It occurs as a result of the structures defined as the small lips in the genitals of girls sticking together in the middle. This adhesion can sometimes be up to the top and block the urine exit hole. It affects 3% of girls under the age of ten. The most common age is 13-23 months.
Although there are different opinions about the cause, it usually occurs after the first 6 months. It occurs due to dryness or irritation of the area during a period when the secretions that keep this area moist decrease. Toilet paper, caustic soap, shampoos, pinworms or sexual abuse have been shown to cause this irritation. It is also thought to be related to low estrogen levels before puberty.
They usually do not cause symptoms. It can be noticed when babies are bathed or changing diapers. Sometimes it can cause urinary tract infection by causing difficulty in urination or urine remaining in the vagina after urination. Urinary tract infection can be noticed during research.
The first step in treatment is to relieve the family's anxiety. In the treatment of labial adhesions, it is necessary to eliminate the irritation or infection condition first. There are those who apply hormone creams as treatment. Although there is no definite consensus on the frequency and duration of estrogen cream use, it has been observed in most studies that it is applied once or twice a day for a few weeks. Surgical separation is required in cases that do not open or recur.
The surgical procedure is the mechanical (blunt) separation of the adhesion. Frequent regional care and control and close follow-up of 2-3 weeks are important after surgery. While this procedure is performed with local anesthetic creams in infants, it is recommended to be performed under sedation in operating room conditions in older children.