When parents first notice synechiae, or the fusion of the labia in girls, it can cause them concern. This condition develops when the vagina’s inner lips stick together, covering the vaginal opening entirely or partially. Synechiae are more common than you might think and can occur in young girls, especially during infancy and early childhood, despite the fact that they may seem frightening.
Synechiae are important to recognize, but not always so. There may be no symptoms at all, or there may be very mild ones. Occasionally, parents become aware of the problem only when changing their child’s diaper or giving them a bath. Knowing the symptoms of synechiae and when to consult a doctor can help you avoid needless anxiety and guarantee the comfort and well-being of your child.
This article will explain synechiae, including what they look like, why they happen, and what to do if you think your child may have them. Recall that the majority of cases are benign and easily treatable with the appropriate attention and advice from your pediatrician.
- What is it?
- Symptoms
- Behavior and well-being
- Visual examination
- Signs of the initial stage
- Signs of the "advanced" stage
- Video on the topic
- What synechiae look like in girls and how it should be – photo. Treatment and care for fusion of the labia .
- Synechiae in girls. Simply about the important
- Synechia of the labia in girls: how to recognize and how to treat. Advice from a pediatric gynecologist.
- Synechia (fusion) of the labia minora in girls.
- Synechia in girls
- Synechia in girls – what is it, causes and signs of organ adhesion
- LIVE BROADCAST OF SYNECHIA IN GIRLS
What is it?
Adhesions, also known as synechiae, are the fusion of labia with one another. The labia minora are connected in the vast majority of cases. The labia majora and labia minora do, however, also grow symmetrically together.
Physicians surmise that this results from a young age-related physiological deficiency of female sex hormones.
The labia are tight, dense, and elastic because of estrogens. Following birth, a newborn girl "inherits" a significant amount of estrogens from her mother. Adhesion is prevented for her.
But hormonal reserves are depleted rather than replenished, and by six months, all girls are susceptible to synechia. There are numerous provocative elements. This covers inadequate personal hygiene, bacterial infections that cause inflammation in the external genitalia, and inflammations resulting from medication use, contact with allergens, alkalis, and strong detergents that irritate the skin and mucous membranes during an allergic reaction.
The lips may form moderate synechia when they grow together partially, or they may merge by a third, half, or full degree. We will refer to these synechia as complete.
The fact that both the urethral and vaginal openings are closed can occasionally exacerbate this pathology by causing inflammation. Urination becomes challenging and vaginal discharge, which has no outlet, becomes a source of inflammation and a threat to the girl’s entire reproductive system. We refer to these synechia as complicated.
Treatment for mild forms of adhesion is not necessary. Treatment for complex forms and complete synechia should begin right away. For this reason, it’s critical that parents be able to identify pathological adhesions, identify them, and promptly seek medical attention.
Symptoms
A gynecologist will typically find synechia (or multiple synechia) during a routine examination. This is the vast majority of cases. And all of this is due to the fact that girls are rarely vocal about their discomfort; the fusion happens unnoticed, unfelt, and the child experiences no pain or complaints. However, watchful parents should be able to tell when there are even slight behavioral changes in their child or when their young daughter’s genitalia appear. It is important to be aware of the following indicators.
Behavior and well-being
When a child has partial synechia, which develops smoothly, their behavior remains unchanged. The fusion process can proceed very slowly over several months, or very quickly. After giving their daughter a bath in the evening, parents should closely inspect her external reproductive organs to make sure they don’t miss any pathology.
When a child has complete synechia and the fused labia minora obstruct the urethra, it will be simpler for the parents to recognize that something is wrong. The girl will strain, tense up, and worry a great deal with each urination. This type of adhesion process results in a sensation of a mechanical obstruction but does not cause excruciating pain. Screaming, sobbing, and other loud "signals" for assistance are therefore unlikely to happen.
