Hymen Definition
In simple words, Hymen is a mucous membrane fold that surrounds and partially covers the vaginal passage or opening in females. It forms part of the external genitalia or vulva. The hymenal opening increases as the age advances. it is very essential to know about female reproductive system in detail prior to knowing about hymen and its types, etc. (Refer: Female Anatomy)
Hymen Location
The hymen is located at the mouth of the vagina but not deep inside. One can look at it by spreading the legs wide open and adjusting a small mirror in front of the vagina.
Hymen function
• Protection of vagina from infections in infants.
• Allows the normal outflow of menstrual blood when puberty begins.
Hymen Pictures
Image 1 : Hymen Picture
Image 2 : Normal hymen picture
Hymen Types
1. Imperforate Hymen
Typically, the hymen covers the vagina partially. It generally has a hole which stops the menstrual blood flow. Imperforate hymen is the situation when the hymen is completely closed which stops the menstrual blood from flowing out.
Image 3 : Imperforate hymen picture
photo source : youngwomenshealth.org
Imperforate Hymen Causes
Imperforate hymen generally occurs during the teenage years. However, this could also be diagnosed during a neonatal examination. It is evident that the imperforate hymen in teenagers is often inherent, and could also be due to the failure of central epithelial cells of hymen. Inflammatory causes could also be the reason of such problems. In the growing age increase in vagina size and uterus shift can also result in the increase of cystic mass in the abdominal tract.
Imperforate Hymen Symptoms
- No menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain
- Abnormalities in the epithelial cells of the hymen; this results in back flow and accumulation of blood inside the vagina
- Urinary problems
- Presence of bluish or reddish mass between two outer folds of the vulva
- Constipation can be there in some cases
Imperforate Hymen Surgery
If a woman is suffering from imperforate hymen, then surgery can be done in order to ease the issue. The surgery helps in removing the hymeneal tissue in order to create a normal-sized vaginal opening. When this minor surgery is done, the menstrual blood can flow out of vagina from the opening.
During childhood, the surgical procedures of vagina and hymen might effect in scarring for consequent surgical revision. Therefore, surgery during this time (when the endogenous estrogen levels are low) is avoided as much as possible. However, during childhood, if there is any imperforate hymen suspected, then, after the onset of breast development, re-examination should be performed for indicating the fabrication of estrogen. The surgery can be performed after the healing procedure and before the growth of hematocolpos.
For further information on imperforate hymen check out this reference from emedicine - http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/269050-overview
2. Microperforate Hymen
A microperforate hymen is a thin tissue, which almost covers the entire mouth of vagina except a very small hole. This will not stop menstrual blood to flow out completely, but it will make it difficult, slow and painful. Using tampon with the microperforate hymen is not advisable, as one may successfully insert an empty tampon, but then, it would become very difficult for them to remove it when it’s filled. Women with microperforate hymen experience longer menstrual periods due to slow passage of blood through small perforations present in the hymen. Sometimes, teenagers do not even realize that they have a microperforate hymen. It can be treated with a minor surgery and normal size opening is made.
Image 4 : Microperforate hymen picture
photo source : youngwomenshealth.org
3. Septate Hymen
The Septate hymen is the situation when the regular hymen has extra layer of tissues in the middle, which causes two small openings instead of one. This type is rare compared to the other types, and is seen in 1 out of 2000 women. This causes the same issues as with microperforate hymen. One can get these extra tissues removed with the help of a minor surgery at a local clinic to create a large orifice. It is generally a 15 to 20 minute surgery; hence, it is a fast and effective surgery. One can get discharged from the hospital the same day. The area will be sore for a day or two, and then it becomes normal.
Image 5 : Septate hymen picture
photo source : youngwomenshealth.org
Hymen Repair and Restoration
Hymen of a woman can gets disrupted after a sexual intercourse or strenuous physical activities. Usage of a tampon can also break the hymen. Hymen repair and restoration surgery is generally asked for the ethnic, cultural, or religious reasons as most of the times the unbroken hymen gets related to the virginity of a female. Hymen repair or restoration surgery, also called as hymenoplasty is designed for repairing and reconstructing the thin, ring like skin membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening
Simple repair:
Restoration of hymen consists of closing the tear by bringing together the remnants. It is a simple procedure in which the tissues are pulled together. However, the results may be temporary, and healing take place rarely, as the hymen is an avascular structure.
Alloplant:
Another temporary measure carried out is the insertion of a Tear-through bio-material.
Hymenoplasty (Hymenorraphy):
Hymen can be restored when broken, and for this, the hymenoplasty can be done. Hymenoplasty or hymen restoration is also known as hymenorraphy. For hymenoplasty, local anesthesia is administered for the dissection of the tissues in order to restrict the small blood vessels from bleeding. When the torn areas are denuded, the edges are stitched together in order to reshape the star-shaped ring, just as it was before the sexual relationships, accidents, etc. It is restored in such a way that, when sexual intercourse is experienced, the hymen tears again and there will be minor pain and bleeding as well.
Hymen surgery is generally done in case of hymen restoration or hymen repair, which is required when a woman has imperforate or microperforate hymen state.
For futher information on hymenoplasty surgery check this – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenorrhaphy
Broken Hymen
Hymen- the thin layer of tissue at the opening of the vagina can be broken with sexual intercourse or few physical activities. Despite the fact that hymen has no definite function in the body, other than being part of the opening of the vagina; an intact hymen can have great significance as an indicator of a woman’s virginity.
Frequently asked questions on Broken Hymen
How to tell if my Hymen is broken ?
A doctor can confirm if the hymen is broken or still intact. However, there are some ways which may give idea to the person if the hymen is broken or not. Some of them are:
- Spread the legs wide open and open the two outer folds of the vulva (Labia Minora) with the help of two fingers. Now place a small shaving mirror in front of your vagina, and try to look if you can see a thin ring shaped tissue at the opening of vagina. If it is there, the hymen is not broken.
- One can also try to insert the middle figure, which is the longest one, inside the vagina and if the finger cannot go in easily more than 1 or 1.5 inch, feel like something is pressing back to your finger tip, then your hymen is not broken.
- The hymen on breaking may bleed a little causing pain, and you would know that it is broken. However, it is not necessary that a hymen always bleed when it breaks. Some girls do not get bleeding.
How to break your hymen?
Are you wondering how to break your hymen? Well, breaking hymen is not a daunting task. However, you have to be careful in doing this task. Many girls want their first time to be pleasurable and not with pain and break their hymen on their own in order to enjoy steaming sex.
You can break your hymen by following some of the below mentioned steps:
- Indulge in physical exercise like dancing, horse-riding, cycling, jumping and skipping
- Insert finger and stretch the fingers gently inside and this can break the hymen, but only partially since the complete breakage of hymen occurs only during the first sex
- Masturbation can also help in breaking your hymen. However, this depends on how violently the girl masturbates. Some girls insert more than one finger and masturbate, which could lead to hymen breakage
- If you stick anything into your vagina, then hymen breaks
Hymen – the real facts
• 1 in 1000 women are born without a hymen.
• In 44% of women, no blood loss occurs during the first vaginal penetration.
• The hymen may naturally rupture during sports or any physical activity.
• Once a girl menstruates, the perforations present in the hymen gets bigger.
• Usage of tampons can break the hymen.
• Sometimes, small or elastic hymens do not break (pregnancy can occur even in intact hymens.
• It is not necessary that a hymen bleeds when broken.
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by on 22. Aug, 2010 in Women's Health
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