Why is my daughter's vag "semi closed"?

Debra - posted on 01/15/2012

My kids actually got sick and had to be seen sooner than expected. He said hers is minimal and doesn't need the cream. He said it will go away on it's own.

Lucy - posted on 01/09/2012

Debra,

This is normal. I just recently went through this with my daughter. I was very scared as well but the cream worked and my baby is doing fine now. She had no side effects from the cream. You can check out my thread



"Labia Adhesions: how long does it take for the estrogen cream to work?"

Debra - posted on 01/08/2012

After things I have read, it does scare me. I don't want this to effect her the rest of her life. But I will keep you updated. I have no problem with that. :)

Amber - posted on 01/08/2012

You are very welcome. It was VERY scary for me when I first found out my daughter had it because I didn't know what to do. I'm glad I was able to share my experience and what I learned with you to help your daughter..Good luck to you and if you don't care keep my updated I would love to find out what they said to do.

Debra - posted on 01/08/2012

Thank you very much! :) I'll let you know. Appointments on the 24th.

Amber - posted on 01/08/2012

Just keep vaseline on her every time you change her put it on especially in the area that it has grown together. This will keep it from happening any further. When her estrogen levels get higher it should ease its way apart. When this happens just gently and I mean gently message it to ease it apart. Don't pull on it if it doesn't seem to be coming apart then wait for a little while but keep messaging it this will kinda loose it up.

I don't see any reason why your doctor wouldn't give you the cream but if they won't you can def do the things I suggested.

Debra - posted on 01/07/2012

No freak out. I definitely appreciate it. It's been very difficult for me to find help on the subject. I definitely do not want her to have any issues, especially because of my own judgment.

The only ones who watch her are my parents. I told them instantly and I have them change her often to keep her dry.


Just in case, what can I do if the pediatrician won't prescribe the estrogen cream?

Amber - posted on 01/07/2012

About a month or 2 after my daughter turned 2 some of it had grown back together. My doctor told me the same thing that it would correct its self when she started to gain estrogen, but that wasn't the case at all she still had VERY low estrogen levels and it ended up growing up until there was a pen size hole left. Took her to the doctor and they had to numb her privates and physically pull it apart, it was one of the worst days in my life she scream and cried and even still to this day (she is now 2.5) doesn't like you to wipe her "coonie" because it is still sensitive and to be honest if someone did that to me I wouldn't be to thrilled about ANYBODY touching me either. That's the only reason why I think it's important for you to think about the cream or just keep and very close eye on it and use vaseline every time you change her diaper just to keep it from going any further. If you have other people babysitting def inform them about the situation so they may also keep an eye on it and the vaseline on it. I would hate for this to happen to your little girl too.

Oh and by the way I'm not trying to freak you out, this was just my situation and I wanted to share it with you so you can better understand it. I hope everything works out for you and your little girl!

Debra - posted on 01/07/2012

He told me it would go away as she got older. I have read {may not be legit, of course} that as they get closer to 2 and start to gain estrogen that it will get better. The possible side effects of the cream made me a bit hesitant but if it NEEDS to be done, I will. I was told it was from inflammation or irritation. That when it becomes raw it fuses together. But my children have their well check on the 24th so I will definitely ask him about this. I haven't really been comfortable just leaving it be.

Amber - posted on 01/07/2012

When my daughter had it they said it was due to low estrogen in her body, so they gave us estrogen cream for it. Neither one of them had any side affects from the cream. You can also put vaseline on her privates and it will keep this from happening any further. I would talk to your doctor about the cream and see what they say, because they told me she would grow out of it, but what was already together would have to be pulled apart that it's not something that goes away on its own. This can also cause infections it grows up to much. So like I said I would def talk to him about your options.

Debra - posted on 01/07/2012

My niece has it as well but much worse. My brother took her to her well check on the 3rd and his pediatrician told him it was from wiping her back to front! None of us have ever done that. Been taught better since we were young.

But my pediatrician has said it will go away on it's own so I'm hoping. Don't really want to use the cream. :/ Did your daughter or niece have side effects?

Amber - posted on 01/07/2012

Yes it seems to be very normal my daughter had it. They gave me cream to put on her "coonie" (that's what she calls it) and it would help separate it. My niece also had it as well, they did the same thing.

Debra - posted on 12/14/2011

Thank you. :)

Jane - posted on 12/14/2011

I found this rather thorough explanation:

"Labial adhesion occurs in children when the inner vaginal lips fuse to each other. It often gives the appearance that the opening of the vagina has closed off.

Because the fusion sometimes creates a little pouch in front of the vagina where urine can collect, some children experience dribbling when they stand up after urinating. Occasionally a child will get a bladder infection or will have difficulty passing urine due to the obstruction but most often labial adhesions are not significant enough to obstruct the flow of urine.


Experts aren't completely sure why the lips fuse together. The most likely cause is that inflammation of the labia minora creates two raw surfaces at the edges of the lips, which eventually heal together in the middle, partly or fully covering the opening of the vagina.

Many factors can lead to inflammation and irritation of the vaginal lips. Exposure to irritants like fabric softener residue, perfumed soaps, or bits of stool; or a prolonged exposure to damp (as in wet diapers) all can cause irritation of the area. The lack of estrogen (which is normal before puberty) probably plays a role in this process.


Labial adhesions are commonly found in young girls between the ages of three months and six years. While experts used to think medical or surgical treatment was necessary, recent research has shown that cases involving adherence that is not obstructing the flow of urine usually resolve on their own over a period of 6 to 18 months.

However, even when treatment is used, the likelihood that the labial adhesions will recur is high. The best approach is to eliminate factors that lead to inflammation and then be patient. Active treatment may be most helpful if your child is getting bladder infections, is extremely bothered by dribbling after urination, or has difficulty passing urine.


When treatment is necessary, a small amount of estrogen cream, sold by prescription, can be gently rubbed onto the area of fusion twice a day. Using a cotton-tipped applicator can assist you as you also put a bit of pressure along the fusion line. This therapy should be combined with careful avoidance of irritants and a daily bath in plain water. The labia usually will separate by three to eight weeks.

Parents should be aware that some girls, and even infants, will experience a small amount of breast development during treatment with topical estrogen cream because the hormone can be absorbed into the blood stream. If this happens, consult your practitioner. It may be reassuring to know that the breast tissue usually goes away once the estrogen treatment is stopped.

If estrogen treatment is not fully successful by eight weeks, a topical anesthetic like xylocaine ointment or EMLA cream can be used in the office and the practitioner can gently tease apart the lips. Parents should be aware that some practitioners have been taught to manually separate the child's adhered vaginal lips in the office setting without pretreatment with estrogen or topical anesthesia. This should be avoided, since the raw edges inevitably re-adhere, and the procedure is quite painful.

Vulvar care measures combined with estrogen treatment when indicated is usually all that is needed. However, there have been reports of rare cases in which the labia totally heal together, forming a "skin bridge" that requires surgery.


After the labia separate, daily bathing in a tub of plain water, avoiding irritants, and treating the area with petrolatum or ointment usually prevents recurrence. Good vulvar hygiene does not mean that you need to scrub the vaginal area. Rather, it means avoiding irritants and trying to expose the area to some air every day." http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Debra - posted on 12/14/2011

No, it is not.

Jane - posted on 12/14/2011

This isn't her hymen?