Complicated adhesions can cause erratic behavior, crying when urinating, appetite loss in the baby, and restless sleep in infants. Vulvitis, also known as vulvovaginitis, is an inflammatory condition that causes pain during urination and persistent itching and tingling in the labia and vaginal opening region in children.
It’s possible for an older girl to grumble that it "hurts to pee." You cannot disregard these grievances. It is not advisable to start treating your child’s cystitis at home right away. You should start by closely inspecting the girl’s genitalia for any potential adhesions.
Visual examination
Examining the girl’s genitalia in the evening, right before bed, is ideal (after an evening bath). You should do this in a room with good lighting. Use a flashlight if there is insufficient light. After placing the girl on her back, the genital slit needs to be closely examined.
The synechiae resemble membranes that connect the labia. The texture of the film is fairly dense, giving the impression that it is stretched both horizontally and diagonally. A tiny "seam," or the line along which the fusion developed, can be seen in the middle of the movie.
The lower third of the labia minora typically fuses with partial synechiae. Nevertheless, it also occurs that the upper portions fuse. No additional visual symptoms accompany moderate synechiae.
The film will be easily noticeable and clearly visible once the genital slit has grown completely over. If the urethra is also covered by the film, it will be extremely difficult to see the entrance to the vagina, if it is closed.
The image will be considerably "more picturesque" if this pathology is complex. The external genitalia will appear slightly reddened and enlarged. If the girl was scratching herself because she was itching, there might be scratches and minor wounds. When vaginitis or vulvovaginitis occur, the vaginal discharge has a strong, disagreeable odor and can be yellowish, white-yellow, or purulent.
An inflammatory appearance is seen in the upper third of the labia when urination is problematic. There will be a noticeable localized redness near the pee outlet opening.
Often called vaginal adhesions, synechiae are abnormal tissue growths that stick the vaginal walls together in girls. These growths can occasionally cause discomfort or complications. Physical examinations are typically used to detect these adhesions, which have a number of potential causes, including infections and hormone imbalances. To ensure appropriate treatment and maintain overall health, it is imperative to recognize their appearance and comprehend their potential impact.
Signs of the initial stage
Adhesions are very hard to see in the early stages. Usually, the adhesive film appears as individual threads stretched between the labia when full fusion has not yet started.
Parents need to know that it is not worth it to try to rip the film or individual threads with your hands. This will put the child in excruciating pain and increase the chance of genital infection. Adhesion separation is a task best left to experts; local anesthetic should be used along with instruments.
Signs of the "advanced" stage
Almost nothing is visible through a thick, opaque layer with a grayish or blue tint; this is a sign of a long-standing, "neglected" issue. Whether or not the fusion is complex and complete determines whether or not there is inflammation, redness, rash, and discharge.
Long-term synechiae will not significantly alter the child’s behavior. If the girl was initially bothered by something, it’s likely that the baby is happy and active and that the body has already learned to compensate for the inconvenience—that is, assuming there isn’t acute inflammation.
| What Synechiae Look Like | Description |
| Appearance | Synechiae are thin, tissue-like bands or adhesions that can form in the vaginal area, often causing the vaginal walls to stick together. |
| Location | They are typically found in the vaginal opening or the inner labia. |
| Symptoms | They might cause discomfort, pain, or difficulty with urination or menstruation, though they can sometimes be asymptomatic. |
| Detection | They are usually detected during a physical examination by a healthcare provider. |
| Treatment | Treatment may involve a minor surgical procedure or topical estrogen creams, depending on the severity. |
Many parents may be concerned about their daughters’ synechiae, but with the right knowledge, they are controllable. Early symptom recognition and knowing what to look for will help guarantee your child receives the care they require.
Do not become alarmed if you observe symptoms of synechiae, such as partially or fully fused labia. It’s a prevalent ailment with generally easy treatment. For advice on the best course of action, always consult a pediatrician or other healthcare professional.
Recall that you can avoid problems and maintain your child’s health and happiness by being informed and scheduling routine check-ups with your child’s physician.
