Are there morally relevant differences between hymen restoration and bloodless treatment for Jehovah's Witnesses?

backgroundHymen reconstruction is a controversial measure performed to help young females under threat of honour-related violence. Official guidelines often reject offering hymen reconstructions. On the other hand, extraordinary measures in order to enable operations of Jehovah's Witnesses who want a bloodless operation in order to avoid religiously related sanctions are often considered praiseworthy. The aim is thus to examine whether or not there are relevant differences between these two measures. DISCUSSION: We identified twelve potential differences. One difference could be considered relevant (patient-safety), but in favour of hymenoplastic operations. SUMMARY: Since we did not identify enough relevant differences to justify offering bloodless operations to Jehovah's Witnesses but not offering hymen reconstruction due to honour-related norms, we conclude that these two groups of patients should be treated equally. This means that neither of the patient groups should be offered these extraordinary operations or that both groups of patients should be offered such operations. Similarly, there are no reasons for judging those who perform the operations differently.