Many are interested in what synechia is, how to cope with this disease and whether it is possible to achieve a good result in the treatment. This problem occurs in girls under the age of 6-8 years. Such an ailment implies a adhesion of the labia, sometimes covering only the gap of the vagina, and in some cases also the urethra.
What is synechia in girls
This is a fairly common phenomenon, which occurs mainly in a young child. A similar pathological condition is the fusion or adhesion of the labia.
According to statistics, to a certain extent it occurs in 3% of female children, but it can also occur much more often. The thing is that such a pathology does not always bother the child, which is why parents often do not attach any importance to it. Synechiae implies that the labia majora and labia minora may grow together. In this case, the entrance to the vagina is blocked and the outflow of urine is significantly complicated. Knowing what synechia is, why it occurs and how to deal with it, you can achieve a very good result in treatment.
Causes of occurrence
Synechia in a child occurs for a variety of reasons, the main of which is the presence of congenital pathologies. In addition, the occurrence of such a defect leads to an insufficient content of the hormone estrogen in the body of a pregnant woman. As already noted, the synechia of the labia minora is considered the closure of the entrance to the vagina. The following factors lead to this:
- washing the labia too often;
- wearing uncomfortable clothes or underwear made of artificial fabrics;
- the presence of infection in the urethra;
- vulvovaginitis;
- allergy.
Of course, the hygiene of the genitals of the girl must be monitored, but everything should be done in moderation, since frequent and too intense washing can provoke the adhesion of the labia. It is especially harmful to use ordinary cosmetic soap for washing the girl, as this leads to tissue damage.
Synechia of the labia minora can occur not only in newborns, but also in older girls, for example, from 3 to 8 years. This happens mainly due to wearing too tight and uncomfortable underwear made of artificial fabrics. As a result of excessive pressure on the genitals, this pathology occurs. The fusion of the labia minora in girls also occurs due to the presence of a prolonged inflammatory process. Often, it proceeds in a latent form and looks like a slight reddening. If treatment is not done in a timely manner, complication may occur.
The child’s hygiene needs to be treated very responsibly, children should be washed separately from all others, and ironed carefully. Synechia of the labia minora can also occur in the presence of allergies, since the mucous membrane of the vulva is very susceptible to various kinds of irritating factors and is easily damaged.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of synechia are quite pronounced, so they can not be confused with other pathologies in a child. A girl may suffer from the problem of fused small and large labia. There may additionally be a problem of outflow of urine. In this case, the child experiences significant discomfort, pain in the lower abdomen and frequent urination. If the disease arose due to an allergy, then itching and burning can also be observed.
In the presence of pathology, there may be redness and irritation of the mucous membrane in the child. The girl becomes restless and complains of discomfort while walking. If there are doubts about the presence of a problem in the baby, you need to visit a pediatric gynecologist. He will be able to make the correct diagnosis and determine what exactly needs to be done to prevent injury and infectious processes.
Treatment should be started as early as possible, since the labia of the girls is connected by an almost transparent and thin film, which over time becomes dense. In the presence of complete intergrowth, correction is carried out only by surgery.
Diagnostics
Synechia of the labia minora is called their intergrowth, which provokes the overlap of the vaginal gap. The diagnosis is usually confirmed after an initial examination by a doctor. A pediatrician examines a child up to a year, and a pediatric gynecologist examines older girls. If you suspect the presence of an infectious process, an additional examination may be prescribed.
In this case, the following analyzes are carried out:
- PCR diagnostics;
- smears on the microflora;
- back sowing;
- ultrasound diagnostics.
After a comprehensive examination, the doctor prescribes competent treatment using various techniques.
How is the treatment
Many parents, concerned about the occurrence of adhesion of the labia in a child, are wondering how to treat synechia and what is best to do in this situation. Usually, treatment is selected based on the primary cause of the pathology. If the initial stage of synechia is observed without difficulty in the process of urination, then in this case it is required:
- massage and regular extension of the labia;
- compliance with hygiene rules;
- application along the line of splicing ointment with estrogen.
If an infection of the genitourinary system additionally joins, then you need to conduct a course of antibacterial therapy, and probiotics and drugs that prevent the growth of fungi will also be required. If synechia occurs due to the presence of allergies, it is important to determine the cause of the problem in a timely manner. In this case, you need to apply a cream with estrogen and try to prevent relapses. In addition, a special diet can be prescribed for the child to help eliminate allergies.
If the pathology is quite serious and there is a problem with urination, as well as discomfort, then doctors recommend a dissection of synechia.
