"Sewed girl" pronounced "virgin": hymenoplasty and the shift in rhetoric of virginity in Iran.

In late 2018, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi posted a fatwa approving hymenoplasty for women who had lost their virginity before marriage, arguing that the medical procedure could restore a woman's virginity and therefore her honour. Hymenoplasty, which restores a woman's hymen to its 'virgin' state, is a highly controversial procedure in Iranian society because it strikes at the heart of the purist feminine ideal promoted by the Islamic Republic. For an ayatollah with a conservative reputation to sanction such a procedure seemed antithetical to his position in the regime. On closer inspection, however, it is possible to see his comment as a rhetorical attempt to assert control. Recent social changes, including an increase in the number of educated women and the emergence of new communication technologies, have challenged the rigidity of the old order as women take advantage of emerging freedoms of action and expression. Ayatollah Makarem's fatwa endorsing hymenoplasty can be read as a response to this perceived threat. This essay draws on Kenneth Burke's rhetorical theory to argue that Ayatollah's fatwa should be seen less as a tolerant recognition of social change and more as an attempt to maintain order. Fearing that women might begin to question and reject the entire moral order of the regime, he approves of hymenoplasty to prevent what Burke calls the 'weak in virtue' from falling into 'the strong in sin'.

Himen imperforat en el diagnòstic diferencial de la massa vaginal / Himen imperforado en el diagnóstico diferencial de la masa vaginal / Imperforate hymen in the differential diagnosis of a vaginal mass

Introducció. L’himen és una membrana que envolta i cobreix parcialment l’introit vaginal. La presència d’un himen imperforat pot passar desapercebuda, donar símptomes obstructius de l’aparell genital i del tracte urinari en el període neonatal o presentar-se com a dolor abdominal amb amenorrea en l’adolescència, com a clínica més freqüent. Cas clínic. Presentem el cas d’una pacient de dos mesos amb diagnòstic d’himen imperforat, amb una fístula preauricular esquerra i una hèrnia umbilical concomitant. Davant de la manca de simptomatologia, s’adopta una conducta expectant fins als quatre anys; amb la persistència de l’hèrnia umbilical, s’indica la cirurgia correctora dels tres defectes, que es duu a terme sense incidències. Posteriorment, la pacient presenta una evolució correcta sense recidives. Comentari. L’obstrucció vaginal congènita sol detectar-se clínicament en la pubertat i és diagnosticada de forma poc freqüent durant el període de lactant. L’himen imperforat és la malformació congènita vaginal i l’anomalia obstructiva de l’aparell reproductor femení més freqüent, però no és l’única; per aquest motiu, és important fer un correcte diagnòstic diferencial de les masses vaginals, per donar el millor tractament dirigit i evitar una morbimortalitat més alta dels pacients. (AU)

Introducción. El himen es una membrana que rodea y cubre parcialmente el introito vaginal. La presencia de un himen imperforado puede pasar desapercibida, dar síntomas obstructivos del aparato genital y del tracto urinario en el período neonatal o presentarse como dolor abdominal con amenorrea en la adolescencia, como clínica más frecuente. Caso clínico. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de dos meses con diagnóstico de himen imperforado, con una fístula preauricular izquierda y una hernia umbilical concomitante. Ante la ausencia de sintomatología, se adopta una conducta expectante hasta los cuatro años; con la persistencia de la hernia umbilical se indica la cirugía correctora de los tres defectos, que se lleva a cabo sin incidencias. Posteriormente, la paciente presenta una correcta evolución sin recidivas. Comentario. La obstrucción vaginal congénita suele detectarse clínicamente en la pubertad y es diagnosticada de forma poco frecuente durante el período de lactante. El himen imperforado es la malformación congénita vaginal y la anomalía obstructiva del aparato reproductor femenino más frecuente, pero no es la única; por este motivo, es importante la realización de un correcto diagnóstico diferencial de las masas vaginales para dar el mejor tratamiento dirigido y evitar una mayor morbimortalidad en los pacientes. (AU)

Introduction. The hymen is a membrane that surrounds and partially covers the vaginal entrance. The presence of an imperforate hymen may go unnoticed, give obstructive symptoms of the genital tract and urinary tract in the neonatal period, or most commonly present as abdominal pain with amenorrhea in adolescence. Case report. We present a two-month-old girl diagnosed with imperforate hymen, with a left preauricular fistula and a concomitant umbilical hernia. In the absence of symptoms, conservative management was followed until four years of age, when with the persistence of the umbilical hernia corrective surgery of the three defects was performed without complications. Comments. Congenital vaginal obstruction usually occurs clinically during puberty and is rarely diagnosed during infancy. Imperforate hymen is the most common congenital vaginal malformation and obstructive anomaly of the female reproductive tract, although not the only one; for this reason, it is important to make a correct differential diagnosis of a vaginal mass in children to optimize management. (AU)

A gynaecological examination could have prevented a long and painful diagnostic work-up of a patient with hymen imperforatus.

