Any mother or father would be very worried if they suddenly saw a blood stain or two on their little daughter's underwear, wouldn't they? It's very normal to feel scared when you see something like this, especially since the child is still young. But this is not always something to be afraid of. Sometimes this can be caused by the condition we are talking about today, which is a somewhat rare but not scary condition called Urethral Prolapse. So let's talk about this clearly today.
What is Urethral Prolapse?
Simply put, this is when the thin lining of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of our body, protrudes. In girls, the urethra is located slightly above the vagina. So when the inner lining of this tube protrudes, it looks like a little pink donut coming out of the opening where urine comes out.
This is a very rare condition. It affects about 1 in 5,000 girls. It is not a life-threatening condition , and it is not cancerous . So don't worry about it. This condition is most common in prepubescent girls and postmenopausal women.
Why does this happen to a child? What are the reasons?
There is no single, definitive cause for this yet. However, doctors believe there are several risk factors that can contribute to it. All of these factors lead to a sudden increase in abdominal pressure.
Think about it, things like these can increase intra-abdominal pressure:
- Chronic cough: If the child continues to cough loudly.
- Constipation: If you have difficulty passing stool, it is due to the straining you experience at that time.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): If you have frequent urinary tract infections.
- Weight gain: Obesity can also be a factor.
- Trauma: If something happens to that area, such as a hard blow or fall.
Another important point is that before puberty, girls have low levels of the hormone 'Oestrogen' in their bodies. This can cause the tissue around the urethra to weaken. This weakness can also cause the membrane to protrude in this way.
What are the symptoms? How do you recognize it?
Imagine, about 10% of children with this condition may not show any symptoms. It may be discovered by chance when they go to the doctor for something else. But, if symptoms do appear, let's see what they are.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Blood stains on underwear | This is the most common symptom. It may appear as small drops of blood on the underwear. This is what worries many parents. |
| Pain when urinating | Some children experience pain or burning when they urinate. Doctors call this dysuria. |
| Difficulty urinating | Sometimes, it can be difficult to completely empty your bladder (urinary retention). |
| Local sensitivity | The area may feel a little sore after urinating and wiping. |
| Swelling of the protruding tissue | If this condition persists for a long time, the protruding tissue can become swollen, sore, and painful. |
How does the doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)
The best thing to do when you see something like this is to take your child to a doctor, especially a pediatrician .
In most cases, a doctor can diagnose this condition by examining the child (clinical diagnosis). This can be suspected if a pink or purple glandular tissue is seen coming out of the urethra.
However, since this is a somewhat rare condition, sometimes the doctor may recommend a few more tests to confirm whether this is another condition.
- Pelvic Ultrasound Scan: You may be asked to have an abdominal ultrasound scan.
- Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG): This is a special X-ray test that allows a clear view of the child's bladder and urethra.
Because this is rare, it can sometimes be mistaken for 'vaginal bleeding.' That's why it's important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the treatments for this? Do I need surgery?
Although this may sound scary, in most cases there is a simple treatment for this. Surgery is rarely required. Treatment is determined by the severity of the child's symptoms.
| Treatment Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Estrogen cream | This is the first treatment. This cream should be applied to the area as prescribed by the doctor. This will strengthen the tissues in that area and help the protruding part to go back inside. |
| Sitz baths | A sitz bath is a 15-20 minute soak in a basin of lukewarm water. This is a great way to keep the area clean and relieve pain and inflammation. |
| Applying Vaseline | Applying something like Vaseline can reduce the sensitivity and inflammation in that area. |
| Antibiotics | If this condition is caused by something like a urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. |
| Cases where surgery is required | |
| Surgery | If other treatments don't help, and the protruding tissue is swollen, dark purple/blue, and painful, a doctor may recommend surgery. This involves removing the protruding tissue and stitching it together to prevent it from coming back. This is usually a simple operation. |
In most cases, this condition will completely resolve after about two weeks of using estrogen cream and sitz baths, so there is no reason to worry.
Take-Home Message
- Urethral prolapse is a rare but not life-threatening condition in girls.
- The main symptom is the appearance of blood stains on the child's underwear.
- If you see something like this, don't panic, see a pediatrician as soon as possible. Never go for any treatment you feel like doing or do what people around you tell you to do.
- Often, simple treatments (creams, sitz baths) can completely cure this condition within a few weeks.
- Surgery is rarely necessary, and it is a simple procedure that can be successfully performed.
- It is very important for a speedy recovery to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න