Medical Insider – Dr. Ria P. Maslog
Labial Adhesions
This is one of the many concerns of parents that is brought to our clinics for assessment, evaluation and management.
So, what is this condition about?
Labial adhesion is a condition when the labia minora are sealed or fused in the midline so that there is only a small orifice just below the clitoris.
To elaborate, labial adhesion, according to medical books is the fusion of the labia minora or majora, and it is mostly located near the clitoris. It also may be known as synechia vulvae or labial agglutination.
The exact cause for labial adhesions remains unknown. However, it is believed that a state of low estrogen may be a contributing cause.This could be congenital or acquired.
The patient who has labial adhesion is referred to the doctor because of the following:
– difficulty in urination
– enuresis
– dysuria
– or pruritus vulvae.
What is the Treatment of this condition? Treatment may include the following: application of estrogen ointment, hygienic habits, and surgical separation is indicated only when topical estrogen application fails or if the fusion is congenital.
So one option for treatment is to simply apply an ointment with pressure to the adhesions. Over time, the pressure and the ointment may be enough to separate the adhesion. Estrogen cream can also be applied. During several weeks of using the cream, the adhesions should soften and begin to separate.
The question is: Do labial adhesions resolve on their own? According to studies, in most cases, labial adhesions are harmless and resolve by themselves once puberty starts (from about 10 years of age).