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Developmental disorders of the female reproductive tract

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary according to the specific problem. They may include:

• Lack of breast development
• Lump in the stomach area, usually due to blood or mucus that cannot flow out
• Menstrual flow that occurs despite using a tampon (a sign of a second vagina)
• Monthly cramping or pain, without menstruation
• No menstruation ( amenorrhea )
• Repeated miscarriages or preterm births (may be due to an abnormal uterus)

Signs and tests:

The doctor may notice signs of a developmental disorder right away. Such signs may include:

• Genitals that are hard to identify as a girl or boy (ambiguous genitalia)
• Bladder on the outside of the body
• Labia that is connected together
• No openings in the genital area or a single rectal opening

Karyotyping may be done if the person has ambiguous genitalia. If there is swollen abdomen or a lump in the groin or abdomen, the doctor will order tests to determine the cause.

Tests may include:

• Ultrasound or MRI
• Hormone levels, especially testosterone and cortisol
• Endoscopy of the abdomen
• Urine and serum electrolytes

References:

Emans SJ, Laufer MR, Goldstein DP. Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.

Stenchever A. Comprehensive Gynecology . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:253-67.

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology . 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2002:2428-63.

• Review Date: 5/7/2007
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMedHealthcare Network.

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