The hymen is a thin membrane that covers the entrance to the vagina and appears to protect against the frequent onset of infections in the female reproductive system. Usually, girls are born with a small hole in this membrane to allow access to the vagina, however, some can be born with the membrane completely closed, causing discomfort, especially when menstruation arises.
Thus, many girls may not know that they have imperforate hymen until the first menstruation arises, since the blood can not get out and therefore accumulates inside the vagina, generating symptoms such as intense abdominal pain and sensation of weight on the bottom of the belly, for example.
In addition, the lack of perforation in the hymen also prevents sexual intercourse, and it is necessary to perform a minor surgery to cut the hymen and create a perforation similar to the one that should have existed since birth.
Possible symptoms
The first symptoms of imperforate hymen arise during puberty and are mainly due to the accumulation of menstrual blood that can not get through the vaginal canal. In these cases, the signs may include:
- Feeling of weight in the bottom of the belly;
- Severe abdominal pain;
- Back pain;
- Difficulty urinating;
- Pain when evacuating.
In addition, girls who show all signs of developing puberty but who appear to be delayed at the time of menstruation may also have an imperforate hymen, so a gynecologist should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis.
In the case of the baby, the imperforate hymen is only identified if the doctor makes a detailed genital evaluation or if the hymen forms a small pouch that is easily seen in the vagina.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of imperforate hymen is almost always done by observing the vaginal canal by the doctor, after the description of the symptoms. However, there are also cases where the doctor chooses to have a pelvic ultrasound to confirm that this is not another gynecological problem.
Since the problem is present from birth, there are some girls in whom the diagnosis is made a few days after birth, still in the maternity. In these cases, parents may choose to make the treatment or wait for the girl to grow up and reach adolescence.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment for imperforate hymen is done through a minor surgery, in which the doctor cuts the hymen and removes excess tissue, creating a natural-like opening.
Depending on the woman, the doctor may need to recommend the use of a small dilator to keep the hymen open and prevent it from reclosing. This dilator is similar to an internal absorbent and should be used for 15 minutes a day during the recovery period.
In cases where the imperforate hymen is identified in the baby by the pediatrician, surgery can be done right away or parents can choose to wait for the girl to grow, to reduce the risk of complications from surgery.
