Dr. Richa Gupta

Hymenoplasty, a medical term for hymen repair surgery, is a procedure of reconstructing the thin skin membrane made of elastic and fibrous tissue known as the hymen. Colloquially termed as revirgination, the purpose of hymenoplasty is to reconstruct the hymen, which often gets torn due to injury or extensive exercise. In some countries, the surgery is illegal due to social and cultural reasons.

How is hymenoplasty performed?
The hymen may be torn while cycling or performing gymnastics. In some cases, it is seen that a woman’s hymen is torn even before the first intercourse. In this surgery, the edges of the torn hymen are stitched together to make it whole again. The tissues involved gradually grow back and take the appearance of a natural hymen. In some cases, the vaginal walls are also tightened for achieving a virgin-like form. The process typically takes around half an hour, and the area is coated with antibiotic ointment so that it heals within a short span of time. At times, there are no hymeneal remnants, or the available parts cannot be used. In such a situation, the surgeon reduces the opening of the vagina with the help of vaginal mucous tissue. When it becomes impossible to reconstruct the hymen, surgeons opt for hymen implantation, which functions in a similar way as that of a natural hymen.

What are the benefits of hymenoplasty?
For many women, hymenoplasty is nothing but a useless extravagance; but for some, this aesthetic surgery brings a host of benefits which may include making the first night of courtship special by regaining that symbol of virginity and possessing a sense of personal comfort and ownership. In some cultures as well as religious communities, a high value is imposed on virgins before marriage. In communities that consider hymen to be a proof of sexual status, rupture of the same can bring about a social disaster. In such situations, hymenoplasty can come to the rescue.

Who is a good candidate for hymenoplasty?
Women who are healthy enough and have realistic expectations about the surgery are the best candidates for hymenoplasty. Hymen reconstruction can help a woman to enjoy her virginity once again. In case the woman is suffering from any relationship crisis owing to rupture of the hymen, then experts suggest that she must consult with a family and a relationship counselor as well.

How long does it take it recover from hymenoplasty?
In most cases, patients can return to their usual routines the day following the surgery. But it is crucial to avoid strenuous work or exercise. If you have undergone dissolvable suture, then there is no need to remove it. Regardless of the type of stitch, it is critical to attend to the follow-up treatment to ensure a safe and effortless healing of the hymen. One must wait at least 3 to 4 weeks before indulging in sexual intercourse.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS is a condition in which a woman experiences fluctuation of hormone levels, estrogen, and progesterone which causes cysts in her ovaries, dysfunctional menstrual cycle, cardiac problem, fertility and changes in appearance. Hormones are chemical messengers that can trigger a number of issues in the body. Long term problems due to PCOS can be avoided with an early diagnosis and a proper treatment.

Causes

• Genetics and hormonal imbalance have been identified as the main causes of PCOS although the exact reason has not been discovered.
• Overproduction of androgen, a male hormone in a woman can cause small lumps in the ovaries, irregular development of eggs and abnormal insulin level.

Symptoms
The severity of the symptoms depends on the constitution of the person but the most common one is irregular periods. PCOS occurs when there is a decrease in sex hormones which can lead to the development of certain male features like:

• Deeper voice
• Growth of hair on face, toes, stomach, chest and back
• Reduction in breast size
• Loss and thinning of hair

There are other symptoms as well which can help one to determine the syndrome including:

• Oily skin leading to acne
• Irregular egg formation causing fertility problems and miscarriages
• Depression, anxiety and mood swings
• Hyperinsulinemia, that refers to the presence of too much insulin in the body which can cause obesity
• Difficulty in breathing while sleeping

The severity of the symptoms varies but if you are experiencing any of these problems, it is advisable to seek a professional consultation. A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, nutritious diets are some of the preventive measures you can take. There are hormone regulating medicines and treatments that attempt to curb the condition but there is no permanent cure.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hypertension or high blood pressure is common in pregnant women, even in those who have no previous history of high blood pressure. This leads to complications in about 6% to 10% of all pregnancies around the world. High blood pressure may develop before or after conception and as such needs special medical attention.

Hypertension prevents sufficient flow of blood to the placenta and this inhibits the normal growth of the fetus. This could result in low birth weight of the child. However, if diagnosed in time and treated properly, hypertension does not affect the child's health too much. There are various types of hypertension during pregnancies, such as:

1. Gestational hypertension: This type of hypertension is developed about 20 weeks after conception. There is no abnormality in urine or any signs of other organ damage (as is common with hypertension during pregnancy) but the condition can worsen and complicate very quickly. Pregnant women below the age of 20 and above the age of 40 are often diagnosed with high levels of blood pressure. Women who have heart or kidney conditions before pregnancy and women carrying more than one child are also likely to develop gestational hypertension.
2. Chronic hypertension: Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure which develops around 20 weeks before conception and does not normalize within 12 weeks after childbirth. The patient may also have been suffering from high blood pressure for a long time but the complications appear only during pregnancy because high blood pressure rarely exhibits symptoms without an associated condition.
3. Chronic hypertension superimposed with Preeclampsia: Women who have hypertension before pregnancy may develop even higher blood pressure levels during pregnancy. This leads to several health disorders like frequent headaches, fatigue and depression. Sometimes, protein is found in the urine.
4. Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is often a serious complication of gestational pregnancy and affects about 5% to 7% of all pregnancies globally. Gestational pregnancy does not always develop into preeclampsia but it needs to be diagnosed and treated in time to avoid the complication. Women who have conceived for the first time or have a history of hypertension in the family are at a greater risk of preeclampsia. The symptoms of the condition are throbbing headaches, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, pain in the upper abdominal region and shortness of breath.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Fibroids are non-cancerous growth that develop in the uterus in varying sizes. Fibroids do not usually show symptoms, but if they are large they may cause severe pain in the abdomen, heavy menstrual bleeding, bloating, infertility or complications during pregnancy. Several factors may lead to the formation of fibroids, including hormones, family history, and pregnancy.

What is myomectomy?

Myomectomy is the surgical procedure which is used for removing fibroids from the uterus. It is a safe method that allows women to become pregnant in future. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue therapy, performed before myomectomy helps in lowering the estrogen level and also controls anemia by stopping uterine bleeding. The different surgical methods for myomectomy include:

• Hysteroscopy, involving the insertion of a lighted viewing instrument into the uterus
• Laparoscopy, involving the insertion of a lighted viewing instrument and one or more incisions in the abdomen
• Laparotomy, involving a larger incision made in the abdomen

Why is the surgery performed?

Myomectomy treats fibroids while preserving the uterus. It is a viable option for those who have:

• Anemia which cannot be controlled with medicines
• Pain which cannot be tackled with medicines
• A fibroid that can cause infertility or increases the risk of miscarriages

How well does it work?

• Pregnancy: myomectomy is the only treatment for treating fibroids that improve your chances of having a baby. The method is effective for treating submucosal fibroid. A cesarean section is required for delivery after performing a myomectomy.
• Recurrence: recurrence of fibroids after myomectomy is really low. It is possible in rare cases, depending on what the original fibroid problem was. Large and numerous fibroids have a greater risk of recurrence. Consult an expert & get answers to your questions!