Hymenoplasty
Day 3 after hymenoplasty: using a thick night pad
Day 3 · permanent hymenoplasty, flap technique
You have reached the third day, and the pad is now an ordinary part of your day. Hygienic pads must be used during the healing period, and the type recommended for the first days is the thick night pad. This recommendation still applies today.
On this page you will find what the thick pad is for, what to pay attention to during the day, and which questions your doctor should answer.
Why a thick night pad?
During this period, small spots of bleeding may fall onto the pad; brown spots caused by the iodine used in the procedure may also come from inside. A thick night pad absorbs this spotting and keeps it from reaching your clothes. The doctor's recommendation is clear: in the first days, always a thick night pad. Thin panty liners are not part of this recommendation.
The pad has one more benefit: it lets you see the colour of the spotting on it. This makes it easier to tell an expected spot from a discharge that needs a check-up.
How often should it be changed?
No time is given here for how many hours apart the pad should be changed, because your doctor will tell you this. If this was not discussed on the procedure day, do not hesitate to call the clinic and ask.
Keeping a spare pad in your bag when you go out makes things easier when it is time to change. Checking your pad before going to bed and when you get up in the morning are two natural checkpoints in the day; what you do in between depends on the frequency your doctor gives you.
Points to watch when using pads
- Do not tug at the area when putting the pad on or taking it off.
- Do not wear tight, close-fitting trousers over the pad; they increase the pressure.
- If you wash after changing it, do not aim the water at the area under pressure.
- Take a quick look at the colour of the pad you remove.
Can tampons be used?
When a tampon may be used is not among the information this series is based on. Use pads until your doctor gives you a time frame, and ask them about tampons.
The same applies to switching from a thick night pad to a thin pad: the day of the switch is decided by your doctor, not by you.
Do today
- Use a thick night pad during the day and at night.
- Take a spare pad with you when you go out.
- Ask your doctor how often to change it.
Avoid today
- Do not switch to tampons unless your doctor says so.
- Do not replace the thick pad with a thin one on your own decision.
- Do not wear tight bottoms over the pad.
Call us if
- If you repeatedly see a discharge on the pad that is yellow, has an unusual smell or that you cannot describe, contact the clinic for a check-up.
- If you cannot decide whether the spotting on the pad is one of the expected kinds, call and ask.
Frequently asked questions
For how many days are pads used after hymenoplasty?
Hygienic pads must be used during the healing period, and a thick night pad is recommended for the first days. Because small spotting may be seen throughout the first week, a pad is useful during this period. Your doctor will tell you specifically when you can switch from a thick pad to a thin one and on which day you can stop using pads.
Should I use a night pad during the day as well?
The recommendation does not depend on the time of day: a thick night pad is used in the first days. Here 'night pad' describes the type of pad, not the time it is worn. Put a spare in your bag for the hours you spend outside. If a different routine suits you, your doctor will say so.
How often should I change the pad?
No number of hours or pads is given on this page. Your doctor will tell you specifically how often to change it. If this information was not given on the procedure day, you can call the clinic and ask. Until then, it is sensible to carry a spare pad with you.
This page is for general information only; it does not replace an examination or your doctor's advice. Some patients may need additional restrictions. The durations and rules your doctor gives you always take priority over those on this page.
References
- A new surgical technique of hymenoplasty. Wei SY, et al. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2015.
- Hymenoplasty and Muslim Patients: Islamic Ethico-Legal Perspectives. Bawany MH, et al. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus, Obstetrician & Gynecologist · Last medical review: