Cryptomenorrhea – A Saga of Hidden Menstruation with Overt Retention

A rare obstructive congenital abnormality of the female genital tract known as imperforate hymen results from the inferior end of the vaginal plate's canalization completely failing at the point where the urogenital sinus and the vaginal plate meet.This causes cryptomenorrhea, which manifests as cyclical abdominal pain with or without acute urinary retention.In this case study, an 11-year-old girl presented with complains of lower abdomen pain that persisted for a single day with acute retention of urine.Even though she hadn't reached menarche, her pubic, axillary, and breast hair had reached stage IV of development of her secondary sexual characteristics.After a foleys catheterization for symptomatic alleviation, more assessment was performed.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results showed hematocolpos after a clinical evaluation indicated an imperforate hymen.Hymenotomy, was performed leading to 300-400 cc of thick, viscous blood being extracted from vagina.Her recovery from the procedure went smoothly, and she was released in good health.Following a month, the patient started regular menstruation.