Should Muslim Women Be Allowed to Choose Re-Virginization Surgery?

Hymenoplasty--the surgicial reconstruction of broken hymens--is a popular procedure among French Muslim women who have had a dalliance or two before marriage. According to the Courier-Mail, some French doctors are denouncing the surgery

…as a sign of social regression driven by Islamic fundamentalists.

Jacques Lansac, chairman of the French National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, is leading the campaign against what he describes as "an attack on the dignity of women".

However, other surgeons offer the procedure "in the hope of protecting patients from being ostracised or beaten." Physicians are also asked to sign certificates that state that the young women are virgins. The article concludes:

While some doctors will not sign virginity certificates because it is not a medical problem, others will.

Jacques Milliez, head of the department of gynaecology and obstetrics at Saint-Antoine hospital in Paris, said: "I worked in Algeria as a junior doctor and when I was on call at night I saw these young women whose throats had been slit because they were suspected of having lost their virginity. So if someone asks me, I sign the certificate."

I absolutely hate caving into fundamentalist claptrap about female sexual purity. On the other hand, I don't see why women should not freely be allowed to purchase that procedure if that's what they think will give them the best chance at a happy life. On the third hand, I would be really happy if young Muslim women would just tell their families to go to Hell and live with whomever they choose. On the fourth hand, saying "Go to Hell" is very easy for me to say. 

Discuss.