Pediatric Absence of Vagina or Inadequate Vaginal Length

Pediatric Absence of Vagina or Inadequate Vaginal Length

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Summary

Certain congenital (present at birth) conditions in females lead to an absent vagina or a vagina that is not adequate for sexual function, and may not permit menstruation.

Expanded overview

It's quite rare for a female to be born with an absent or inadequate vagina — about 1 in every 5,000 to 7,000. Several rare conditions lead to either an absent vagina or a vagina that is not deep enough for sexual function. 

Causes

Conditions that can lead to an absence of vagina or inadequate vaginal length include:

  • Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome – condition in which the vagina did not develop while the female baby was developing in the mother's womb.
  • Vaginal agenesis – rare disorder in which the vagina doesn’t develop and the uterus may only partially develop (if at all).
  • Vaginal atresia – condition in which the vagina is abnormally closed or absent.

Symptoms

Symptoms of these conditions often go unnoticed until girls reach puberty (between the ages of 10 and 14 for females*.) Symptoms include:

  • Teenaged female who hasn't yet menstruated
  • Monthly cramping and/or abdominal pain without having a period

Treatment

*Age of puberty is middle childhood to teenage years as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

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