Problem with Hymen

My daughter had a problem with hers as well, the opening not being all the way open. The Doctor was going to provide cream but did some research and a consult and it was not completely closed but almost and the Doctor told me we could wait for adolsecences as many seem to open with the influx of hormones, otherwose they could prescribe a hormone cream but wanted to hold off giving her hormones at a young age.
She has not had any adverse prioblems.
H.

Hi V. R:
Allow me to preface what I am about to say with; I am a medically retired Physician Assistant Certified in both PA & AK, I am also a certified Midwife.
I am hoping that this explanation will help you a bit.
There are several different formations of the hymen, some more common than others.
In about 1 in 2000 females, the hymen fails to develop any opening at all. This is called an imperforate hymen and if it does not spontaneously resolve itself before puberty a physician will need to make a hole in the hymen to allow menstrual fluids to escape. A hymenotomy may also be required if the hymen is particularly thick or inelastic as it may interfere with sexual intercourse.
Most common forms of the hymen:

When considering the shape of the hymen one must be examining the patient in the prone position on their back with 12 O'clock being on top by the belly and 6 O'clock being inline with the anus.

Crescent-shaped, crescentic, or posterior rim: no hymenal tissue at the 12 o'clock position; narrow band of tissue starts at 1 or 2 o'clock going clockwise, is at its widest around 6 o'clock, and tapers off at 10 or 11 o'clock
annular, or
Circumferential: the hymen forms a ring around the vaginal opening; especially common in newborns
redundant; sometimes sleeve-like: folds in on itself, which sometimes causes it to protrude; most common in infancy and at/following puberty due to estrogen levels; can be combined with other type such as "annular and redundant"

Less common forms:

Fimbriated, or denticular: an irregular edge to the hymenal
orifice; more likely at an age when estrogen is present
Septate: the hymen has one or more bands extending across the opening

Cribriform, or microperforate: the hymen stretches completely across the vaginal opening, but is perforated with several holes labial, or vertical: hymen has an opening from the 12 to the 6 o'clock positions and can look similar to a third set of vulvar lips

Imperforate: hymen completely covers vaginal orifice; will require minor surgery if it has not corrected itself by puberty to allow menstrual fluids to escape

I realize that there are seems to be a lot of medical mumbo jumbo here, hopefully it has explained your daughters condition to you. Although rare, it is rarely permanent.
To put it in really simple terms, she will out grow it, and if she does not, then the things required to fix it are very simple and have very few risks attached.
I hope that I have been of some help to you.
As far as the mother who answered you with "get a better Doctor"; Your doctor is doing just fine, if you feel more comfortable with a second opinion then of course you should get one.
God Bless,

J.

HI my daughter had the same problem and when they first told me I had no idea what they were talking about being a first time mom. My docotr gave me cream to put on it but it didn't open so they sent me to a uroligist for children. They were so nice and my daughter just loved the doctor. They numbed the area and opened it up it looked like a Qtip. It was fast and she has no idea it ever happened. They did tell me to stay away from bubble bath so for bubbles I just use baby wash. It has stayed open and things are fine. Good luck with your daughter and I hope my advise helps you out.

Look hymen up on the internet. It might help
Take care,
K.

hello there,
i dont know if this will actually be of any real help to you but my girlfriend had this issue when she was younger...she is in her thirties now so obviously things may have changed in the medical field..and nothing was done for her until she was thirteen when she wasnt getting her period..but they performed a hymenectomy i believe it was called...and they literally cut a slit to open it...i apologize,i dont know what they would do nowadays but i have heard of it....and from what she has told me it was not a big procedure....good luck..R.

It should not be "opened" until much later in life. Hymen are considered to be in tact until sexual activity begins. Hymen are also broken somewhat with use of tampons. I think you need a new doctor.

I don't think the hymen is what you mean. The hymen usually remains intact until a female start having sex, although often times a tampon or even things like riding a bike can open it, there are also some females who simply do not have a hymen.

I think what you may be referring to is actually the vaginal opening. If that is what you are talking about than it is something that is fairly common, although many people don't openly talk about it. Typically a topical hormone medication applied to the vagina can take care of the problem.

Definitely clarify what the doctor was talking about and when in doubt get a second medical opinion.

I am taking a human sexuality course and we just learned about this in class the other day. They hymen does stay in tact until something ruptures it, but there are different forms the hymen takes. In this case, it has completely covered the opening of the vagina, and when the time comes, she won't be able to pass her menstrual flow because of there being no opening. This can cause serious infections if not caught right away. If it opens before she receives her period, then everything will be fine. Otherwise, they make an incision in the hymen to allow menstrual flow out of the vagina.