Labial adhesions occur when the folds of the skin of the vagina (labia) stick together. This closure may be partial (either upper or lower labia) or complete. The adhesions normally occur in pre-pubertal girls. The cause of closure is often from vaginal irritation that when healing occurred, adhesions formed.
The possible causes of irritation are from stool (wiping form back to front), bubble baths or something unknown.
Show AllSometimes there are no symptoms, but there is often pain from the pulling sensation, difficulty with urination, recurrent urinary tract infections, or recurrent vaginal infection.
Labial adhesions do not need treatment if only a small portion of the vagina is infected and no symptoms are occurring. Symptoms may resolve spontaneously once puberty occurs and estrogen levels rise naturally. However, for those patients with recurrent infections and discomfort, application of topical estrogen cream (Premarin) should be applied twice daily until the labia separate – usually for up to six weeks. Following the estrogen therapy, Vaseline may be applied daily to prevent the adhesions from forming again.
There are no complications from labial adhesions. However, some patients may develop urinary tract infections and should be monitored.
If you have questions, please contact the
Teen Health Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 513-636-4681.
