Have you ever noticed that when you change your little girl's diaper or give her a bath, the labia minora on either side of her vagina are stuck together? You may have been scared to see that the vagina is completely closed, leaving only the urethra visible. Many mothers get worried when they see something like this. But in reality, most of the time, this is nothing to worry about. Let's talk about this condition today.
Simply put, what are labial adhesions?
Normally, a woman or a girl has two inner labia minora on either side of her vagina. Although these are joined at the top, the vagina remains open. However, in the case of labial adhesions , the two inner labia become stuck together. Like a zipper, these two labia become connected by a membrane. This sticking can be slight or it can completely cover the vagina.
This condition is relatively common among young girls. In most cases, it is harmless and will get better on its own as the child gets older. So if your child has this condition and is not experiencing any discomfort, they probably won't need any treatment. However, if they have certain symptoms, then they will need to be treated.
Doctors use several other names for this.
- Labial fusion
- Fused labia
- Vulvar synechia
- Labial agglutination
No matter what name you give it, it's the same situation.
There are two main types of this condition.
This vaginal lip adhesion can be mainly divided into two parts.
1. Primary labia minora: This is the most common type. It occurs in young girls between the ages of 3 months and 6 years . It is especially common in children between the ages of one and two years.
2. Secondary labiaplasty: This type is seen in older women. This condition can occur especially after having a child or after menopause.
Less than 2% of girls develop this condition before puberty. This means it's not very common, but it's not rare either.
What are the symptoms of this?
Most of the time, young children with this condition do not show any symptoms. It is often noticed by chance when a mother changes a diaper. However, some children may experience discomfort. Adults who develop this condition usually show symptoms.
Let's see what these symptoms are.
| Who is affected? | Symptoms that can be seen |
|---|---|
| Infants/Young Girls |
|
| Adults |
|
Why is this really happening?
Doctors still haven't found a definitive cause for this, but the main cause is believed to be a decrease in the hormone estrogen.
Estrogen is a key female hormone. As a girl reaches puberty, her body begins to produce more of this hormone. This hormone is essential for things like breast development and menstruation.
Young girls have very low estrogen levels in their bodies. Women who have gone through menopause also experience a drop in estrogen levels. This hormone also temporarily decreases after giving birth.
Due to this lack of estrogen, the skin of the labia becomes very thin and delicate. Then, even the slightest thing can cause that skin to become injured or irritated. When this happens, the labia are more likely to stick together as the injuries heal.
There are other reasons why young children may develop skin tags:
- Diaper rash: A rash that occurs when the area gets wet and not properly cleaned while using a diaper.
- Certain types of soap: Harsh soaps and bubble baths can also cause vaginal infections.
- Lichen sclerosus: This is a skin condition. However, it is somewhat rare.
How does a doctor diagnose and treat this?
If you suspect something like this, the best thing to do is to see your family doctor or a pediatrician. A doctor can tell if your child has this condition just by examining them . It doesn't require any major tests. They may order a urinalysis if they suspect a urinary tract infection (UTI).
The treatment method depends on whether the child has symptoms or not.
If there are no symptoms...
If your child has labia minora but isn't experiencing any pain or difficulty urinating, the doctor will often say "wait and see." This is because as your child reaches puberty, their body produces more estrogen, which will help the labia minora heal on their own without any treatment.
The important thing is that in most cases, this condition will get better on its own as the child grows up, without any treatment. So don't worry.
If there are symptoms...
If your child has pain, difficulty urinating, or frequent urinary tract infections, they need treatment.
- Topical treatments: Your doctor will often prescribe a cream containing estrogen (conjugated estrogens vaginal cream) or a steroid (corticosteroid) cream. This is applied once or twice a day, in a thin line, in the center of the affected area. After using this cream for a few weeks, the affected area will thin out and fall off on its own.
- After separation: After the labia are separated, to prevent them from sticking together again, the doctor will recommend that you apply something like petroleum jelly to the area for a while.
- Manual separation by a doctor: Sometimes, if the adhesion is very thick, creams may not help. In rare cases, a doctor may numb the area and manually separate the adhesion. You should never try to do this at home. This should only be done by an experienced doctor.
- Surgical separation: This is done very, very rarely . Surgery is only considered if the child is completely unable to urinate and no other treatment has been successful.
What can we do at home?
When caring for a child with this condition, there are several things parents can do.
- Keep it clean: Always keep your child's genital area clean and dry. After defecating, always wipe from front to back . This can go a long way in preventing urinary tract infections. When your child is a little older, teach him this correct method too.
- Avoid harsh soaps: When bathing your baby, avoid using harsh soaps, bubble bath, or perfumes on the vaginal area. Washing with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap is sufficient.
- Petroleum jelly: If your doctor advises it, gently apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the area once a day. This acts as a barrier and reduces skin peeling.
- Do not forcefully separate: Again, never, under any circumstances, try to forcefully separate the baby at home. Doing so can injure the baby, increase the pain, and make the situation worse.
When should I see a doctor? When should I go to the ETU?
This is usually not an emergency, but in a situation like this, you should see a doctor.
- If you notice that your baby's labia are sticking together.
- If the child has pain when urinating .
- If the child has frequent urinary tract infections.
However, if your child is unable to urinate at all, or if he or she goes without urinating for hours, it is an emergency. In this case, take him or her to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Labial adhesions are a condition that is seen in young girls. Don't panic if you see this.
- The main reason for this is considered to be the decrease in estrogen hormone levels in the body.
- Most of the time, this condition does not cause any discomfort to the child. It gets better on its own as the child reaches puberty.
- Treatment is only needed if the child has pain, difficulty urinating, or frequent urinary tract infections.
- Never try to forcefully separate a stuck joint at home. Always seek medical advice.
- It is very important to keep your baby's vaginal area clean, dry, and properly cleansed.
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