Labial Adhesions - 9 Month Old

My 3-year old step-daughter still has labial adhesions. We've been trying to convince her mom that she needs to see a pediatric urologist, as our pediatrician suggested. (We were referred to the urologist last year, but her mom wouldn't let us have her during the week to take her to the appointment...) She took her for the 3-year checkup, and her pediatrician (in spartanburg vs ours in columbia) put her on estrogen cream. We had tried that before, but we aren't sure if her mom actually used it since she never sent it to us on the weekends. I think that when she was an infant, they did try the premarin, but it didn't work for her. We're still struggling with how to treat it effectively. Her mom has decided that "maybe she does need to see a urologist", and is trying to find another pediatrician to refer her. (Why she can't just take her to the doctor here, I don't understand...) Anyway, enough of my ranting. I've read some stuff online that said that the labial adhesions can last until 8/9 years old, and that you just have to put some sort of cream on it to keep it open. I'm not really sure... I'd love to hear how things work out for your daughter. Good luck!

My daughter had them as well -- we were fortunate enough to not have to use any medication -- but they went away by her 18 month checkup. I understand that its pretty common and nothing to be too concerned about. Hopefully the hormone will help her to feel better and they'll go away soon.

Hello E.,
My daughter had the same thing. It lasted until she was from the age or 3 to 4 years old. My Pediatician ended up manually tearing it open. Yes, it was painful for her for the first 2-3 days(mainly when urinating). After him opening it I had to apply bacitracin 2-3 times a day to it until it was not tying to adhese itself anymore. She is now 4 and has no poblems. I would have him do it now while she is young and just keep up with the creme until it is able to stay open on its own. It is true that the reason it closes is because their bodies don't create that natural moistness to keep it open. Take care of it now, my friends daughter had the same thing also and she never took care of it and ended up in the operating room getting it lanced open and sutures placed in to help it heal. This does sound harsh about opening it manually but she is so young she will not remember it. Good Luck and keep up posted on what happens:-)
P.S. If you peditrician will not do what you want done try going to a Urologist. They know that part of the body best. Also, not taking care of it now will lead to further problems in the future. Also, I would not do the Premarin. Why give her extra hormones that are not needed at this point in her life? This can be taken care of without medication.

My daughter had labial adhesion from infancy until she was around 4 years old. She was torn twice, which was very painful for her. She couldn't move without screaming and had to be given medication for the pain. Upon the advise of a new pediatrician (we changed after the 2nd painful tear), I took my daughter to a Pediatric GYN who did perscribe a hormone cream. He said if she continued to have problems surgery could be performed when she was older at which time it would be less likely to regress. He also said that it should correct itself by puberty. He was right! It did cleared up with the cream. No surgery was necessary. She is now 21 and hasn't had a problem in years. Good Luck!

I am a pediatric nurse and used to work in peds office. We would recommend maually opening the adhesion. It is better than giving extra hormones to a little one. It might hurt some but the majority of the little girls I have seen havent really cried or seemed to be bothered by it.

hi E., my ped told me that my daughter needed premarin because of adhesions but when i used it it made my daughter get sores all over down there, i stopped immediately! i started using hydrocortisone and it cleared it up in a matter of a day. i had another ped tell me that little girls are sometimes born with that and they will grow out of it. as long as your daughter is still having wet diapers, i wouldn't be so worried.
T.

Ihis is very common and I believe the hormone is applied topically...it was for us. My daughter had this as well. It is best to go ahead with the treatment because this can lead to bladder and kidney infections. After several days of the topical treatment they took a Q tip kind of thing and just gently worked it apart. She has been fine ever since and is now 8 years old. Hope this helps.

Forgive me if some of the details are wrong, this was quite a few years ago.