Medico-legal study of the hymen

The study of hymen morphology and injuries is critical in forensic medicine, particularly in Iraq and other Asian countries. Problems with the hymen can have serious social consequences.

The aim of this study is to shed light on various hymen's variants, as well as the possible causes of their injuries and their medicolegal significance.

This study was carried out at Baghdad's medico-legal directorate (M.L.D.) from January 1st to March 31st, 2017. There were 127 cases in total. They ranged in age from two to sixty. The morphology of the hymens, their injuries, and other relevant details were documented using a specific questionnaire.

Compared to other varied examinations undertaken, such as infertility, impotence, and others, the examination of the hymen made up (5.1%) of all examinations conducted in the Medico-Legal Directorate (M.L.D.) clinic in Baghdad. The majority of the women tested were over the age of 14. The annular hymen was the most common variant (57.3%). The elastic hymens percentage was 14.6% while the Imperforated variant had the lowest prevalence (0.8%). The majority of the properties of the examined hymens were smooth free edge, medium consistency, and medium sized hymen opening. The majority of the cases involved female children (prepubertal girls) who were accidently injured, followed by sexual assaults and wedding night doubts. The majority of hymen tears (40.2%) were old. Multiple tears (47.5%) outnumbered single tears (37.3%). Fresh tears were only observed in adult girls.

The annular variant of the smooth free edge, average consistency, and average hole size is the most common hymens. The elastic hymens were a main reason for the referral of cases for medical examination due to wedding night doubts. In more than half of the cases, the hymens were smooth with no transection or deep notches.