The Truth About Labial Adhesions
90
What Are Labial Adhesions?
No one seems to talk about this one, but Labial Adhesions are a common occurrence in little girls. It's when the inner vaginal lips (labia minora) fuse together appearing to close off the opening to the vagina. It's thought to occur in 1-2% of girls aged 3 months to 6 years.
A parent may notice labial adhesion, but they usually cause no symptoms and are noticed only at a routine well-child checkup with a pediatrician. They are easy to treat, if they need to be treated, but the doctor may want to rule out any other vaginal disorders before treatment.
What Causes Labial Adhesions?
Experts aren't 100% sure what causes labial adhesions, but most agree they are caused when the labia become irritated or inflamed, as could be the case in a wet diaper. When the raw skin heals, it creates tissue that fuses the labia together. Soap residue on clothing may play a part as well as low levels of estrogen, which is normal before puberty. They may be the result of sexual abuse, but this is certainly not the reason for the majority of cases.
Labial adhesions can cause blockage of the urinary tract. A child may also complain of ‘drips' or parents may notice urine-stained underwear. Even if the adhesions are not fully blocking the urethra, a pocket of skin may form, trapping small amounts of urine, which are released when the child stands.
Bladder infections may be more common in girls with labial adhesions. Urine trapped in the extra tissue may make it's way back up into the urethra cuasing infection.
If you want to see a picture of what it looks like in a baby, there is one at the bottom of this page:
Effects of Estrogen Cream
It's important to note that estrogen cream can have side effects. Girls and even infants may show some minor breast development during estrogen treatment. The skin around the labia and/or nipples may darken. Stopping estrogen may even cause vaginal bleeding, but this should be very minimal and not a cause for concern. These symptoms usually subside after estrogen treatment is stopped and most girls will use estrogen without any side effects.
Treatment
Some doctors like to treat labial adhesions, while others believe that left untreated they most like will resolve on their own at puberty.
Treatment usually consists of the application of topical estrogen cream to the affected area. This causes the tissue fusing the labia to dissolve, separating the labia. Once separate, antibiotic cream is used to promote healing.
If your doctor opts to treat your daughter's labial adhesions, don't be surprised if they separate, heal, then later return.
Always follow the advice of your pediatrician. Never try to separate the labia with force. It will hurt and traumatize the child and usually cause the adhesions to heal worse than they started. In rare cases, the labia may need to be surgically separated by a doctor.
Prevention of Recurrence
Good vulvar care includes avoidance of irritants. Keep diapers dry and use fragrance free detergents. Don't scrub, but clean the vulva daily with water. Stay away from the bubble bath! And teach your daughter to wipe from front to back. Let the area get some air every day. Apply a lubricant like petroleum jelly to the labia at night.
The main thing is to remember it's nothing you did wrong, and it's a very common occurrence - even if no one says so!
Common Sense Medical Disclaimer:
|
NEW Waimh Handbook of Infant Mental Health, Parentin...
Current Bid: $235.00
|
|
Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes
Current Bid: $.99
|
|
The Portable Pediatrician: A Practicing Pediatrician's Guide to Your Child's Growth, Development, Health and Behavior, from Birth to Age Five
Price: $4.80
List Price: $21.95 |
|
Love and Limits In and Out of Child Care: What Your Child Care Provider and Your Pediatrician Want You to Know
Price: $8.50
List Price: $16.95 |
Share it! — Rate it: up down [flag this hub]
Comments
I chose not to put a picture on this Hub. However, I did feel it was useful for those who wanted to know what the condition looks like to have that resource. Many girls suffer from urinary tract infections because of labial adhesions. The picture I linked to is on a medical website. I'm sorry that you were offended by the picture. I certainly didn't want to offend, which is why I did not post the picture, but only a link. If you don't want to view the photo, please do not click the link.
Thanks to you, i now realise that my young daughter probably has this condition. The photo link did help as all the rest i looked at on the internet showed adult women and not a child. It was easier to compare. I was not aware untill today of its symtoms (of which my daughter has told me she has had, over the course of time). My doctor did say to wait unitll puberty.
My daughter was born with this and starting at 4 or 6 months we started on the estrogen cream. There were no physical side effects and the adhesion opened up after about 4 weeks of using the cream every day. Once opened, we kept it from re-fusing with a touch of vaseline to the area. I had no idea this could happen when she was diagnosed, but I'm happy there was a quick resolve! Thanks for this informative Hub. - Blogger Mom
The biggest thing you need to watch for is that girls are not getting bladder infections, which are pure misery.
Very well written about this problem,concised and easy to follow for everone.
I disagree with the first responder: Thank you for the picture. It has helped me to determine what the doctor was talking about. Our pediatrician just diagnosed my daughter with this condition 2 days ago. I was mortified when he was explaining this condition. I've never heard of this - now I feel bad that I didn't prevent it. I was in such shock at the time he was explaining things that I didn't absorb everything he was saying. I've been doing online research to find out the causes and to see what all of our options are. Your article has been very informative.
You have provided us with an excellent advice and with a condition that I didn't know existed, I had 5 girls and I am happy to say that none of them developed that. Thank you for a well writen explaination, and I too disagree with the first responder, I see very well that your intentions where noble, and not "morbid". As a Mom, I didn't take offence as you only posted a link. Thank you again. Many moms feel guilty when their children develop some unknown problems, but this is not their fault!, it could happen to anyone's little girl.
My daughter is in her 30's and has 4 children, but when she was an infant the pediatrician did somthing while he was examining her genital area and she jumpped and then cried and he said, he fixed what could be a big problem for her when she grew up. I was very young at the time and didn't ask for details, but I trusted him completely - now I'm wondering if that isn't what he 'fixed' or was it something else?
Thanks for the support! We need to understand our bodies - they belong to us after all! Celebrate 10 Years of the Vagina Monologues
working
DebbieCookie says:
8 months ago
I dislike the act of the person responsible of adding such picture of that innocent little baby encolse - using her ,exploiting childrens without a voice by exposing her private body part to show examples of Labial Adhesions in a child.That is a big NO NO. Grow up people ,Since she does not have a voice I am here to stand up for her and complaining about this in her defense.Things like This can only be convinient to sexual predators out there,is it that you are one of them and with this your supporting there crimes.Do you know your doing the same thing?OPen your eyes and protect the child.You could ve use a drawing as example not an child .That is so unacceptable and very offensive to me and I am sure for other mother and people that care. Stop crime like this dumb ass .