Labial fusion/imperforate hymen - specialist dr?

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Hi all

Just looked at 10mo DD2's bits while changing her nappy and realised she has no middle hole ie there is no opening to her vagina

I think it is probably labial fusion which I have read about on MN before (she has a line where the opening should be, and she seems to have all the other bits in place, and I am pretty sure I remember her having vaginal discharge when she was smaller so think it may have happened quite recently?). But it could be imperforate hymen which is a bit more serious.

(So glad I read about it on MN otherwise I'd be properly freaked out now)

I am going to take her to the GPs of course as soon as i can. I will be asking for a referral to a specialist to check exactly what it is and that everything is ok internally.

Has anyone got a name for a good specialist in this field? We are in London.

Thank you

No, she is normal.

Hopefully your GP will be able to advise whether there's anything to worry about or about a referral if necessary.

Happy to pm but really nothing to worry about. I was referred a number of girls at that age with very concerned parents. A lot (well a few percent) of girls just seem to seal up for a while and re-open. I did give some of them oestrogen cream, and everything opens but when mum stops the cream they closed up again. I also did scans to check all the bits were inside, they were. And when they get the cubby to leggy transition, say age three all settles. dd is 30 and I never looked at her but a junior colleague, now lead paediatrician, had three girls and was curious and noted that two of the three closed up from the waving legs in air stage to beginning to toddle. It is not in the books and we were thinking of writing it up but our more senior colleagues reassured us that that is "normal" even if not widely noticed or taught. We guess it is a protective mechanism. FWIW his daughters all have boyfriends/husbands and he is about to become a grandfather.

Oh wow - didn't realise it was that common.

Ok I will take her to the GP but sounds like specialist may not be necessary. dratsea are you a paediatrician/gynae then?

Thanks both

And thanks for the detailed explanation too

Both my girls have this. Littlest one had surgery at 12 months as it was so thick. Unfortunately it sealed up again despite cream. I'm leaving her for now as it's causing no trouble.

Older one had a few UTIs when potty training (could have been caused by adhesions or a coincidence) so I'll see how the little one goes when that fun starts again.

Thanks bb14. Why did they recommend surgery may I ask? Do the doctors think it will sort itself out in time?

I suppose my eldest could have had it too, I never looked (only looked at DD2 because DD1 was asking if they both had the same bits!) but all seems normal age 3 as far as I can tell.

It may happen when they get nappy rash.