A microperforate hymen is essentially an imperforate hymen with a very small hole within it. The hole may be large enough for mucus and/or blood to come through the hymeneal opening, but instead of having a regular menstrual period lasting four to seven days, the woman may have a period which lasts longer due to the fact that the blood cannot come out at a normal rate.

A microperforate hymen may resolve spontaneously and the opening may get larger as a child becomes older; alternatively if a young woman who has a microperforate hymen attempts to insert a tampon she may have pain or the inability to insert the tampon. If she attempts to have sexual intercourse, she may have pain and the excess hymeneal tissue may tear. A surgical approach can be undertaken to resect the excess hymeneal tissue.

For more information go to the Center for Young Women's Health website.