Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyCausesIdentificationRisksRemovalSurgeryRecovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Causes
Identification
Risks
Removal
Surgery
Recovery
This article discusses the causes, health risks, and treatment process for a vaginal septum.
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Anatomy of Vaginal Septum
The vagina is the part of the reproductive system that provides a passage for blood and tissue expelled during aperson’s period. It also:
How Common Is a Vaginal Septum?The vaginal septum is a rare occurrence, affecting 0.03% of infants.
How Common Is a Vaginal Septum?
The vaginal septum is a rare occurrence, affecting 0.03% of infants.
How a Vagina Looks and Functions
What Could Cause a Vaginal Septum?
Medical experts have not yet found a cause of a vaginal septum, and it is often referred to as a congenital, or Müllerian, anomaly because it exists at birth and is incredibly rare.No risk factors are associated with a vaginal septum yet.
Structurally, a vaginal septum develops when the vagina forms during fetal development. Ducts, known as Müllerian ducts, fuse during this time to create one canal, the vagina. In the case of a vaginal septum, these ducts do not fuse.
How Do You Know You Have a Vaginal Septum?
Many people with vaginal septums do not realize they have one until they reachpubertyand begin menstruating. Others can go without noticing until they become sexually active. This is because a vaginal septum is only visible when examining the vagina.
Vaginal septums are not the onlyuterineabnormalities that can occur due to the improper development of the Müllerian tract. Others include:
Tampons and Vaginal Septums
How To Use a Tampon
Does Having a Vaginal Septum Pose Any Health Risks?
People with vaginal septums may also find it more difficult to conceive.
Definition of Hematocolpos
Common Conditions That Can Affect the Uterus
When to Consider Vaginal Septum Removal
In many cases, removal of a vaginal septum may not be required. If it doesn’t cause any symptoms or pain, healthcare providers may suggest forgoing surgery.
However, if a person does experience specific issues, such as difficulty inserting tampons, pain during sexual intercourse, or hematocolpos, they may want to explore surgical removal.
Other Causes of Pain During Sexual IntercourseA vaginal septum isn’t the only thing that can cause pain during sexual intercourse. Other possible causes include:Endometriosis(cells like those lining the uterus grow outside the uterus)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)(infection of the reproductive organs)Pelvic congestion syndrome (chronic pelvic pain from varicose veins developing around the ovaries)Fibroids(noncancerous growths in the uterus)Poor vaginal lubricationVaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)Hormonal deficiencies
Other Causes of Pain During Sexual Intercourse
A vaginal septum isn’t the only thing that can cause pain during sexual intercourse. Other possible causes include:Endometriosis(cells like those lining the uterus grow outside the uterus)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)(infection of the reproductive organs)Pelvic congestion syndrome (chronic pelvic pain from varicose veins developing around the ovaries)Fibroids(noncancerous growths in the uterus)Poor vaginal lubricationVaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)Hormonal deficiencies
A vaginal septum isn’t the only thing that can cause pain during sexual intercourse. Other possible causes include:
Vaginal Septum Removal Procedure
The procedure performed to remove a vaginal septum is generally safe. A surgeon will resect the tissue and drain any excess menstrual blood that may have been trapped in the vagina. The primary surgery used is called a vaginal septum resection.
To lower the risk of these complications, thevagina may be dilatedbefore surgery, using a vaginal dilator. This helps prevent the vagina from narrowing after removing the tissue.
Vaginal Septum Removal Recovery
A vaginal septum resection surgery is considered anoutpatient procedure. That means it does not require people to stay at the hospital overnight. After they have recovered from theanestheticgiven during the surgery, they can go home to rest.
There may be some aftereffects, such as light vaginal bleeding and genital soreness. The pain following surgery is often mild enough to be treated with over-the-counter pain medicationsAdvil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen).
People should avoid inserting anything into the vagina until they fully recover from the surgery and are given the go-ahead from their healthcare provider. Rest and recovery should last between two to five days, depending on the person, after which they can return to their normal daily activities.
Possible AftercareSometimes, people may be more at risk of scarring or vaginal stenosis. If that is the case, people may have to undergo vaginal dilation following the procedure. Vaginal dilation stretches the tissue and restores elasticity to the vagina. A vaginal stent (a small mesh tube) may also be placed following surgery to keep the vaginal walls apart and prevent the vaginal canal from narrowing.
Possible Aftercare
Sometimes, people may be more at risk of scarring or vaginal stenosis. If that is the case, people may have to undergo vaginal dilation following the procedure. Vaginal dilation stretches the tissue and restores elasticity to the vagina. A vaginal stent (a small mesh tube) may also be placed following surgery to keep the vaginal walls apart and prevent the vaginal canal from narrowing.
