Deciding Between Hymen Surgery and Preventative Antibiotics for Recurrent UTI's

For a small group of women around the world, the decision might sometime have to be made between choosing either a hymenotomy or taking preventative antibiotics. For what reason? Due to recurrent, persistant, and very uncomfortable bladder infections or UTI's.

Certainly, the decision is not an easy one. On the one hand, choosing to undergo a hymenotomy is a scary thought. In this case, the woman's hymen is causing great discomfort during sexual activity, leading to recurrent infections. In this case, the hymen would need corrective surgery - perhaps because it is just too thick to be broken during sexual penetration. Indeed, the idea of any type of surgery is not a pleasant thought... but it certainly is one very good option for women who suffer with this problem.

Then, on the other hand, a woman is also posed with another idea: being on preventative antibiotics for who knows how long - perhaps for the rest of her sexual life. This idea is not very fun to think about either, simply because the informed woman knows the side effects of antibiotics and even the damage that can be done to her body in the long run. Even so, it is a plausible and very effective choice when it is discovered that her recurrent infections are solely due to sexual activity.

So, with these two choices before her, how does a woman go about deciding which avenue is the best for her personally? After all, it is her desire to preserve her own quality of life and the quality and satisfaction of her sexual life within her marriage. Well, there are a few points she may want to consider as she is making this decision about her own body.

For one, is it really going to solve the problem? In other words, has she done all of her research and talked in-depth with her doctors about this problem? And if it has definitely been discovered that these are her only two options, can her doctor be sure that either choice will really work in her case?

What may happen to her body if she is on antibiotics for the rest of her sexual life? Also, can she bear the side effects of the antibiotics, which for many women include nausea? After all, she will be taking a pill every time she has intercourse, and so can she live with any possible side effects?

Does her insurance cover either option? Surgery is not cheap, and neither is medicine... so it may be good to weigh both options and see which one is more doable for you and your pocket personally. Make sure your insurance, if you have it, covers it.

Has she gotten a second, even third, opinion? What she is going through is hard and unpleasant, but even if she is comfortable with a certain doctor (perhaps her personal ob/gyn), it is a good idea to get other opinions - perhaps from a urologist who will specialize in these infections.

If you choose surgery, are you really ready for that? Keep in mind that you must completely abstain from sexual activity from at least a month after the procedure is done - is this something you and your spouse can really do? With a little forethought and a lot of compassion, your mate can certainly work with this.

Indeed, these are important points to consider. Whatever your choice is on the matter, be assured that you can solve this problem you are faced with!