Hymen 'restoration' in cultures of oppression: how can physicians promote individual patient welfare without becoming complicit in the perpetuation of unjust social norms?

What are the ethics of hymenoplasty? In this commentary, I argue that doctors must take seriously the risks involved in not performing the procedure when stigmatization and credible threats of violence are at stake. However, the ultimate source of harm in this example is not the absence of a girl’s hymen, but rather an ugly suite of discriminatory attitudes and patriarchal social conventions. Therefore, doctors who perform hymenoplasty must take care not to profit from these unjust norms. I conclude by recommending that physicians charge the lowest possible fee for the procedure, while taking active steps to combat the problematic social norms that drive women to request hymenoplasty in the first place.