Labial adhesions, or fused labia minora, typically affect prepubertal girls (with a peak incidence at age 2-3) due to low estrogen production.

Other contributing factors may include chronic inflammation due to poor hygiene, infection (eg, vaginitis), skin irritation (eg, diaper dermatitis), and trauma (eg, straddle injury, sexual abuse).

Labial adhesions can be partial (involving only a small portion of the labia) or complete (with a small orifice for urine to come out)

Partial adhesion are often asymptomatic; however, some children develop pain or pruritus associated with vaginal pulling, which can lead to secondary excoriations and exacerbate adhesion development.

Adhesions covering the urethral meatus can also cause an abnormal urinary stream and an increased risk for recurrent urinary tract infections.

Mild, asymptomatic labial adhesions require no treatment because up to 80% of labial adhesions resolve spontaneously.  However, in patients with complete adhesions or symptomatic partial adhesions (such as this patient), first-line therapy is with topical estrogen cream.

patients with repeated yeast infections are more prone to labial adhesions

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Partial adhesions

Partial adhesions