Haematocolpos, caused by imperforate hymen, is a rare condition where menstrual blood accumulates in the vagina. Adolescent girls presenting with amenorrhoea, cyclical abdominal pain, and pelvis mass should be evaluated for this condition. Diagnosis requires a gynaecological examination. However, myths surrounding the hymen may impede proper medical care. Addressing these misconceptions is essential for promoting gynaecological care and ensuring timely evaluation and treatment. This case report emphasises the significance of effective communication in preventing misdiagnoses and care delays.

Hymenal Anomalies Interfering with Dilation in Women with Mullerian Agenesis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Women with Mullerian agenesis, also known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH), have aplasia or hypoplasia of the uterus and vagina. Regular use of dilators can successfully create a functional vagina in up to 95% of cases. We present 3 women with Mullerian agenesis who failed dilation therapy due to pain and were subsequently found to have hymenal anomalies. CASES: Patients presented at age 16 or 17 to initiate dilation. Initial attempts were discontinued due to pain. On examination, a septate hymen was identified in 2 patients and a microperforate hymen in 1 patient. All patients underwent hymenectomy and thereafter continued dilation with less discomfort. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: These cases illustrate the importance of recognizing and treating hymenal anomalies in women with Mullerian agenesis to prevent pain, leading to unsuccessful dilation.

Reproductive health challenges of an African school girl: a case report on non-bulging imperforate hymen with haematocolpometra during Covid-19 pandemic.

Background: Several schoolgirls attain reproductive age with undiagnosed gynaecological problems which pose challenges in their livelihood. These conditions include precocious puberty, congenital reproductive tract abnormalities, and delayed sexual development. Many children with these conditions face additional challenges including physical pain, psychological trauma and delayed diagnosis. Methods: A 14-year-old girl presented with acute on chronic pelvic pain and haematocolpometra due to imperforate hymen during COVID-19 pandemic. She has not undergone cultural virginity test in her community. The hymenal membrane was unusually non-bulging despite the haematocolpometra. A partial hymenotomy with a narrow margin of excision was performed. Results: The hymenal orifice later obliterated and resulted in a repeat partial hymenectomy where a wide surgical margin of the hymen was excised. Conclusions: A wide rather than narrow partial hymenectomy prevents obliteration of the hymenal orifice after surgery for imperforate hymen. There is a need for timely interventions such as counselling and community awareness that prevent undue consequences of an imperforate hymen and its treatment including pain and possible inability to pass cultural virginity test in some African communities.

An Adolescent in the Emergency Department with Pelvic Pain: Imperforate Hymen.

Imperforate hymen is a cause of pelvic pain in adolescent females who have not reached menarche. There is scant literature on adolescent gynecology for the emergency provider. The literature about the adolescent with imperforate hymen is usually in a case report format. A patient with imperforate hymen is presented in this article. The purpose of this case study was to review the urgent presentation of imperforate hymen. Advanced emergency providers need to consider the possibility of imperforate hymen in the list of differential diagnoses for pelvic pain in adolescent females. Prompt diagnosis of imperforate hymen allows the emergency provider to initiate gynecological referral for definitive treatment.

Familial occurrence of concomitant imperforate hymen and transverse vaginal septum: a case report.

The imperforate hymen and transverse vaginal septum are female reproductive tract abnormalities. Their concurrent occurrence is rare. So far, no manifestation of both anomalies within the same family has been reported in the literature. We report the first familial case of two sisters having both mentioned abnormalities. Our patient was the youngest sister of a 14-year-old, who presented with cyclic lower abdominal pain. Clinical and imaging examinations showed an imperforate hymen with hematometrocolpos. In addition, the surgery confirmed a low transverse vaginal septum, which was resected using a virginity-preserving procedure. In conclusion, the presence of both mentioned abnormalities between siblings reflects a potential genetic etiology, also in order to avoid late diagnostics of such anomalies, the imperforate hymen must be screened in the birth room.

Evaluation of hymenal adhesions resection in the treatment of recurrent post-coital cystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the technique of hymenal adhesions resection in the treatment of recurrent post-coital cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocentric retrospective observational study including patients operated for hymenal adhesions resection between 2013 and 2020. The indication was based on the association of 4 conditions: at least 3 episodes of documented cystitis per year, a post-coital rhythm, a failure of preventing hygienic and dietary rules, a negative etiological assessment except for the existence of hymenal adhesions. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included. The procedures were performed on an outpatient basis. With a mean follow-up of 36.5 months (standard deviation: 22.3), 21 patients (91%) reported a correction of recurrent post-coital cystitis, 16 (70%) had 1 to 2 annual episodes of cystitis, 19 (83%) reported improvement with surgery and satisfaction was rated on average at 8.5/10 (standard deviation: 2.15). None of the 23 patients had persistent documented recurrent cystitis after surgery, 12 (52%) had 1 to 2 documented episodes annually, and 11 (48%) had no documented recurrence. Three cases of postoperative complications were observed: vulvovaginitis, delayed healing, and pyelonephritis. No cases of dyspareunia were reported during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: In case of post-coital cystitis, accompanied by hymenal adhesions, and without any other identified cause, the removal of hymenal adhesions could be an alternative to iterative antibiotic therapy.

