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Glite Dictionary
imperforate hymen

imperforate hymen

9.9
A piece of soft tissue across the vaginal opening with no hole that blocks menstrual blood from leaving the vagina
  • noun
  • /ˌɪmpərˈfɔːrɪt ˈhaɪmən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : himen imperforado
  • Surgical intervention is required to treat an imperforate hymen and restore normal menstrual flow.

Examples

  • Doctors usually diagnose an imperforate hymen during a physical examination when a girl has not started menstruating despite puberty.

  • An imperforate hymen can cause abdominal pain in adolescent girls due to trapped menstrual blood.

  • An imperforate hymen can lead to serious health issues.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with an imperforate hymen.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with an imperforate hymen, which explained her painful menstrual symptoms.

  • After her examination, it was confirmed that she had an imperforate hymen, causing her to retain menstrual blood.

  • Many young girls with an imperforate hymen may not realize they have a condition until they experience menstrual issues.

Surface Forms

imperforate hymen singular
imperforate hymens plural

Morphology

imperforate + hymen

The compound is literally built from 'imperforate' (not having holes/openings) + 'hymen' (a thin membrane), so its meaning—'a hymen without an opening'—is directly derivable from the parts. Although it is medical terminology, the composition is transparent and a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the basic condition.

Etymology

Imperforate hymen describes a simple idea: the hymen is a thin skin at the entrance to the vagina and imperforate means 'no hole'. If a girl is born with this, that skin can block menstrual blood from leaving the body, so the term means a hymen that stops the flow.