Synechia in girls is diagnosed at an early age. Moms sometimes do not realize that the daughter has a fusion of the labia. Therefore, the conclusion of a specialist who examined the child before enrolling in kindergarten can shock parents. What treatment of synechia in girls is prescribed will be described in this article.
What it is
Synechia in girls is a common pathology. According to medical statistics, only 3-4% of babies have a union of the labia. In practice, any gynecologist in 25-30% of girls observes the symptoms of this pathology. It’s just that not all experts consider it a dangerous disease, but attribute it to the developmental features of the child’s body.
Synechia - fusion (sticking together) of the labia minora. Pathology is diagnosed in girls at 2-3 years old. However, this process occurs earlier. From about 6 months of age to 8-9 years, a specialist can make such a diagnosis.
Main types
Specialists divide synechia into 2 varieties: incomplete and complete fusion. In the first case, the size of the adhesion is 5 mm and does not cause any discomfort.
It is much more difficult to treat synechia in girls with full or almost complete fusion. This type of pathology requires constant monitoring and careful treatment.
What is the danger?
The joint of the labia in girls is characterized by a violation of the genitourinary system. If the child does not have painful sensations and does not interfere with the urination process, then it is enough to control this condition with the gynecologist.
What to do with synechia in a girl? If you do not deal with proper treatment, then the size of the adhesions will increase.
Incomplete fusion of the labia may develop into a more serious form of pathology. Inflammatory processes that occur in this case sometimes affect the internal genital organs, which can lead to their incorrect development.
Lack of proper and timely treatment leads to urethritis or cystitis. Such consequences may negatively affect the ability to become pregnant in the future.
Causes of synechiae
It is not precisely established why there is a union of the labia. However, studies indicate a hypothetical relationship between synechia and the production of sex hormones. In a newborn baby, they are absent, but there is estrogen received from the mother. It improves the elasticity of the labia, therefore, up to 6 months, synechia does not develop.
After 6 months, mother’s estrogen ends, and for a girl’s own, it’s not enough. The labia become inelastic, therefore, under the influence of negative factors, their fusion occurs. The causes of synechia in girls include the following:
- Allergic reactions. Their appearance on the skin affects the genital area. An inflammatory process develops at the site of the lesion. After the skin heals, the labia connects.
- Inflammatory processes caused by a bacterial infection. Microorganisms that cause inflammation of the genitourinary system, get on the genitals due to errors of care (improper washing).
- Chemical irritants: if the girls wash their clothes with aggressive powders that are not intended for babies, or if the baby’s diaper is rarely changed and washed with soap 2-3 times a day.
- Mechanical irritation of the genitals occurs due to wearing things from synthetic materials. In this case, the likelihood of irritation is high, and after healing - the union of the labia.
- Unobvious reasons. If synechiae are present, but all known factors have not been confirmed.
Identifying the exact cause does not affect the diagnosis. Treatment of synechia in girls does not depend on the factor that caused the problem.
It is believed that a predisposition is present in any baby, and the causes of the appearance of pathology are evaluated in a complex.
Symptoms
Splicing can occur within a few weeks, and can occur in a matter of days. The girl does not feel this process. Her behavior rarely changes, she does not feel pain, itching and other inconveniences. Therefore, it is simply impossible to notice synechia in girls at the initial stage. Pathology can be noticed when the union of the labia has already occurred.
An exception is their fusion in their upper third, which partially or completely blocks the urethra. The child may experience discomfort. During urination, attentive parents notice that the baby is pushing, blushing and begins to behave uneasily. Such symptoms of synechia in a girl are not specific, so they can remain undetected for a long time.
They become noticeable when a film appears between the labia of the child. In the middle of the septum, a median strip (fusion zone) is visible. When connecting the labia, the entrance to the vagina is closed by a third, half or completely.
If the small and large labia are fused, then this happens symmetrically on both sides. If the synechiae is complete, then it is impossible to consider the entrance to the urethra.
The complicated course of the disease can lead to reddening of the genitals according to the type of vulvitis or vulvovaginitis. Parents notice vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. This process is characterized by severe itching, pain. The behavior of the child changes, he is anxious after each urination. Body temperature rises slightly if complicated synechia is observed. In other cases, it remains normal, the child's well-being does not change. He, as usual, eats and sleeps.
Diagnostics
Mom can examine the synechia of a child on her own, because no tools are needed for this. The film connecting the labia is clearly distinguishable. After the mother has discovered synechia, she should consult a specialist.
He will examine the genitals of the child, determine the degree of fusion and prescribe the necessary examination. This is necessary to establish a physiological problem or it is a complication of synechia.
Assign such tests:
- seeding for urogenital infections;
- general tests of urine and blood;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (prescribed in case of extensive fusion and the existing signs of visual inflammation).
