Does hymen surgery help?

[Arch456]

Hi, I was diagnosed with vaginismus in December 2019, 6 months after getting married and trying to have sex and failing. I was only able to start pelvic floor physical therapy in July 2020 due to covid. I am using the dilators and it’s been a long process.

In the meantime, my husband and I are quite anxious about getting pregnant too. I have been seeing a fertility specialist to consider fertility treatment if necessary. As I am unable to undergo the fertility tests while awake due to my vaginismus, I will be undergoing the fertility testing under general anaesthesia. The doctor who examined me also recommended hymen surgery to release my hymen which she says is tight and thick – she will make some incisions and suture.

Has anyone else had hymen surgery to release the hymen and has it been helpful with dealing with vaginismus? I understand that I will still have to continue with physical therapy and dilation but if the hymen surgery is going to help at least a little, I figured there’s no harm? But it looks like there are varied opinions on the effectiveness of the surgery.

[Heather]

Hi Archa456! I too had a hymenectomy. I am unsure if it helped with my vaginismus, because at the same time I was also undergoing the BOTOX procedure for my vaginismus. But absolutely, I don’t think it would hurt! When I got it done, Melissa from here at Maze, told me that mine was also thick and big. She said it would have been very difficult for my husband to pop it himself. With that out of the way, you may have an easier time dilating. The thing is, you still must dilate even right after the procedure. Because you don’t want the hymen to heal back together. Your doctor can prescribe some numbing agent you can add to your lube. You only need it for a few day though. It really isn’t bad I swear! I hope this works out for you! I definitely think it’s a good idea to give it a shot. Good for you for taking these steps towards a vaginismus free future! You’re so strong and you got this 🙂

[mazemelissa]

Hymenectomy surgery can definitely help if the hymenal tissue is causing any type of barrier to penetration. If your gynecologist noted that your hymen is thick and tight, then I for sure would recommend the procedure.

Removal of the hymen may not be the full answer, but it will help make dilation easier, and probably less painful if you are not stretching tight hymenal tissue with penetration.

I believe it will help.

[Arch456]

Thank you Heather and Melissa. Sorry about the delay in responding. So I had the fertility tests done under anaesthesia. But the doctors decided not to proceed with the hymen surgery as the hymen did expand during the other procedures that were being done. So it appears that the hymen itself is not actually a barrier to penetration.

I have continued with stretching and dilation at home. But was not able to get the smallest dilator more than an inch inside. However, today when I went to the doctor’s office to attempt an ultrasound and insertion of speculum, I actually managed to do it! It took a while but with my doctor being patient and the assistant being helpful and encouraging, we managed to get the ultrasound probe all the way in. She also inserted a speculum that is bigger and longer than the pediatric one that I have been able to tolerate so far. It felt like a major improvement given that 3 months ago, it was impossible to even get the ultrasound probe in and I would have literally cried seeing the size of the speculum.

I am booking more physical therapy appointments now to continue and hopefully be able to make further and consisten improvement.

[Heather]

Hi Arch456! Congratulations!!!!! That is HUGE! You are going to crush this vaginismus! Physical therapy is amazing, good for you! You’re taking all the right steps forward, in no time this will all be in your past. Please let us know if there is any guidance you need along the rest of your journey 🙂 And don’t forget, consistency kills vaginismus!

[recessivegenequeen]

Congrats on your progress, Arch456! I know you’ve worked really hard to reach this point, but just look at how far you’ve come and remember what you’re capable of! Having a dedicated care team that is patient and supportive makes a huge difference – I’m glad you’ve found that network.

Let us know of any questions that come up along the way!

[Arch456]

Thank you Heather and Recessivegenequeen for your kind and encouraging words. It’s motivating to hear from you ladies who have overcome vaginismus and gives me hope that I can get there too! Will definitely update on my progress and reach out for advice along the way.

[recessivegenequeen]

I’m glad to help! It really is hard but a lot of women have made it to the other side so you are not alone! We are here for you and cheering you on!

[Arch456]

Hello all, just wanted to provide an update on my situation. So we did an IUI procedure last month to get pregnant but were not successful and are trying again this month. As part of the IUI treatment, I had to have a transvaginal ultrasound done twice and have a speculum inserted for the actual IUI insemination. My doctor was very understanding and she briefed the sonographer and the nurse who did the procedures on my condition. I took a Valium before each visit to the doctors office and they were very patient and worked with me. It takes a while (at least 15 to 30 minutes) but we have been able to insert the ultrasound probe and speculum all the way in each time.

I have also made progress during my pelvic floor physical therapy sessions. My therapist is very happy with my progress at the sessions. But until today, I was not able to insert the dilator all the way in on my own at home. I usually give up after 10 to 15 minutes when I hit a sore or painful spot and usually only get about one inch in. But today, I decided to continue slowly and after about 30 minutes or so, I managed to insert the dilator all the way in. It’s the smallest dilator that I have been using for months but it still felt like a huge achievement for me and wanted to share it with y’all.

I feel more confident now about overcoming this condition. I know it’s taking some time now but at least I consciously know that it is possible to insert a dilator/ultrasound probe/speculum/finger. So with time and practice, hopefully insertion and penetration will be possible without too much difficulty.

[recessivegenequeen]

Hi Arch456 – thanks for this update! I’m so glad to hear you’re seeing progress, and especially that you’re not giving up on yourself. Vaginismus treatment can be infuriatingly slow at times, but you’ve identified the most important thing to keep in mind at every stage, which is that it’s physically possible to insert things, and if you’ve done it once, you can do it again. As long as you remember this, even on the days when your body is less cooperative and you can’t do things you did before, you’ll make more and more progress over time. It’s so exciting that you’re starting to take the steps you need to have a baby – best of luck on all fronts and you are so brave to be undertaking this!