Synechiae of the labia minora or uterine: find out how they are treated
Synechiae is a medical term that indicates the total or partial fusion of the labia minora of the female genital organ. But that's not all: this word also indicates another type of disorder that instead affects the uterus and could be dangerous even and especially if you are looking for a pregnancy. Before investigating further and also understanding how to cure the problem, here is a video with some curiosities about the vagina.
Synechiae of the labia minora: what is there to know?
It is almost always a benign disease that can affect girls from six months of age up to 7-8 years of age. It generally disappears spontaneously with the onset of puberty, but the fusion of the labia minora can almost completely close the vaginal canal, leaving only a very small space from which urine comes out, while the vaginal entrance and the hymen are absolutely not visible.
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Causes underlying synechiae
- Low estrogen levels
After birth, the progressive disappearance of maternal estrogens occurs, and this can lead to skin dryness for the girls who are predisposed to it, which favors the fusion of the labia minora and therefore the appearance of synechiae.
- Poor hygiene
If you are not particularly attentive to the hygiene of the genital area, a stagnation of feces and urine could occur which causes inflammation which in turn gives rise to synechiae.
- Diaper rash
Diaper rashes can be dangerous if not treated in the right way, and they too can be considered to underlie the fusion of the labia minora.
- Use of aggressive detergents
Intimate cleansing products should always be gentle, so it's important to choose one that's suitable for children's sensitive skin.
- Synthetic or poorly breathable clothing
The diaper is usually not very breathable, which is why it should be changed often and at each change a careful washing of the area should be done to avoid redness and irritation. When your daughter starts with panties, it is always better to opt for those in breathable cotton.
Main symptoms of synechiae
The synechiae in most cases are absolutely asymptomatic, therefore not easily identifiable if a thorough inspection of the genitals is not carried out. Parents may notice their presence during diaper changes, for example. Or, during the periodic visits to the pediatrician, the latter may notice the fusion of the labia minora.
If the fusion of the labia minora is partial, no symptoms will occur, but in the rare cases where the synechiae are complete, it is possible that there is a stagnation of urine and therefore an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Pain is hardly ever felt in the genital region, and if it happens, it is due to the fact that peeing must be done under pressure to overcome resistance due to the restricted passage. If the girl is already around the age of puberty and is peeing alone, you may observe that she assumes particular positions to avoid getting wet and may feel pain when performing gymnastic exercises that involve the forced spreading of the legs.
If your daughter experiences itching in the genital area, it will be necessary to seek immediate medical attention to rule out a dermatological pathology linked to synechiae: scleroatrophic lichen, in which the mucous membrane of the genitals is thin, atrophic and whitish.
Synechiae: how are they treated?
Only the pediatrician will be able to define, based on the severity of the pathology, the most suitable treatment to solve the problem of synechiae. Either way, here's what you can do.
- Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E-based oil is useful in less severe cases of fusion of the labia minora. It works by softening the skin and slowly "ungluing" the two parts of the epidermis from each other.
- Cream containing estrogen
In the most serious cases, however, only if your doctor prescribes it, it is advisable to apply locally with a cotton swab an estrogen-containing cream once a day for 2 or 4 weeks, focusing on the central line of the fusion. Those who use this type of product have not experienced severe side effects, other than a slight irritation around the genital area, a temporary dark pigmentation of the skin, or a little bleeding at the end of the therapy. At the end of the treatment the fusion can recur, so it may be useful to apply wheat germ oil to maintain the right hydration.
Uterine synechiae: what is it?
Unlike the synechiae that affect the female genitalia, the uterine synechiae are adhesions that are created in the uterus. Among the main causes are scrapings following a spontaneous abortion or voluntary termination of pregnancy. In other cases, some maneuvers practiced during childbirth can give rise to uterine synechiae. The main symptom that can occur is the reduction of menstrual flow until its total absence. Uterine synechiae can also be a cause of infertility.
The main examination to arrive at a diagnosis is hysteroscopy, a type of endoscopic examination which consists in the introduction inside the uterus of an instrument connected to a camera that displays and shows the synechiae, where present.
In all these cases, the only effective treatment is surgical intervention by operative hysteroscopy.
