title: [Requests for online consultations on the operative reconstruction of the hymen--data from the university hospital Zurich and the children's hospital Zurich].
abstract: The "reconstruction of the hymen"consists in a surgical suture of the seam of a hymen that has been fissured due to vaginal intercourse or other causes. This intervention aims at triggering bleeding on the occasion of the next intercourse, a phenomenon often required as proof of virginity within certain traditions. Valid data regarding this ethically and medically controversial and predominantly tabooissue is scarce. In an effort to further explore this practice, we have collected information about hymenorrhaphy from the databases of two anonymous, medical, online counselling services provided by the University Hospital Zürich, and explicitly for teenagers by the Children's Hospital Zürich. We found a sample of 22 questions from women seeking advice, and the results vividly illustrate the psycho-social dilemma these women face, prompting us to suggest that further ethical discussion, collection of empirical data and broad public education on issues related to sexuality are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Biomedizinische Ethik, Ethik-Zentrum, Universität Zürich.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wild
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neuhaus Bühler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poulin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brockes
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Weitmann
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Biller-Andorno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus; D003376:Counseling; D004989:Ethics; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006924:Hymen / Q000601:surgery*; D009862:Online Systems; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012067:Religion; D013557:Switzerland; D013609:Taboo