Recovering From Surgery
Summary
A vaginal septum is a wall of tissue that grows inside the vagina, separating it into two parts. It occurs in utero, when the fetus is developing, and is incredibly rare. While people are born with vaginal septums, many are unaware they have one until they reach menstruation or begin having sexual intercourse.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Cancer Society.The vagina.Kamal EM, Lakhdar A, Baidada A.Management of a transverse vaginal septum complicated with hematocolpos in an adolescent girl: Case report.Int J Surg Case Rep.2020;77:748-752. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.11.098Ludwin A, Lindheim SR, Bhagavath B, Martins WP, Ludwin I.Longitudinal vaginal septum: A proposed classification and surgical management.Fertil Steril.2020 Oct;114(4):899-901. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.06.014Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal septum.Chu K, James D, McNamara K, Jongco B, Velcek F.Resection of longitudinal vaginal septum using a surgical stapler.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol.2020 Aug;33(4):435-437. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2020.02.011Children’s Hospital Colorado.Gynecology: Vaginal Septum.Penn Medicine.Müllerian anomalies.Bautista Gómez E, Morales-García V, Flores-Romero AL, Pizarro Osorno N, Velásquez-Valdivia A.Tabique vaginal transverso superior parcial y embarazo [Transverse vaginal septum in the upper part of the vagina and pregnancy].Ginecol Obstet Mex.2012 Jul;80(7):487-90.Jason M, Capelle X, Raquet J, Kridelka F.[Hematocolpos : an unappreciated diagnosis of hymen imperforation].Rev Med Liege. 2017;72(11):478-481.Sorensen J, Bautista KE, Lamvu G, Feranec J.Evaluation and treatment of female sexual pain: A clinical review.Cureus.2018 Mar 27;10(3):e2379. doi:10.7759/cureus.2379Children’s Hospital Colorado Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.Vaginal septum resection.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Cancer Society.The vagina.Kamal EM, Lakhdar A, Baidada A.Management of a transverse vaginal septum complicated with hematocolpos in an adolescent girl: Case report.Int J Surg Case Rep.2020;77:748-752. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.11.098Ludwin A, Lindheim SR, Bhagavath B, Martins WP, Ludwin I.Longitudinal vaginal septum: A proposed classification and surgical management.Fertil Steril.2020 Oct;114(4):899-901. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.06.014Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal septum.Chu K, James D, McNamara K, Jongco B, Velcek F.Resection of longitudinal vaginal septum using a surgical stapler.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol.2020 Aug;33(4):435-437. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2020.02.011Children’s Hospital Colorado.Gynecology: Vaginal Septum.Penn Medicine.Müllerian anomalies.Bautista Gómez E, Morales-García V, Flores-Romero AL, Pizarro Osorno N, Velásquez-Valdivia A.Tabique vaginal transverso superior parcial y embarazo [Transverse vaginal septum in the upper part of the vagina and pregnancy].Ginecol Obstet Mex.2012 Jul;80(7):487-90.Jason M, Capelle X, Raquet J, Kridelka F.[Hematocolpos : an unappreciated diagnosis of hymen imperforation].Rev Med Liege. 2017;72(11):478-481.Sorensen J, Bautista KE, Lamvu G, Feranec J.Evaluation and treatment of female sexual pain: A clinical review.Cureus.2018 Mar 27;10(3):e2379. doi:10.7759/cureus.2379Children’s Hospital Colorado Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.Vaginal septum resection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canadian Cancer Society.The vagina.Kamal EM, Lakhdar A, Baidada A.Management of a transverse vaginal septum complicated with hematocolpos in an adolescent girl: Case report.Int J Surg Case Rep.2020;77:748-752. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.11.098Ludwin A, Lindheim SR, Bhagavath B, Martins WP, Ludwin I.Longitudinal vaginal septum: A proposed classification and surgical management.Fertil Steril.2020 Oct;114(4):899-901. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.06.014Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal septum.Chu K, James D, McNamara K, Jongco B, Velcek F.Resection of longitudinal vaginal septum using a surgical stapler.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol.2020 Aug;33(4):435-437. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2020.02.011Children’s Hospital Colorado.Gynecology: Vaginal Septum.Penn Medicine.Müllerian anomalies.Bautista Gómez E, Morales-García V, Flores-Romero AL, Pizarro Osorno N, Velásquez-Valdivia A.Tabique vaginal transverso superior parcial y embarazo [Transverse vaginal septum in the upper part of the vagina and pregnancy].Ginecol Obstet Mex.2012 Jul;80(7):487-90.Jason M, Capelle X, Raquet J, Kridelka F.[Hematocolpos : an unappreciated diagnosis of hymen imperforation].Rev Med Liege. 2017;72(11):478-481.Sorensen J, Bautista KE, Lamvu G, Feranec J.Evaluation and treatment of female sexual pain: A clinical review.Cureus.2018 Mar 27;10(3):e2379. doi:10.7759/cureus.2379Children’s Hospital Colorado Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.Vaginal septum resection.
Canadian Cancer Society.The vagina.
Kamal EM, Lakhdar A, Baidada A.Management of a transverse vaginal septum complicated with hematocolpos in an adolescent girl: Case report.Int J Surg Case Rep.2020;77:748-752. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.11.098
Ludwin A, Lindheim SR, Bhagavath B, Martins WP, Ludwin I.Longitudinal vaginal septum: A proposed classification and surgical management.Fertil Steril.2020 Oct;114(4):899-901. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.06.014
Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal septum.
Chu K, James D, McNamara K, Jongco B, Velcek F.Resection of longitudinal vaginal septum using a surgical stapler.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol.2020 Aug;33(4):435-437. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2020.02.011
Children’s Hospital Colorado.Gynecology: Vaginal Septum.
Penn Medicine.Müllerian anomalies.
Bautista Gómez E, Morales-García V, Flores-Romero AL, Pizarro Osorno N, Velásquez-Valdivia A.Tabique vaginal transverso superior parcial y embarazo [Transverse vaginal septum in the upper part of the vagina and pregnancy].Ginecol Obstet Mex.2012 Jul;80(7):487-90.
Jason M, Capelle X, Raquet J, Kridelka F.[Hematocolpos : an unappreciated diagnosis of hymen imperforation].Rev Med Liege. 2017;72(11):478-481.
Sorensen J, Bautista KE, Lamvu G, Feranec J.Evaluation and treatment of female sexual pain: A clinical review.Cureus.2018 Mar 27;10(3):e2379. doi:10.7759/cureus.2379
Children’s Hospital Colorado Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.Vaginal septum resection.
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