Thursday, February, 09, 2012

Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva

Table of Contents

Treatment
  • Counseling for the parents (and child, if necessary) to address concerns and provide guidance for the child's development
  • Hormones (depending on the condition)
  • Surgery when the child is a newborn or infant (or sometimes not until after puberty) to make the genitals match with the child's gender (with the expert advice of a geneticist or other specialist)

Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

It helps to find the problem while the child is still a newborn. Getting all of these as soon as possible can provide the child with the best outcome:

  • Chromosomal studies
  • Expert advice
  • Treatment of the physical, emotional, and social concerns

In the past, most hermaphrodites were raised as males because their outside (external) genitals looked more masculine. However, they can grow breasts, and many get their periods (menstruate). After removing the testicles with surgery, some hermaphrodites can become pregnant and deliver normal children.


Complications

Complications can occur if the diagnosis is made late or is not correct.

It is possible for a child who has the outside (external) genitals of one gender to have internal sexual organs of the opposite sex. Sometimes, these internal sexual organs are at risk for cancer and must be surgically removed around the time of puberty.


Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you notice:

  • Abnormal genitals
  • Menstruation does not begin at puberty
  • Pubic hair or breasts do not develop at puberty
  • Unexpected male traits

Review Date: 11/01/2009
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)