Hymenoplasty

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Gatos, Danville and San Jose

Hymenoplasty Swan Medical, Dr. Peter Castillo M.D.

Hymenoplasty, also known as hymen reconstruction, is a surgical procedure that restores the hymen, a thin membrane located at the entrance of the vagina. This procedure is sought by individuals for various reasons, including cultural, religious, or personal motivations.

At Swan Medical, Dr. Peter Castillo M.D. provides first-class hymenoplasty procedures in Los Gatos. We understand the importance of intimate wellness and sexual health, and we aim to respectfully and effectively achieve optimal results for our patients. For more information, call (925) 905-9922 or contact us online.

About Hymenoplasty

The hymen’s precise purpose within the female body is unknown. (1) In many cases, it is torn during the first penetrative sexual experience of a woman’s life. Some cultures and religions equate an intact hymen with virginity, and virginity with sexual and spiritual purity. In the majority of these cultures and religions, being a virgin is favored for a variety of reasons. (2) Unfortunately for many women, the hymen can be torn by many causes outside of intercourse. It can happen while riding a horse, inserting a tampon, or doing the splits; Any activity that might put unusual pressure on the vaginal area can tear the hymen. Luckily, hymenoplasty can help. However you tore it and for whatever reason you want it repaired, this treatment can restore your hymen to its original state.

Benefits of Hymenoplasty

Hymenoplasty is a cosmetic surgery, though its benefits are mostly conceptual. There are many reasons why restoring the physical marker of virginity can be beneficial to patients, including:

  • Obtaining favorability by the standards of a culture or religion
  • Regaining a sense of purity
  • Avoiding judgment from friends and family
  • Regaining a sense of bodily control (common for sexual assault survivors)
  • Symbolically starting anew for a sexual partner or the beginning of a marriage

Who is a Candidate for Hymenoplasty?

Candidates for hymenoplasty are women who desire to restore or reconstruct their hymen. The ideal candidate for hymenoplasty is in good overall health and has realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure. Your body needs to be able to heal properly if you wish to benefit from the results. Age is not a limiting factor, as women of all ages can choose to undergo this surgery. However, it is important that candidates are mentally and emotionally prepared for the procedure, as it can have significant psychological implications. Hymenoplasty is a personal choice, you should not receive this procedure under the pressure of anyone else.

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, Dr. Castillo will provide you with everything you need to know about hymenoplasty. We will review your medical history and assess your current health status to see if surgery is a good option for you. This detailed evaluation will help determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Dr. Castillo understands that each patient is unique, and he will tailor his approach to meet your specific needs. He will also perform a pelvic examination in order to create a plan for the procedure. With the information he gathers, he can let you know what to expect moving forward.

To schedule your personal consultation at Swan Medical, call (925) 905-9922 or fill out this form.

Preparation

In preparation for your hymenoplasty, you should carefully follow any instructions we give you. These will help to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly and that you recover properly. We may ask that you stop or start taking certain medications, including birth control. For a week leading up to your procedure, you should avoid anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the chance of bleeding. You should also avoid alcohol, as it can affect the functioning of anesthesia. If you smoke, you should stop in the weeks before and after your procedure. The negative effects of smoking can impair your ability to heal and can lead to a slower recovery.

Hymenoplasty Procedure

Hymenoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure with the administration of local anesthesia. It takes from 30 to 45 minutes to complete. The procedure begins when Dr. Castillo makes incisions to remove the damaged pieces of hymen. He will then stitch together the remaining tissue to approximate the size and shape of an intact hymen. If you were born without a hymen, or there is not enough of yours left to restore it, he can borrow skin from the vagina to simulate a hymen. In this case, he can ensure that the simulated hymen has blood flow so that it has the possibility of bleeding once broken.

Recovery

Hymenoplasty Swan Medical, Dr. Peter Castillo M.D.

