Hymenoplasty

Also referred to as “revirgination,” this is a minor operation that reconstructs the hymen — the thin membrane that partly covers the vagina and is typically torn during first sexual intercourse. It is possible only for women who have not had a vaginal delivery, and preferably have never been pregnant. Hymenoplasty is often done to assure virginity before marriage, or after marriage to revisit the experience of first intercourse. The surgery takes only a few minutes and is undetectable. The reconstructed hymen will tear and bleed again during sexual intercourse. The hymen is a mythical symbol of chasteness in women, and its presence has been considered a guarantee of virginity in a society that places a high value on female chastity before marriage. However, the delicate hymen is easily ruptured even without sexual relations, such as during physical exercise, bike riding, gymnastics, or using tampons. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, vaginal surgery and hymenoplasty are the fastestgrowing segments of cosmetic surgery. This is partly because of the influx of people from the Middle East and Latin America, where the bridetobe may undergo inspection before marriage to ensure virginity. The procedure typically costs from $1,800 to $5,000 or more in the U.S. In Thailand and some other countries, it is as little as $200.

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"For her 17th wedding anniversary, Jeanette Yarborough, a 40 year old medical assistant from San Antonio, wanted to do something special for her husband. She paid a surgeon $5,000 to reattach her hymen, making her appear to be a virgin again. “It’s the ultimate gift for the man who has everything,” she said. — reported in Wall Street Journal

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