An imperforate hymen is when your hymen blocks the opening to your vagina. It can cause painful symptoms and a lack of a period. But there’s a treatment to fix it. After treatment, an imperforate hymen rarely affects your ability to use tampons, have sex, get pregnant or have a vaginal delivery.
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An imperforate hymen is a rare condition where your hymen covers the opening to your vagina. It’s something you’re born with (it’s congenital). Researchers estimate that it affects 1 in 1,000 females.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
The hymen is extra tissue that usually surrounds the opening of your vagina. If you have an imperforate hymen, this tissue blocks the opening. It causes issues with periods (menstruation) because there’s no hole for period blood to come out of.
If you haven’t gotten your period yet and have pain in your lower stomach (pelvis) every month, this condition may be the cause. You should talk to your healthcare provider about it.
If you have an imperforate hymen, you may not know it until you reach puberty and start having issues with your period.
Symptoms happen because period blood backs up into your vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes. They can include:
If you have an imperforate hymen, you’re usually still ovulating and menstruating. But the blood can’t leave your body. You don’t have a typical period because the blood is blocked from exiting your vagina. A surgery can open your hymen so that you can have typical periods. It’ll relieve any pain you may have from the backed-up blood.
An imperforate hymen happens when the hymen forms differently during fetal development. But scientists don’t know what causes the difference. There’s nothing you can do to prevent it.
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A healthcare provider may detect an imperforate hymen at birth during a newborn’s physical exam. It often looks like a small bulge. But many females don’t know they have one until puberty.
A healthcare provider (usually a gynecologist) can diagnose it by closely looking at your hymen during an external pelvic exam. In some cases, your provider may suggest an ultrasound or other imaging to see the tissue better and confirm the condition.
Your first pelvic exam may bring some anxiety because you don’t know what to expect. If you’re uncomfortable at any point, say so. You have control over your body.
A minor surgery called a hymenectomy can open or remove the extra hymenal tissue. If a baby has an imperforate hymen, most healthcare providers will wait until they’re older to do the surgery.
During a hymenectomy, a gynecologist uses tools to cut an opening in your hymen and remove the extra tissue. The trapped blood drains out. They use absorbable stitches to secure the hymenal tissue into your vaginal wall. This creates an opening.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience pelvic pain, missed periods or other symptoms of an imperforate hymen.
If you’ve had surgery to repair an imperforate hymen, call your provider if:
A hymenectomy is generally a safe and effective treatment for an imperforate hymen. Most people heal from it without any issues. You’ll get a menstrual period and be able to use tampons.
A treated imperforate hymen rarely affects your ability to use tampons, have sex, get pregnant or have a vaginal delivery. If you have any questions about what this condition means for you, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider.
You may be wondering why you haven’t gotten your period yet. This timing naturally varies from girl to girl. But sometimes an imperforate hymen can be the cause, especially if you have other symptoms. If you’re having pain or fullness in your belly, it’s a good idea to see your healthcare provider. Talking about your genitals may feel awkward. But it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s an important part of your health. And your provider is there to help you, not judge you.
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Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
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