Recovery from hymenoplasty is relatively straightforward. We recommend that you rest at home for 1 to 3 days after your surgery to ensure proper healing. If your job is not physically demanding, you can return to work immediately. You may experience some swelling and bruising in the area for a few weeks. This will gradually diminish with time. We will prescribe you antibiotics and pain medication to avoid infection and discomfort.

You should let your new hymen heal and recover for at least one month before you have intercourse or use a tampon. Avoid strenuous activity for as long as six weeks. Allowing the incision site enough time to heal will reduce the chances of your hymen accidentally breaking. You should also avoid public swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas to avoid infection.

Results

The results of your hymenoplasty will be immediately apparent, though the area of treatment may be swollen for a few weeks post-procedure. The hymen is a fragile membrane, and the results of this treatment are by no means permanent. The same reasons why your hymen could have broken the first time around may cause it to break again. We cannot guarantee that your hymen will bleed in the expected manner when it does break.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Here at Swan Medical, we offer procedures that can correspond with and complement your hymenoplasty.

Perineoplasty

Perineoplasty is a surgical procedure that repairs the perineum, the space between the anus and vagina that helps to support the reproductive organs and pelvic floor muscles. The perineum can become torn or damaged from childbirth, weight loss, and physical trauma. This treatment can strengthen and tighten the area. It can also reduce the size of the vaginal opening and enhance its appearance by removing excess skin. It involves a surgeon making a small v-shaped incision at the bottom of the vaginal opening. From there they can remove excess skin and access underlying muscle to repair it. If paired with hymenoplasty, a perineoplasty procedure can rejuvenate your most intimate areas.

Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is a surgery that can enhance the shape and size of the labia minora, the flaps of skin that surround the vagina. Excess skin in this area can cause discomfort and self-consciousness. Some women prefer a less pronounced labia minora. It can involve a surgeon making incisions to reduce its size. This treatment offers a refinement of the vagina that can reduce discomfort, increase sexual functionality, and improve vaginal aesthetics.

To find out more about intimate wellness procedures at Swan Medical, check out our blog!

How Much Does Hymenoplasty Cost in Los Gatos?

The cost of hymenoplasty can vary depending on several factors. At Swan Medical, we understand that each patient’s needs and treatment plan are unique. To find out how much your hymenoplasty will cost at Swan Medical, call (925) 905-9922 or visit our contact page.

FAQ

What is a hymenoplasty procedure like?

The hymenoplasty procedure involves a surgeon making small incisions on the outer edges of the hymen in order to remove excess skin and construct a new and unbroken hymen.

Is hymenoplasty only for cultural or religious reasons?

While hymenoplasty is often sought for cultural or religious reasons, it can also be performed for personal reasons or to address psychological trauma associated with previous sexual assault. Each patient’s motivations are unique, and it is important to have open and honest discussions with the surgeon to ensure that expectations are aligned with the potential outcomes of the procedure.

Is hymenoplasty painful?

Hymenoplasty providers administer anesthesia to their patients to prevent discomfort during the procedure, making the actual treatment totally painless. Patients may experience some discomfort in the treatment area during recovery. Providers typically prescribe pain medication to help the patient through this process.

How long does hymenoplasty take?

The hymenoplasty procedure typically takes from 30 to 45 minutes. Considering preparation time and other factors, the total time within a surgical facility on the day of the procedure will be around three to four hours.

Will a hymenoplasty cause bleeding during intercourse?

Although a hymenoplasty can repair a hymen and make it “breakable”, there is no guarantee that it will break from intercourse or that breaking it will cause bleeding.

References

  1. Moussaoui D, Abdulcadir J, Yaron M. Hymen and virginity: What every paediatrician should know. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Published online January 8, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.15887
  2. Logmans A, Verhoeff A, Raap RB, Creighton F, Lent M v. Ethical dilemma: Should doctors reconstruct the vaginal introitus of adolescent girls to mimic the virginal state? (Who wants the procedure and why). BMJ. 1998;316(7129):459-460. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.316.7129.459