Patient's question:
My daughter is half a year old. When she had a physical examination at the local maternal and child health hospital, the doctor said my daughter does not have a vaginal opening. I don't know how to further diagnose whether she is a case of virginal agenesis. How should it be diagnosed and treated?Doctor's answer:
Hello: The term "stone girl" often refers to hymenocoele, transverse vaginal septum, congenital absence of the vagina, or vaginal atresia. This congenital defect may not be noticeable at birth, as some individuals may not experience menstruation until puberty, while others may not even be discovered until their wedding night when they cannot engage in sexual intercourse. Some "stone girls" have a transverse septum in the lower part of the vagina. If this septum is imperforated, it can cause symptoms similar to hymenocoele. If there is a small opening, it can also lead to mild lower abdominal pain once a month due to poor menstrual blood flow, which gradually worsens. Sexual intercourse difficulties may also occur after marriage. This transverse septum is often mistaken for hymenocoele. Although the treatment is also surgical incision, the surgical method is slightly more complex than hymenocoele incision. There are also "stone girls" who have never experienced menstruation and cannot engage in sexual intercourse after marriage. In this case, it is necessary to check whether it is "congenital absence of the vagina." Congenital absence of the vagina is often accompanied by the absence of the uterus, hence the lack of menstruation. Only a few individuals may have a uterus, but they may also experience mild lower abdominal pain once a month, gradually worsening due to poor menstrual blood flow. The treatment is to perform a vaginoplasty, after which they can get married. In summary, "stone girls" often exhibit amenorrhea, with some also experiencing mild lower abdominal pain once a month, gradually worsening, and difficulty in sexual intercourse after marriage. The main treatment relies on surgery. If it is discovered before marriage, it can avoid a stormy wedding night, and sexual life issues can be resolved after surgery. If the uterus and fallopian tubes are well-developed, they can still bear children. The ovaries of these individuals are generally normal, so they do not affect the development of secondary sexual characteristics (female characteristics). It is recommended to have a medical examination at the hospital.