Vaginal septa and cysts are relatively common and often cause no problems. Other congenital abnormalities of the vagina are rare.
Vaginal septa
Septum (plural septa) comes from Latin and means ‘a dividing wall or partition’. The structure that’s divided is described as ’septate’. Septa may divide the vagina from top to bottom (longitudinal) or across its diameter (transverse) and may be complete or partial.
Longitudinal septa may be associated with a double or septate uterus and are the result oil incomplete joining of the two sides of the tissue that forms the tubes, uterus and vagina before birth. They usually cause no problems and are often not discovered until the first vaginal examination.
Longitudinal septa are usually thin membranes that stretch easily, so they rarely cause difficulties with sexual intercourse or childbirth. However, if that I is only one cervix and intercourse and ejaculation are separated from the cervix by the septum, subfertility may be a problem that can easily be corrected by removing the septum.
Complete transverse septa have the same effect as imperforate hymen in obstructing menstrual flow, and must be removed. Partial transverse septa generally cause no problems and disappear after the first delivery.
Vaginal cysts
Cysts can form in remnants of the lower Wolffian duct that persist beneath the vaginal lining. The cysts contain clear fluid and are usually soft and small. Though they are rather common, they seldom cause any problems and most women are unaware of their existence. Very rarely a cyst can become large enough to protrude through the introitus, in which case the fluid can be simply drained and refilling is unlikely.
Absent vagina (vaginal atresia)
Atresia comes from the Greek and means ‘without a cavity’. Any body structure that; should be tubular or hollow but is closed disease is described as having atresia or being atretic. The vagina may be partly or wholly absent due to the lower part of the Müllerian duct failing to develop, or may be associated with absent uterus. Girls with this defect usually have normal ovaries so they have had the growth spurt, breast development and all other developments of puberty except menarche. If the vagina is absent or does not join up with the uterus, menstruation will be dammed up. Plastic surgery must be done to create a vagina to connect with the cervix so that menstrual flow can drain. If the uterus, tubes and ovaries are normal, child-bearing is usually possible.
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