Some are caused by minor irritations or allergies, while others are related to more serious…. Imperforate hymen (Figure 10-7) is a congenital anomaly in which the hymenal membrane has no functional opening and occludes the entrance to the vagina. We're here when you need us with the same safe, high-quality care we've always offered, even during the pandemic. If a health care professional suspects an imperforate hymen, they may order a vaginal or pelvic ultrasound. Learn about our mission and more, or search for opportunities to join our team. In fact, they’re incredibly different. This procedure is called an hymenotomy. Here’s What to Know, How to Sync Your Yoga Practice with the Phases of the Moon, Courtney Sullivan, Certified Yoga Instructor. Causes include acne and cold sores. A septate hymen is when the hymen encircles the vaginal opening and has an additional string of tissue that connects the top and bottom ends of the vagina. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Can Too Much Sleep Cause Depression? "Imperforate" means lacking the normal opening. Simple incision and drainage of an imperforate hymen in a patient with hematocolpos should be avoided because of the increased risk of ascending infection and sepsis 1. In some cases, congenital abnormalities of the hymen can cause health issues that require treatment: 1. A doctor may also spot visual cues of an imperforate hymen when doing a pelvic exam. See a listing of all our Children’s Hospital Colorado locations including inpatient, outpatient, therapy, surgery facilities and more. The doctor will remove excess hymeneal tissue and place dissolvable stitches to avoid the formation of scar tissue and re-blockage of the hymeneal opening. To help inform you about the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) updates, experts from Children's Colorado have gathered information from local and national health authorities. In the case of a completely imperforate hymen, this membrane does not have an opening, so it blocks the vaginal canal. Children’s Hospital Colorado providers are faculty members of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Your daughter may complain of pain or trouble inserting and removing tampons. If not detected early and treated, an imperforate hymen can lead to vaginal infection, kidney issues, and fertility-reducing endometriosis. Painful urination or no urination at all. Nobody knows why it occurs. Pelvic imaging, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can help doctors decide on the correct surgical approach. Generally, the doctor will not perform surgery until after puberty has started. Other symptoms of an imperforate hymen include: Some women may also have a painful abdominal mass. All children should have a chance for a healthy future. Most commonly this is an isolated finding with an incidence that ranges from 0.014% to 0.1% in term births. Estrogen makes the tissue pliable and relaxed, which helps it heal easily without scar tissue or closure in the vaginal opening. Imperforate hymens diagnosed in girls younger than 10 years are often found by chance. Imperforate hymens can vary in the amount of obstruction. There is no specific test that is done to evaluate this condition. An imperforate hymen is caused by failure of the hymen to perforate (open) during a baby's growth and development inside her mother's uterus. Menstrual blood is usually able to flow out of the vagina, but the opening is very small. A septate hymen makes it look like there are two vaginal openings, but there is only one that is partially obstructed down the middle. Doctors at Children's Colorado understand that topics involving female reproductive organs can be stressful to address, which is why we're extra sensitive to the mental and emotional needs of our patients and their families. This symptom is usually not associated with other abnormalities of the vagina, uterus and ovaries. Imperforate hymen is something a girl is born with. recommendation for vaccinating adolescents ages 12 to 15, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Updates, Friday Night Lights: Shining Light on Mental Health, Learn more about the Gynecology department, Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement. Learn about the healing…. Because pediatricians, gynecologists, and pediatric urologists encounter this diagnosis in their practice, a multi-disciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment is optimal for the patient. The diagnosis can be made during a physical examination, … The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Endometriosis is a condition in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Surgical Technique for Imperforate Hymen and Microperforate Hymen. The timing of surgery is based on symptoms. Less invasive treatments for an imperforate hymen include the use of CO2 lasers or a Foley catheter 58). The vagina will function normally and your teenager will be able to comfortably have periods and use tampons if desired. This type of cut allows for proper drainage of backed-up menstrual blood and the subsequent relief of symptoms. An ultrasound can help confirm the diagnosis. Imperforate hymen is a congenital condition in which the hymen lacks a normal opening. Approach Considerations Medical therapy has no role in the management of imperforate hymen, because the retained secretions are typically sterile. Learn how we're addressing community health needs, We're a nonprofit that is supported by donors. Signs in a newborn: A complete imperforate hymen may be detected in a newborn. The imperforate hymen may present in the neonatal period as a hydrocolpos or mucocolpos. Imperforate hymen is a disorder of the female genital tract in which the hymen does not open during embryonic period and causes vaginal outflow obstruction of secretions and blood. Girls who are diagnosed with imperforate hymen as babies most often have surgery when they are older and have just started puberty. Our board-certified pediatric and adolescent gynecologists have specialized training in the reproductive health concerns of girls of all ages. Approximately 1 in 1,000 girls are born with what’s called an imperforate hymen. Imperforate hymen is the most common type of blockage of the vagina. A thin membrane called the hymen normally surrounds the opening of the vagina with a small, circular opening in the center. All rights reserved. Align your body and mind with the natural rhythms of the universe by practicing with the moon phases. In a retrospective study of the long term results of surgical correction of imperforate hymen, nine of 15 patients had an irregular menstrual cycle and six of 15 patients had dysmenorrhea (painful periods) (over a follow-up of 8.5 years). Imperforate Hymen. Caring pediatric nurses are available 24/7 to help answer your health questions. After carefully reviewing the history and symptoms, the doctor will perform a gentle and careful physical exam. For example, a doctor may notice a bulging hymen while performing a gynecological exam. The treatment for an imperforate hymen is minor surgery to remove the extra hymenal tissue, creating a normal-sized vaginal opening so menstrual blood can flow out. Most females are born with a hymen. It is most often diagnosed in adolescent girls when menstrual blood accumulates in the vagina and sometimes also in the uterus. Children's Hospital Colorado partners with NRC Health to gather star ratings and reviews from patients, residents and family survey data. It may also cause other signs and symptoms such as: A partially imperforate hymen does not block menstrual flow. Learn more about patient ratings and reviews. Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes . This creates problems for the girl since menstrual blood is unable to flow out of the vagina, leading to a … The standard treatment is to surgically cut away part of the hymen using a scalpel or laser. It generally affects 1 to 2% of all girls. An Antibiotics may be ordered to reduce the risk of an infection. Treatment A minor surgery can fix an imperforate hymen. A doctor at Children's Hospital Colorado will talk to you and your daughter about her health history and symptoms. The doctor will remove excess hymeneal tissue and place dissolvable stitches to avoid the formation of scar tissue and re-blockage of the hymeneal opening. In this case, surgery to produce an opening to the hymen may be recommended, but some parents prefer to wait until their daughters are older. An imperforate hymen is treated with surgery to remove the excess hymeneal tissue. Treatment & Care In most cases, as for imperforate hymen and microperforate hymen , minor surgery is performed to remove the extra band of tissue and create a single, normal-sized vaginal opening. Surgery does not interfere with the ability to have children in the future. Septate hymens affect about 1 in every 1,000 girls. Surgical treatment focuses on the prevention of recurrence of the imperforate hymen. When you give to Children's Colorado, you're helping us to reimagine children's health through patient care, education, research and advocacy.