So your baby girl has a vagina that looks partially, or totally shut. It’s actually not that uncommon, so do your best not to stress. According to the Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia, labial adhesions happen when the labia minora bind together forming one solid piece of tissue. These sort of adhesions can range from a 30-50% fusion to total closure. The causes are unknown but one potential reason is low estrogen levels in girls between three months and six years or inflammation.
“Labial adhesions are fairly common in infants and young children, affecting up to three percent of girls in the second year of life,” says Dr. Meredith Grossman, an assistant professor in pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “With labial adhesions, the skin of the labia is fused together. They are managed with either emollients, such as Vaseline, or topical steroids or estrogen cream.”
Labial adhesions are fairly common in infants and young children, affecting up to three percent of girls in the second year of life.
Labial adhesions don’t come with symptoms and are usually uncovered during a routine exam. However girls may experience constant UTI’s as a result. According to Dr. Grossman, if the aforementioned emollients and creams do not work, “surgery is recommended,” she says.
But yes, it’s totally normal, and it’s all going to be fine.
