Diagnosis and Management of Hymenal Variants: ACOG Committee Opinion Summary, Number 780

At puberty, a patient with an imperforate hymen typically presents with a vaginal bulge of thin hymenal tissue with a dark or bluish hue caused by the hematocolpos behind it. Other findings that may be present include an abdominal mass, urinary retention, dysuria, constipation, and dyschezia. On evaluation, the goal is to differentiate an imperforate hymen from other obstructing anatomic etiologies, such as labial adhesions, urogenital sinus, transverse vaginal septum, or distal vaginal atresia. Surgical intervention is necessary only in symptomatic prepubertal patients. After confirmation of the diagnosis, surgical intervention usually is deferred until pubertal estrogenization has occurred because the imperforate hymen may open spontaneously at puberty. It is important to complete an abdominal and a perineal examination. If the physical examination reveals a bulging hymen and ultrasonography reveals hematocolpos, further imaging is not required. However, if the diagnosis is not certain or there is a concern for a distal vaginal atresia, cervical atresia, an obstructed uterine horn, or transverse or longitudinal vaginal septum, magnetic resonance imaging is recommended. The ideal time for surgical intervention on hymenal tissue is before the onset of pain and after onset of pubertal development, when the vaginal tissue is estrogenized. Surgical management of clinically significant hymenal variations involves excision of the hymenal tissue and rarely is associated with long-term sequelae. If there is concern that the patient has a distal vaginal atresia or a transverse vaginal septum, the patient should be referred to a center with expertise in the management of these conditions.