312 lines
No EOL
39 KiB
HTML
312 lines
No EOL
39 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" id="article" class="nojs us" data-root="//medlineplus.gov" itemid="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001497.htm" itemtype="http://schema.org/MedicalWebPage" itemscope="">
|
||
<head>
|
||
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"/>
|
||
<meta http-equiv="window-target" content="_top"/>
|
||
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/>
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
|
||
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="1042245625821448"/>
|
||
<meta name="expires" content="Fri, 14 03 2025"/>
|
||
<meta name="ac-dictionary" content="medlineplus-ac-dictionary"/>
|
||
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"/>
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="//medlineplus.gov/images/touch-icon.png"/>
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/>
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/common_new.css?04272023"/>
|
||
<!--[if IE 8]> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ie8/common.css"><![endif]-->
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/css/uswds_styles.css"/>
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ency/ency2.css?07162024"/>
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">document.querySelector("html").className = document.querySelector("html").className.replace(/nojs[\s]*/g, '');</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds-init.min.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMVM77');</script>
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001497.htm" itemprop="url"/>
|
||
<link rel="alternative" hreflang="es" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001497.htm"/>
|
||
<link rel="alternative" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001497.htm"/><meta property="og:title" content="Developmental differences of the female genital tract: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001497.htm"/><meta property="twitter:title" content="Developmental differences of the female genital tract: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="description" content="Developmental differences of the female reproductive tract affect the reproductive organs of a female infant. They occur while the baby is growing in the mother's womb."/><meta itemprop="description" name="description" content="Developmental differences of the female reproductive tract affect the reproductive organs of a female infant. They occur while the baby is growing in the mother's womb."/><meta property="og:description" content="Developmental differences of the female reproductive tract affect the reproductive organs of a female infant. They occur while the baby is growing in the mother's womb."/><meta property="twitter:description" content="Developmental differences of the female reproductive tract affect the reproductive organs of a female infant. They occur while the baby is growing in the mother's womb."/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_1.jpg"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_2.jpg"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_3.jpg"/><meta property="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/share_ency_1.jpg"/>
|
||
<title>Developmental differences of the female genital tract: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia</title>
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body><link href="http://schema.org/Patient" itemprop="audience"/>
|
||
<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
|
||
<noscript><iframe title="googletagmanager" src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMVM77" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden">
|
||
</iframe>
|
||
</noscript>
|
||
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->
|
||
|
||
<a name="top" id="top">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a class="hide-offscreen" href="#start">Skip navigation</a>
|
||
|
||
<section class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official website of the United States government">
|
||
<div class="usa-accordion">
|
||
<header class="usa-banner__header">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
|
||
<div class="grid-col-auto">
|
||
<img aria-hidden="true" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png" alt=""/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
|
||
An official website of the United States government
|
||
</p>
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default">
|
||
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
|
||
</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default-default">
|
||
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br/>A
|
||
<strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government
|
||
organization in the United States.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br/>A
|
||
<strong>lock</strong> (
|
||
<span class="icon-lock"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false">
|
||
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
|
||
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
|
||
<path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z">
|
||
</path>
|
||
</svg> </span>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to
|
||
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
|
||
secure websites.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-wrap">
|
||
<header>
|
||
<div id="mplus-header">
|
||
|
||
<!-- Orgs
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-orgs">
|
||
<a title="National Institutes of Health" target="_blank" class="nih-org" href="//www.nih.gov/">
|
||
<img alt="National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nihlogo.png" class="nihlogo"/>
|
||
</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/"> National Library of Medicine </a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- Logo
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-logo" class="years-25">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_25.png" title="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" alt="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You"/>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- Nav Menu
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav">
|
||
<div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">The navigation menu has been collapsed.</div>
|
||
<!-- Menu Button-->
|
||
<button type="submit" aria-controls="mplus-menu-list" role="button" title="Menu" class="navmenu-btn" id="sm-menu-btn" aria-pressed="false" tabindex="0">Menu<span class="icon icon-nav-menu">
|
||
</span></button><ul class="nav-list" id="mplus-menu-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
</ul><button type="submit" aria-controls="mplus-search" role="button" title="Search" class="navmenu-btn" id="sm-search-btn" aria-pressed="false" tabindex="0"><span class="hide-offscreen">Show </span>Search<span class="icon icon-nav-search">
|
||
</span></button>
|
||
<div class="top-1">
|
||
<!-- Search
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<form target="_self" title="Search MedlinePlus" action="//vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta" method="get" id="mplus-search">
