Some women opt for hymenoplasty with their
mother's blessings because Bangalore is, in many
ways, still very conservative
Virginity is a big issue for Bangaloreans.
After hundreds of would-be brides were reportedly
forced to undergo virginity tests for a mass
marriage ceremony organised by the Madhya Pradesh
government, MiD DAY finds out what the scene is like
in Bangalore.
Dr Mala Prakash, gynaecologist:
"Before marriage, many couples come over to get
tested for hepatitis, blood group and now, due to
the growing awareness about sexually transmitted
diseases, a lot of people come in for an HIV test,
if they have been sexually active.
"I have seen cases where women come to get their
hymen repaired if they are from a conservative
background and sexually active. Hymenoplasty is the
solution if these girls are not getting married to
the man they have been sleeping with."
Dr Jaya Bhat of Manipal Hospital:
"I have not come across cases of hymenoplasty.
Couples do come for tests before marriage but it's
basically for contraceptive methods and queries on
when to start a family. We even test them for
hepatitis, rubella, toxo plasmosis and blood
grouping. When it comes to STDs, the couple comes
together if they are going steady or if the marriage
is fixed."
Dr Lindaa Talwar, Sankarambal Nursing Home:
"While most couples come to ask about contraception
methods, there are even cases of girls coming to get
their hymen repaired. Strangely, mothers who know
their kids are sexually active get them to go in for
hymenoplasty. The cases are rare, however, and I
have hardly come across 6 to 7 cases in my
experience.
"Most of them do not come because hymenoplasty is
expensive and can cost anywhere between Rs 25,000
and Rs 50,000 and many girls are unaware that
something like this exists." |
