A woman who abstained from sex for more than 40 years recently discovered she has an uncommon medical condition that complicates intimacy.
Sarah Jones-Green, 44, was raised in a Christian home and chose to wait until marriage to have sex, respecting her religious convictions. She viewed intimacy as “something special” and didn’t want to lose her virginity in a casual manner.
In 2020, she met her future husband, Martin Green, 44, a marketer, through the dating app Bumble. They married on September 28, 2024. On their wedding night, Sarah attempted to have sex for the first time, but found the experience too painful.
After visiting her doctor, a physical examination revealed that Sarah has a condition known as a microperforate hymen. This condition involves having an unusually thick hymen with a small opening.
The Mayo Clinic indicates that a microperforate hymen is a rare congenital condition. It is described as having a hymen that covers the vagina except for a small opening, which can allow menstruation but also cause painful symptoms.
Sarah is currently on a waiting list for a hymenectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the excess hymen tissue. She believes that being able to have sex would make her feel more ‘complete’.
Residing in Greenwich, London, Sarah, who works in marketing, expressed: “I’m a virgin bride — and I don’t want to be — having sex would make me feel like a ‘normal’ newlywed. I had no indication of this condition before; it only became apparent when Martin and I tried to have sex for the first time. I’d waited so long just to experience what others have. It’s frustrating, and I’ve been feeling quite down about it.”
Recalling their wedding night, Sarah described feeling an ‘aching’ sensation, which quickly dampened the excitement. Distressed and feeling ‘abnormal,’ she promptly scheduled a GP appointment later that week.
“I wanted to address it immediately,” Sarah explained. “We couldn’t figure out how to have sex without causing pain — Martin was understanding, but I was very frustrated. I remembered my mom had a similar issue on her wedding night, and I wondered if it was hereditary.”
Sarah mentioned that her late mother also waited until marriage to have sex. She further explained: “My hymen is unusually thick, and this condition is congenital. The GP suggested using dilators, but they seemed too painful, so I opted for surgery. Although my consultation isn’t until August, a private procedure costs around £1,000.”