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Labia is the medical term for the lips of the female genitalia. There are 2 outer lips (the labia majora) and 2 inner lips (the labia minora). The labia are designed to cover and protect other structures including the vagina and the urethra (where urine comes out of the body).
In girls before puberty the labia are small and not developed.
Labial adhesions means that the labia are stuck together.
This usually refers to the labia minora (the inner lips) and is also known as labial fusion.
Labial adhesions can vary from mild (only a small area is stuck) to more severe (a larger area is stuck).
Primary labial adhesions happen in girls before puberty, commonly aged 3 months to 8 years of age. This is thought to be because of a low level of oestrogen (the main female hormone).
Secondary labial adhesions are much less common in children, and usually happens because of ongoing scarring or inflammation. This could be associated with skin conditions such as lichen sclerosis or dermatitis. Your doctor will discuss this with you if it applies to your child.
Other disorders also need to be ruled out. These include:
Primary labial adhesions in girls usually do not cause any symptoms. They are often found during an examination for another reason.
Occasionally girls have symptoms such as:
Primary labial adhesions are usually mild and do not cause any problems. They therefore do not require treatment, and will usually resolve at the time of puberty.
If the adhesions are more significant or if they are causing problems, then there are treatment options available. They are:
For more information, please this NHS page and video about labial fusion.
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Resource number: SFG18
Resource Type: Article
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