If the doctor at the examination finds a small size of adhesions, then he will not appoint an additional examination.
Danger
In most situations, synechia does not pose any threat to the health and life of the girl. But a complete fusion or overlapping of the urethra with adhesions creates an enclosed space. It forms vaginal discharge and urine residues. Closed spaces - an environment that promotes the propagation of pathogenic microflora. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, then inflammation will affect important reproductive organs (uterus, appendages, ovaries).
Therefore, complicated synechia must be treated. This cannot be said of all other mergers. If the film does not block the urethra or vagina, they will not be removed. The specialist prescribes the systematic observation of the child, because in 90% of cases they pass independently by 7-8 years, when puberty begins. When the amount of hormones becomes larger, then the external genitalia will become more elastic and denser, and the fusion will pass by itself. Uncomplicated synechiae does not subsequently affect the reproductive abilities of the girl. The labia do not change their shape.
Conservative treatment
Therapy with synechia begins with the appointment of drugs by a specialist. The treatment is carried out at home, it is not recommended to hospitalize the girl.
To make up for the lack of female sex hormones, an ointment containing estrogen is prescribed. Usually cream "Ovestin." The course of therapy is 5-6 weeks. The scheme is as follows:
- The first 2 weeks are treated with cream of the labia twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
- The next 14 days, Ovestin cream is used once a day - in the morning. In the evening, they use an ordinary baby cream or petroleum jelly for lubrication. You can replace them with peach or liquid paraffin.
- Within 7 days, only baby cream is used.
Apply Ovestin cream as follows. This is done with a finger, and not with other devices. The cream should not get on the tissues adjacent to the adhesion; when applying it to the junction, you need to slightly press. This is important for the separation process.
After the course, the specialist evaluates the effect. With a positive effect, the separation of synechia occurs, due to the influence of "Ovestin". If negative, separation does not occur. In case of doubt, the division is only partial.
With a positive effect, it is prescribed for girls with synechia "Contractubex". The drug forms a smooth and elastic tissue, preventing reunion. They treat the labia of the girl twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
The main condition for the use of "Contractubex" is the complete separation of adhesions.
If there is inflammation for several days, the girl is washed with medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula). Redness is smeared with Bepanten cream. Then they proceed to the course of treatment with Ovestin. In some cases, an oil solution of vitamin A and Methyluracil Ointment are used to treat the fusion zone.
Surgical intervention
If drug therapy did not have a positive effect, then the separation of synechia in the girl is carried out.
Parents must agree to undergo surgery under local anesthesia so that the child is not hurt. After the procedure, a course of "Ovestin" is prescribed for 7-10 days, and then "Contractubex" for the prevention of relapse.
Even if the operation is carried out correctly, the risk of recurrence of synechia remains high. If the parents correctly carried out the subsequent treatment, then the possible recurrence of the problem is reduced to 5%.
Folk remedies for synechia
Usually, any vegetable oil therapy is attached to the drugs, especially sea buckthorn.
Treatment of synechia in girls with folk remedies should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. When buying sea buckthorn oil, parents should make sure that it is vegetable, not essential, and does not contain any impurities. Only the natural composition of the product will have a positive effect on the therapy process.
If the oil is used to treat synechia, then it is applied to the labia minora and rubbed with slight pressure. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a day.
If you are allergic to sea buckthorn oil, it can be replaced with peach oil. For prevention, use your fingers to dilute the baby's labia and drip 2 drops of the drug inside.
Prevention of synechia in girls
More recently, it was believed that the fusion of the labia is a consequence of insufficient hygienic procedures. Today, experts do not put forward this factor as the most important in the prevention of synechia.
Recommendations for preventing labial fusion are as follows:
- Parents should avoid including allergenic foods in their baby’s food to minimize this factor.
- The child should be given medications with caution. This can lead to side effects in the form of skin problems of the external genitalia.
- To prevent the development of bacterial urinary tract infections in girls, they should be washed only under running water.
- Use baby soap for girls once a day. All other washings are carried out under running water.
- In the process of hygiene procedures, it is important to ensure that soapy water does not get on the delicate mucous membranes and in the vagina. This can lead to chemical irritation and contribute to adhesions.
- The girl’s underwear should be sewn from natural fabrics, without adding synthetics.
- Things that interact with the skin of intimate places should be washed only with hypoallergenic products.
- After bathing the child in the pool or river, rinse the genitals with water and put on clean panties.
Applying such recommendations, it is possible not only to prevent the development of synechia in the girl, but also to prevent their reappearance.
Conclusion
Treatment of synechia in girls should be carried out correctly and under the supervision of a specialist. Only a doctor will help to quickly solve the problem and prevent its occurrence in the future.