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UROGYN Woman Clinic
Hymenoplasty at UROGYN Woman Clinic

vaginal tunic repair

Hymenoplasty

Surgery that restores the hymen so that bleeding occurs during sex

Hymenoplasty is surgery that repairs the hymen so that bleeding occurs during sex.

The thin, folded membrane across the vaginal entrance is correctly called the hymen, or 'vaginal membrane'. We operate meticulously, using a double closure rather than a single one, to reduce the risk of needing repeat surgery. It takes about 30 minutes, anesthesia is adjusted as needed, and you go home the same day. Depending on its form, the hymen may be difficult to restore.

Why UROGYN performs hymenoplasty

Some people still believe the hymen is 'a membrane that shows whether a woman is a virgin'.

We perform it for women who want to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding or who wish to recreate the experience of a first night.

CHECKLIST

Hymenoplasty may be an option for you if

  • your hymen has torn through no choice of your own
  • you were born without a hymen

vaginal tunic repair

Different forms of the hymen

Some women are born without a hymen, while in others it is thick and does not tear. Contrary to popular belief, sex is not the only thing that damages the hymen. It may be absent from birth, or it may be damaged by strenuous exercise or tear naturally.

  • A diagram of a hymen with the ideal form
    Ideal form
  • A diagram of a cribriform hymen
    Cribriform
  • A diagram of a septate hymen
    Septate
  • A diagram of an imperforate hymen
    Imperforate
  • A diagram of a damaged hymen
    Damaged

Depending on its form, the hymen may be difficult to restore.

Surgery that restores the hymen

Key features of hymenoplasty

The hymen is such a thin membrane that, once stitched, it may not heal together well or may tear naturally again. Drawing on many years of experience in vaginal surgery, we operate in a way that reduces the likelihood of repeat surgery.

  1. Double closure with delicate surgery

    We operate meticulously, using a double closure rather than a single one, to reduce the risk of needing repeat surgery.

  2. Simple surgery with same-day discharge

    It is a simple procedure, so you can go home the same day.

  3. Precise surgery, with sex possible the same day

    The tissue is joined meticulously, so sex is possible on the same day. For bleeding to occur, you need to have sex between the day of surgery and 3 days afterwards at the latest.

vaginal tunic repair

Before and after

  1. Before hymenoplasty: a damaged, torn hymen
    Damaged and torn
    After hymenoplasty: a cleanly restored hymen
    Cleanly restored

The procedure

Duration
About 30 min
Anesthesia
Adjusted as needed
Hospital stay
Same-day discharge
Recovery
Sex possible straight away

Frequently asked questions

What is hymenoplasty?
It is surgery that repairs the hymen so that bleeding occurs during sex. The thin, folded membrane across the vaginal entrance is correctly called the hymen, or 'vaginal membrane'.
Is the hymen damaged only by sex?
No. Contrary to popular belief, sex is not the only thing that damages the hymen. It may be absent from birth, or it may be damaged by strenuous exercise or tear naturally.
Who might need this surgery?
It may be needed if your hymen has torn through no choice of your own, or if you were born without one.
When can I have sex after surgery?
The tissue is joined meticulously, so sex is possible on the same day. For bleeding to occur, you need to have sex between the day of surgery and 3 days afterwards at the latest.
Can anyone's hymen be restored?
Depending on its form, the hymen may be difficult to restore. It is such a thin membrane that, once stitched, it may not heal together well or may tear naturally again.
How long does the surgery take, and is there a hospital stay?
It takes about 30 minutes. Anesthesia is adjusted to your needs, and as it is a simple procedure, you can go home the same day.
Is it right to call the hymen a 'virgin membrane'?
No. The thin, folded membrane across the vaginal entrance is correctly called the hymen, or 'vaginal membrane'. Some people still believe it is 'a membrane that shows whether a woman is a virgin', but that is not the case.
What difference does the double-closure method make?
The hymen is such a thin membrane that, once stitched, it may not heal together well or may tear naturally again. We operate meticulously, using a double closure rather than a single one, which reduces the likelihood of repeat surgery.
Does the result depend on the form of the hymen?
The hymen is classed as ideal, cribriform, septate, imperforate or damaged. Some women are born without a hymen, while in others it is thick and does not tear. Depending on its form, the hymen may be difficult to restore.
Why is this surgery performed?
We perform it for women who want to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding about the hymen or who wish to recreate the experience of a first night.
How does the hymen look before and after surgery?
A damaged, torn hymen is restored to a clean, intact state. You can see this in the before and after images on this page.

Find the right approach for you Start with a consultation

One-to-one consultations by phone or KakaoTalk.

Mon–Fri 10:00~19:00 · Sat 10:00~16:00 (Lunch 13:00~14:00)

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Before your surgery or procedure

Results and recovery times vary from person to person. Side effects such as swelling, bruising, pain, infection and pigmentation may occur at the treated area. We decide on the method only after a thorough consultation and examination. Please discuss the details with your doctor at your appointment.

Medically reviewed byObstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Kim Kwan-soo, Director