Commonly during the first year or two you may notice that the slit-like opening in your daughter’s vagina begins to close. Mention this to your doctor during your baby’s regular checkup. Called labial adhesions , this condition occurs because the sides of the vaginal opening are so close to each other that they begin growing together. This does not cause baby any discomfort or harm. Oftentimes these adhesions open by themselves. But if the adhesions are becoming thicker or obstructing the whole orifice enough to block the flow of urine, your doctor may gently open the adhesion. If they continually grow back, the doctor may prescribe an estrogen cream to be applied around the edges to prevent further adhesion. Around two years of age, as your daughter begins producing her own estrogen in this tissue, the labial adhesion’s will subside.

August 23, 2013