hymen shrink, so that they may no longer be sufficient for reconstruction. In such a case, the surgeon uses the tissue of the posterior vaginal wall to model a new ring that is to represent the hymen. This ring cannot be distinguished from the real hymen, even by experienced gynecologists.