Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

• Inability to empty the bladder (urinary retention)
• Lack of menstrual periods
• Painful intercourse
• Pelvic pain that comes back

Signs and tests:

Finding problems with development early is important, especially when the gender is unclear (sexual ambiguity).

An examination of the outside (external) genitals may show:

• Enlarged clitoris
• One side of labia larger than the other, or unusually large on both sides
• Opening of the vagina very close to the urethra or anus
• Urethra located on the clitoris

An examination of the vagina may show:

• Abnormal "wall" of tissue (septum) in the vagina that may either partly or completely divide the vagina across or straight up and down
• Blockage of the opening of the vagina (imperforate hymen), and a bulge at the opening of the vagina
• Labia that is stuck together (fused labia)
• Missing or partially formed vagina