So after the year it's been since I started my period, I have finally found what it is preventing me from using tampons. I did some research and found the problem is that I have a septate hymen. It's apparently not a big deal, minor surgery can be done to remove it. My problem is that I'm going on a huge vacation- to Belize- on Saturday (2 days from now) and I started my period yesterday. I don't want to miss out on any fun because I can only wear pads, so I'd like to be able to insert a tampon by then (although I'm praying my period will be over by the time I get to the beach- it's still quite unpredictable). I have heard of women snipping their own septate hymens, and have also read that it isn't painful at all. However, I want to know if there are any medical repercussions if I were to do this.
Does it really hurt?
Could I get infected?
I really don't want to see a gyno because I have heard horror stories from my friends ( I know it sounds immature) and I would prefer to just get it over with myself.
Does anyone know anything about this issue?

Stupid idea. Think about it for two seconds. Cutting into an area that's especially sensitive and you can't even see clearly. You could cut the wrong thing. Whatever tools you decide to use probably won't be properly sterilized since I'm assuming you don't have medical training. And what about after care? I can't imagine it's a good idea to go into a public pool or the ocean right after surgery down there. I couldn't even go in the pool or anything after just getting my belly button pierced, and that's nothing compared to minor surgery. Just go to the gyno. Don't take a stupid risk (and idc if you think I'm being harsh, it is stupid)

I actually just had the procedure done to get it removed today.
DO NOT REMOVE IT YOURSELF. There are a lot of blood vessels down there, so don't just go snipping around. Also, it hurts A LOT to cut it yourself. When you get it done they will freeze the area or put you under and snip it. But do not do it yourself, using unsterilized equipment is unsafe.

I had a septate hymen, and I used tampons anyway. But it took a while to get them out since I had to make sure that they came out one side of the tissue. And luckily one day, I was taking a tampon out and the tissue broke. I didn't feel a thing either. Now I use tampons all the time and NO MORE SEPTATE HYMEN!!

It doesn't hurt at all! In fact, I just snipped mine 5 minutes ago, there was only a tiny bit of blood. I just used some nail scissors and sterilised them with hot water and detol and got a mirror out and did it. I've heard it takes about two days to heal though.. so swimming with it cut could be risky as you could get infections down there.

tapesong, are you a dr? Do you have medical training? My guess is no. please don't give medical advice about something this important. I hope that everything is OK for you and that you don't develop any infections. But this sort of procedure is just not something that people should be performing at home without the advice and care of their dr.

Okay look, I had a septate hymen and I had surgery to remove it. It's a simple short surgery, mine lasted about 45 minutes at the most. And I'm 14 and I wasn't stupid enough to even think about cutting it. Yeah it's embarrassing but might as well get it over with. And the geynocologist is not that bad. So I advise surgery.