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Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

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Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva - Symptom

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
  • Reviewed last on: 11/1/2009
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Sanfilippo JS. Vulvovaginal and müllerian anomalies. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 554.

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