New hospital figures seem to indicate that a large number of women have been having what's known as 'virginity repair surgery' on the NHS, after a freedom of information request was made.
The Metro reports that only nine out of about 150 NHS Foundation Trusts responded to the request for the date, which revealed that at least 109 women have undergone the procedure in NHS hospitals between 2007 and 2017.
Given that the vast majority of Trusts refused to disclose the information, it can be assumed that the actual number of women who are having their hymens surgically reconstructed - known medically as hymenoplasty - is far higher.
According to the Metro, Harley Street relationship counsellor Louise Van der Velde believes that the main reason women are having the operation is because they feel guilt about the time they lost their virginity and want to experience it again.
"A lot of people have a bad experience for their first time," she told the paper.
"Often it's not what it's meant to be, it's meant to be a sacred thing and you never forget losing it.
"Maybe because people have been let down by that and it doesn't end up being what they want, they want to do it again.
"Maybe they want to share it with their husbands by being as pure as possible again."
Analysis of the date obtained shows that most 50 procedures since 2012 were carried out at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. While that institution did not provide figures for the cost of the procedure, two others did.
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital have performed 12 of the operations since 2013, at a total cost of £12,727.32, while an unknown number of surgeries cost North Bristol NHS a little less at £11,950.
The procedure is available at private clinics in London, which can charge up to £4,000 for the surgery, but under health authority rules women can also have the operation for both psychological and physical reasons.
Dr Naomi Crouch, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told the Metro: "There is a lack of reliable evidence about the clinical effectiveness and risks of FGCS (female genital cosmetic surgery), and there is no medical indication for these operations to be carried out.
"It is important that clinicians inform and reassure women and girls about variations in female genitalia, thoroughly explore the reasons behind the request for FGCS, and advise on the management of physical symptoms rather than suggesting surgery as an option."
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay