My 3 Year Old Daughter Has a Closed Vagina.

I grew up having kidney problems and my mom waited until I was older for some of the more uncomfortable test. I wish she would have had them done when I was little and would not have remembered them. My 2 yr old has some serious health problems I managed to get a lot of bad test out of the way so she wont remember them. Just some advice.

I have no experience with this, but I just did a quick search on the internet and found this, which you might find helpful:

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=21&am...

Good luck!

I see you got a lot of good advice but I wanted to tell you about my experience with this problem. My daughter had this but it was caught early enough all 3 times so we were able to pull it open. I was nervous about the estrogen cream because of some of the possible side effects. We had great luck with putting regular balmex on every time I changed her diaper and just gently pulling it apart every time. She would be so soar sometimes that in her sleep she would be scratching at her privates and cause it to bleed. She is now 7 with no more problems. We had to eliminate baths (I showered with her until recently), eliminate scented soaps and laundry detergent, keep a vaginal itch cream handy (like the stuff you find in the over the counter yeast infection creams), and every time she showers she sits in the bath tub and uses a special spray bottle to thoroughly rinse the labial folds. You mentioned that she is closed right now. Everything I mentioned is for after it is opened. Thank God we didn't need a specialist but it may be something necessary now so she won't be bothered with it later. My understanding is that eventually the natural hormones kick in and it stops happening. But as long as it is dry it will seal itself up. It is important to keep cream on the area.

Good luck

I just want to add that my daughter also has asthma and at the time we were going through this she was on a nebulizer and I felt like I was always forcing something on her. From all of this she is so brave and strong. She is a remarkable little girl with no fears to try new things. Your daughter will come through this fine and she will trust you to always take care of her. It is hard to subject our children to these things and that is why I would try to do as much at home as possible and do it early so she doesn't remember it forever.

I remember my mom putting on the cream when I was 3 or 4. She kept it in the refrigerator. I don't remember why, but now it makes sense when you said she feels sore maybe it being cool was helpful. Since my mom still used the cream I guess it was a success because I don't remember anything else. My daughter was an infant and I saw the beginning stages of closure and her doctor told us to keep it moist with Vaseline. That worked for her without any other problems. HTH!

My youngest daughter (almost 2)also has a closed vagina and I too had the same concerns that you do. I've done quite a bit of research and there is little chance of infection, so why not just let it go? Chances are it will open on it's own when she reaches puberty and if it hasn't by the time she gets close to that age you can always do the estrogen cream then. I didn't see the point of subjecting my baby to a treatment that would have to continue for many years. There is no reason for it to be open, so why force it? Anyway, that's just my opinion from my own experience. If your biggest worry is infection, do some research and then make your own informed decision. I'm surprised your pediatrician is giving you the advice to see a specialist. I've never been the kind of person to blindly follow a doctor's advice without knowing for myself the risks or benefits of a treatment ( and I'm not saying that you are!), just remember that YOU the parent often times knows what is better for your child than a doctor does. Trust your instincts!

My grandaughter had the same thing at age three. They did the cream thing and when she got a little older they opened it with a very mild surgery. It was nothing to it at all. She is now 6 and doing just fine. The cream did not work for her eather. Hope this helps.

What a complicated issue! It sounds like you are being wonderfully mindful of the impact on your daughter of what might be an intrusive treatment. It seems to me that seeing a specialist is a very good idea!

Hi S. S - When my daughter was 6 months old, her vagina closed. I was mortified. I had never heard of such, and when I took her to the doctor he also prescribed an estrogen cream that I had to rub on her vagina. Eventually it opened back up and stayed open...I think maybe over a 2 week time span. The doctor assured me that it was not uncommon and he'd had girls as old as 16 years come in with the same problem, and at that age, it is a problem because the eurethra is then inside of the vagina instead of outside (as it is with your 3 year old). My opinion is to seek help from a specialist, you don't want a small problem to turn into a big problem somewhere down the line. Of course she hates it! Children hate cough medicine, and vegetables, and they hate coming in from the park after you've been there long enough, but we make them eat their vegetables just the same and bring them in from the park so that they can get some rest, because it is the best thing for them.

Well Good Luck in your endeavor, and just to reassure you....everything will be alright!!

Hi S.,

There is a great Female OB-GYN in Churchland Chesapeake that you can call and ask for her advice. Her name is Dr. Bunan Alnaif, MD. ###-###-####. I would urge you to call her office and see what she says. Good luck. D.

I never had this specific experience but as a mother with grown children I will tell you to get to a specialist ASAP. And go to the best, like a place like Johns Hopkins if you are in the DC/VA/MD area. I would definitely NOT let it go. You may be missing a threshold of treatment while she is young. As her mother it is your job to be informed. Not just let it go. You are her advocate. Get on the internet and become a specialist yourself. Find a specialist now!

My daughter was diagnosed with vaginal adhesion at her 1 yr peditrician appt. She was prescribed Premarin which is also a cream used by women going through menapause. I used it as instructed but just like with your daughter, it would seal again after being opened. I was not comfortable using this cream as a long term solution because when I read more about side effects it said it could cause cervical cancer...I would not want to feel responsible for that when she's older! After almost a year of of it only being partly opened I used t he cream again and once it was opened I kept vaseline on it for a few more weeks. The Dr. had explained that the skin once it isn"t sealed is like an open would so it will keep sealing if put in contact with another surface. That's why keeping vaseline on it helped it to let it heal competely. Luckily however during this entire time my daughter was still in diapers so it wasn't too difficult to put it on. Definitely see a specialist but I think that if she is being "traumatized" by having the cream oon then you want the fastest and obviously permanent solution. Good luck!

S.,
My daughter had the same problem when she was 3 1/2yrs old. Her pediatrician prescribed the same cream for her and I have to put it on her by using a q-tip, 2x a day. However, her case was quite similar to yours, although hers was probably 3/4 partially closed.

I felt so helpless whenever she screamed and cried. But I kept on assuring her that she need to relax and just let me help her. It was indeed a nightmare, but since it was a daily routine, she got used to it. At times, I used a little force to "open" it. She'll complain that it hurts, and sometimes it'll bleed a little. It hurts her everytime she goes for #1, but after a few times, she was fine. Gradually, I tone it down from 1x a day to every other day.

But remember, you just need to put a tiny bit on it - not a whole lot. Once it's open up, stop immediately. One thing that these doctors "forgot" to tell us parents is that the side effect of putting this cream too much on our skin, especially on infants and/or toddlers; could cause skin cancer down the road!

Today, things are back to normal. She is now 4yrs old, and nowadays, I would just check on her 2-3 times a week. I often get my daughter to drink plenty of water(we cook our own water), not only that it's good for her, but also to help "naturally" heal it by itself. You have to always remind your daughter to go use the bathroom and not hold it - cos it'll then lead to infection to her kidney.

Like many other things in life, surgery often sounded like the only solution to cure/heal the problem. In this case, you cannot give up so easily. Convince/talk constantly with your daughter about the fact that she needs to trust you in order to help ease the pain. Pace yourself, work together and she'll be alright soon.

Contact me directly if you need further clarification, etc.

Good luck!
- R. D.

About me:
Hubby and I works fulltime in the IT industry. Prefers natural remedy then OTC/doctors prescription. One and only daughter, who is in pre-school full time.

My 3-year-old also has labial adhesions. I had never heard of this either but her doctor says it at every check-up. Hers are not closed completely so we haven't done the hormone cream yet. It did get better after she was out of diapers. We put A&D ointment on with a Q-Tip morning and night and any other time she tells us it hurts. I see no need to use a prescription cream if over-the-counter A&D does the trick. But I know that they can get infections if it ever closes completely.

If your little girl is still in diapers, you may want to potty train or use cloth diapers. Also, no scented bath creams or bubbles and only use fragrance-free wipes for sensitive skin. If potty trained, make sure the toilet paper isn't leaving a linty residue-Charmin and other thick paper can. Use only quality 100% cotton panties.

It won't hurt to see a specialist to see what they have to say. I think surgery is really rare for this and would only be done with repeated, severe infections. Good luck!

You should take here to the specialist and when you go tell the specialist that the cream makes her red and sore. Ask if there is any alternitive besides the cream. Be sure you tell him how you feel about the who process that you daughter is going through and that how anxious a bought her closed vagina. Please don't egnore the problem and ask the docter all the questions you have. Start a list of questions to ask the specialist so you won't forget lanything. Don't feel bad if you forget anything because you can always call back and talk to the specialists nurse. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Its called a fused Labia. Both of my girls had a similar problem. We used Cream on my youngest and she did open back up again. Yes it does happen. Your daughter is 3 and it happened? Its probably been that way for along wile. Get it taken care of now. ITs much better too. It may make you feel uncomfortable to apply the creme, and yes it probably does irritate her, but she does not want to have something happen down the road, have to go to the ER and have them bust through it! My oldest had a kidney condition, we had to get a particular test done to see how it was functioning. One of the things they did was run a catheter. her labia was fused, and that SOB doc busted right through it without giving her ANYTHING no topical ointment to numb the area, nothing. The man was lucky he did not go through a wall although he did feel my wrath the next time we went to see him to repeat the test. Maybe you could teach her how to open her little lips on her won so her Vagina won't keep fusing together. My oldest is pretty goo about doing that. Just a suggestion. But DO NOT Let this go and not worry about it. Its something that needs to be taken care of and teach her how to take care of it herself if you are uncomfortable.

S.

Hi S.,

Poor baby. I feel for obth of you. Have you seen a specialist yet? I would definately take her to one. Do they recommend an OB/GYN, maybe you can ask yours. I would want to get it checked out because sometimes we hear more can be done when they are younger and less painful then when they get older, just so that you get a prognosis and figure out what to do. Good luck and I hope you find a solution for your baby girl.

Thanks
D.

Hi S. -

My daughter had the same problem when she was about 2 years old. The estrogen cream didn't work well for my daughter either, but I did feel awkward about applying it, so maybe I didn't put on enough, or apply it often enough. My daughter was already seeing a urologist for reflux in her bladder/kidneys, so her solution was to actually cut - ugh! To this day I regret following that doctor's advice. Get as many medical opinions as you can.

We saw a urologist after we moved here when my daughter was 3. I told him about the previous problem, and he said the solution was fairly simple - don't put your daughter in underwear at night. This allows the air to flow, I guess. We followed that advice, and it didn't close up again. My daughter is now 10, and is happy and healthy.

Good luck,
J. H.

My daughter had the same problem and i just let it open by itself i did used that estrogen cream but we didnt like how it made her act and she didnt like it either but now its open atleast wait until she 5 yrs and if it still is not open go talk with that specailist that is my opinion

Updated

My daughter had the same problem and i just let it open by itself i did used that estrogen cream but we didnt like how it made her act and she didnt like it either but now its open atleast wait until she 5 yrs and if it still is not open go talk with that specailist that is my opinion

Updated

My daughter had the same problem and i just let it open by itself i did used that estrogen cream but we didnt like how it made her act and she didnt like it either but now its open atleast wait until she 5 yrs and if it still is not open go talk with that specailist that is my opinion

hi S.! i see that you made this post in 2008, well i just got home from my daughters 2yr well check up and doctor tells me her vaginal opening is closed up. i freaked out!! i thought that it was something that i might have not done correctly?? she is about 90% potty trained so i never had the thought to "check" down there. =( i got the hormone cream prescribed and i dont know if i should go ahead and apply it?? or just let it open up on its own?? what did you do? and how has it been so far for your daughter!? help!!

been there twice my 1st daughter had it happen only 1 time around 4 after potty training,she would skip baths on/off Dr gave me premrin cream after a warm bath,i wiped it on where her slit should be, and after a week with warm baths & cream every night ,i put a thumb on both sides of entrance pulled LIGHTLY outward and ya could see that the cream does its job by eating away the layers of skin that's not supposed to be connected-(the adhesion) it didn't harm any other skin parts down there,my 2nd daughter went through 4 tubes of that cream over 4 yrs-good wiping habits helps and when were done bathing them girls we moms should towel dry the lip area down there well like we do ourselves(make sure there part-able)-its not perverted its our little girls and were the ones they count on to help out-good luck to anyone reading this-another Mom