Imperforate Hymen: Clinical Pearls and Implications of Management.

Imperforate hymen is a common condition that with classic appearance and presentation in puberty. This may be diagnosed in a neonate when mucocolpos is noted. There are many great pretenders of this condition, but the hallmarks include a bulging hymen with blue hue at puberty. If this is not seen on external genital exam, the provider should proceed with magnetic resonance imaging to better assess the reproductive tract anatomy before engaging in surgery. For providers uncomfortable in managing conditions often confused with an imperforate hymen, referral to a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologist or specialist comfortable managing these conditions, is recommended.

Hymenal atresia - a rare congenital anomaly with the risk of late diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive analysis of causes, clinical signs, dia-gnostic process, differential dia-gnosis and therapy of hymenal atresia. METHODS: Literature search using the Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed databases with keywords and analysis of articles published in high impact and reviewed journals. RESULTS: Hymenal atresia is a congenital malformation of a womans genitals, which is manifested by complete obstruction of the vaginal introitus by a closed hymen. It should be dia-gnosed in the neonatal period, but clinically it usually manifests itself only during puberty as a result of menstrual blood retention (cryptomenorrhea) with the cyclic abdominal pain at monthly intervals. The therapy is based on optimally timed surgical creation of communication in the hymen (hymenotomy, hymenectomy) enabling free evacuation of menstrual contents. The aim of this simple treatment method is immediate subjective relief from pain and a permanent solution to this congenital anomaly. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of all types of congenital malformations of the female genitalia is a basic condition for an early and effective dia-gnostic process in adolescent girls with abdominal pain. The girl who has not yet menstruated and has cyclic lower abdominal pain and a tumor behind the pubic symphysis should be examined by a specialist in pediatric and adolescent gynecology who will confirm hymenal atresia according to a bluish and closed hymen, and suggest prompt and effective therapy.

Characteristics of fetal physiological and pathological uterine effusion observed on prenatal ultrasonography: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The prenatal detection rate of fetal uterine effusion is very low, and current case reports mainly focus on pathological hydrometrocolpos. We presented two cases of fetal physiological uterine effusion with different ultrasonic characteristics and compared them with one case of hydrometrocolpos with the hope of identifying strategies to reduce misdiagnosis of fetal uterine effusion. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper reports the cases of two female fetuses with abnormal pelvic echoes in the third trimester, referred to a tertiary center to be screened for suspected pelvic teratoma and cystic mass, respectively. Ultrasound consultation revealed fetal uterine effusion. The two fetuses were delivered at our hospital after a full term. Re-examining the uterus and adnexa of the neonates revealed that the uterine effusion had subsided naturally. Another female fetus had a large cystic mass in the pelvic cavity in the third trimester, and prenatal examination indicated fetal hydrometrocolpos. The fetus was delivered at our hospital after a full term. The hydrometrocolpos existed even after birth. After consultation with a neonatal surgeon and gynecologist, the newborn was diagnosed with congenital imperforate hymen with hydrometrocolpos. Hymen puncture and open drainage led to a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal ultrasonography plays an important role in diagnosing and differentiating between physiological and pathological fetal uterine effusion. It can help reduce misdiagnoses that can lead to incorrect clinical decisions.

Abdominal swelling and obstructive uropathy due to hematometrocolpos secondary to imperforate hymen: a case report.

Imperforate hymen is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the female genital tract and can lead to the collection of blood in the vagina and the uterus. Most patients are not diagnosed until menarche when they present with symptoms such as cyclic abdominal and pelvic pain, constipation, tenesmus, back pain, and difficulties with urination in association with lack of menses. We discuss the case of an adolescent female who presented with the complaint of an increasing abdominal swelling along with the urgency and a sense of incomplete urination. She had not attained menarche. A diagnosis of hematometrocolpos was made based on computed tomography findings. Subsequent perineal examination revealed a bulging imperforate hymen. Hymenotomy was performed with complete resolution of the symptoms. This case highlights the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for this condition in patients presenting with these symptoms and the importance of appropriate gynecologic examination.

Hymen and virginity: What every paediatrician should know.

Paediatricians may face the notion of 'virginity' in various situations while caring for children and adolescents, but are often poorly prepared to address this sensitive topic. Virginity is a social construct. Despite medical evidence that there is no scientifically reliable way to determine virginity, misconceptions about the hymen and its supposed association with sexual history persist and lead to unethical practices like virginity testing, certificate of virginity or hymenoplasty, which can be detrimental to the health and well-being of females of all ages. The paediatrician has a crucial role in providing evidence-based information and promoting positive sexual education to children, adolescents and parents. Improving knowledge can help counter misconceptions and reduce harms to girls and women.