The use of folk remedies
There are also folk methods by which treatment can be carried out. If the child has a fusion of the labia and this causes some discomfort, then special warm baths with decoctions of herbs can help. They effectively eliminate puffiness and relax muscles.
You can also wash the girl from front to back with decoctions of herbs. After carrying out hygiene procedures, it is necessary to lubricate the splicing place with sea buckthorn oil. However, one should observe moderation, since too frequent and intensive hygienic procedures can also cause injury to the child.
In very severe cases, herbs with a hormonal effect are used, which need to be brewed, and then decoction the places of adhesion of the labia.
Surgical intervention
In some cases, if the pathology is significant and causes great discomfort to the child, it remains only to resort to the surgical removal of synechia. The operation is carried out using modern techniques, which is why it is almost painless. Nevertheless, the psychological aspect plays an important role.
Dissection is performed with a scalpel, and the operation itself lasts for only a few minutes. The recovery period is quite painful, so at this time you need to carefully monitor hygiene. So that urination does not cause pain, and healing is fast enough, the child is prescribed sedentary baths with medicinal herbs, lotions and antibacterial ointments.
In connection with the experiences during the operation, the girl sometimes has neurological disorders, which in the future can affect the quality of her sex life. That is why doctors perform surgery only in the most extreme cases.
However, the operation does not guarantee that the fusion will not occur again. Between the labia, a commissure may again occur. Parents, of course, are not required to agree to an operation, but sometimes it is simply necessary.
Hygiene procedures
Proper personal hygiene plays a very important role in the prevention of this pathology. Therefore, mothers need to know how to wash the girl properly. This should be done with warm running water, after washing your hands thoroughly. The anus and genitals must be washed with different hands to prevent infection.
The stream of water should be directed to the vagina from front to back. Be sure to use only high-quality certified hygiene products, preferably for children. They must have a neutral pH, and their composition should include a complex of trace elements and no allergens. It is not recommended to use hygiene products for adults. Knowing how to wash a girl, you can avoid many different problems.
Therapeutic massage and special baths
Herbal baths and special massage sessions can be very useful. During the massage, you must first lubricate your hands with Bepanten ointment. For sedentary baths, herbs such as:
- sage;
- chamomile;
- calendula.
The duration of the procedure should not exceed 10 minutes. After that, you can lubricate the genitals of the child. It is best to use oil without any additives. Massage involves lightly stroking your fingers without pressure. However, in this case, movements should be aimed at the gradual separation of the labia. The result will not be noticeable immediately, for this reason you need to try not to cause the girl pain.
It must be remembered that such procedures at home can only be carried out if there is a partial form of synechia that proceeds without complications. Before using medicinal herbs and oils, the possibility of an allergy should be considered.
The use of special ointments
If synechiae is accompanied by a certain discomfort and pain, then the standard methodology of therapy implies the use of special ointments with estrogen or ordinary baby creams. You need to apply the ointment with your finger strictly along the adhesion line, trying not to touch the rest of the genital area. Often, doctors are prescribed Traumeel or Ovestin for this purpose. Most often, these drugs are used in combination with other agents.
The duration of therapy is approximately 2 weeks, while the ointment is applied 1-2 times a day. Then the doctor evaluates the result and, if necessary, appoints a second course of treatment.
Preventive actions
Preventing the appearance of synechia in girls is quite simple. To do this, you must adhere to the following preventive measures:
- comply with the basic rules for washing;
- choose hygiene products without dyes and fragrances;
- prevent a large amount of soap from getting on the mucous membrane of the vulva;
- change diapers in a timely manner, using them only as needed;
- to purchase only high-quality underwear made of natural cotton;
- rinse genitals without soap after each urination.
If the child’s pathology has passed independently, then preventive measures still need to be observed, since there is a high probability of a relapse. It is very important to monitor the condition of the girl's genitals up to puberty. If she first had a pathology, then you need to see a doctor and only after that carry out treatment, according to the available appointments.
Possible complications
Often, synechia in girls is small, which is why there are no dangerous health effects. Such a pathology can interfere with normal urination, but not provoke the occurrence of discomfort. However, over time, the adhesion may increase, which will interfere with the normal development of the child’s genitals, and in the future will lead to impaired reproductive function. In this case, it is imperative to closely monitor the health status and development of the girl.
In more dangerous cases, the space between the labia remains closed, which creates favorable conditions for the spread of the infectious process. Moreover, the consequences can be very deplorable, since pathogens tend to spread throughout the body. That is why the timely treatment of a doctor for complex treatment is important.
If synechia occurs in girls, many doctors recommend that no independent action be taken to resolve the problem, but the child should be under the supervision of a doctor all the time.