|
||
<input type="hidden" value="medlineplus" name="v:project"/>
|
||
<input type="hidden" value="medlineplus-bundle" name="v:sources"/>
|
||
<div class="form-box text-combo">
|
||
<div class="form-area"><label for="searchtext_primary" class="hide-offscreen">Search MedlinePlus</label>
|
||
<span role="status" aria-live="polite" class="ui-helper-hidden-accessible">
|
||
</span><input type="text" aria-haspopup="true" aria-autocomplete="list" role="textbox" autocomplete="off" name="query" size="40" maxlength="400" title="Site Search input" alt="Site Search input" placeholder="Search MedlinePlus" class="form-text ui-autocomplete-input" id="searchtext_primary"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="button-area">
|
||
<button type="submit" alt="Search MedlinePlus" title="Search MedlinePlus" class="form-btn">GO</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
<!-- Secondary Nav
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div class="secondarynav">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/"><span>About MedlinePlus</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/"><span>What's New</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html"><span>Site Map</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=//medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001497.htm"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- Nav Bar
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav-bar">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<a title="Español" id="mplus-lang-toggle" href="../../spanish/ency/article/001497.htm">Español</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<!-- Content
|
||
================================================== -->
|
||
<div id="mplus-content">
|
||
<!-- Breadrcumbs -->
|
||
<div id="breadcrumbs"><div itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList" itemscope="" itemprop="breadcrumb"><span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span>
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="1"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Encyclopedia</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="2"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div><div><span>Developmental differences of the female genital tract</span></div></div>
|
||
<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001497.htm
|
||
</span>
|
||
<!-- Article -->
|
||
<article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start">
|
||
</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Developmental differences of the female genital tract</h1>
|
||
</div><div class="page-actions">
|
||
</div>
|
||
<noscript>
|
||
<span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span>
|
||
</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Developmental differences of the female reproductive tract affect the reproductive organs of a female infant. They occur while the baby is growing in the mother's womb.</p><p>Female reproductive organs include the <a test="test" href="./002342.htm">vagina</a>, ovaries, uterus, and <a test="test" href="./002317.htm">cervix</a>.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>A baby starts to develop its reproductive organs between weeks 4 and 5 of pregnancy. This continues until the 20th week of pregnancy.</p><p>This development is a complex process. Many things can affect this process. The severity of the differences depends on when the interruption occurred. In general, if the problems occur earlier in the womb, the effect will be more widespread. Problems in the development of female reproductive organs may be caused by:</p><ul><li>Missing or damaged genes (genetic variance)</li><li>Exposure to certain medicines during pregnancy </li></ul><p>Some babies may have a variant in their genes that prevents their body from producing an <a test="test" href="./002353.htm">enzyme</a> called 21-hydroxylase. The <a test="test" href="./002219.htm">adrenal gland</a> needs this enzyme to make hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone. This condition is called <a test="test" href="./000411.htm">congenital adrenal hyperplasia</a>. If a developing female infant lacks this enzyme, the infant will be born with a uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. However, the external genitals will have a more male-like appearance. Some babies with this syndrome have difficulties with the concentration of salts in their urine. It is very important that this issue be diagnosed early.</p><p>Certain medicines that the mother takes can pass into the bloodstream of the baby and interfere with organ development. One medicine known to do this is diethylstilbestrol (DES). Health care providers once prescribed this medicine to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage and early labor. However, scientists learned that female infants born to women who took this medicine had an abnormally shaped uterus. The medicine also increased the daughters' chances of developing a rare form of vaginal cancer.</p><p>In some cases, a developmental disorder can be seen as soon as the baby is born. It may cause life-threatening conditions in the newborn. Other times, the condition is not diagnosed until the person is older.</p><p>The reproductive tract develops close to the urinary tract and kidneys. It also develops at the same time as several other organs. As a result, developmental problems in the female reproductive tract sometimes occur with problems in other areas. These areas may include the urinary tract, kidneys, intestine, and lower spine.</p><p>Developmental differences of the female reproductive tract include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./001669.htm">Differences of sex development</a> (DSD)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003269.htm">Ambiguous genitalia</a></li></ul><p>Other developmental differences of the female reproductive tract include:</p><p><strong>
|
||
Cloacal abnormalities</strong> - The cloaca is a tube-like structure in an unborn baby. In the early stages of development, the urinary tract, rectum, and vagina all empty into this single tube. Later, the 3 areas separate and have their own openings. If the cloaca persists as a female infant grows in the womb, all the openings do not form and separate. For example, a baby may be born with only one opening on the bottom of the body near the rectal area. Urine and feces may have difficulty leaving the body. This can cause stomach swelling. Some cloacal abnormalities may cause a female infant to look like they have a penis. These birth defects are rare.</p><p><strong>Problems with external genitals </strong>-<strong> </strong>Developmental problems may lead to a swollen clitoris or fused labia. Fused labia is a condition where the folds of tissue around the opening of the vagina are joined together. Most other problems of the outer genitals are related to DSD and ambiguous genitalia.</p><p><strong>Imperforate hymen </strong>- The hymen is a thin tissue that partly covers the opening to the vagina. An imperforate hymen completely blocks the vaginal opening. This often leads to painful swelling of the vagina. Sometimes, the hymen has only a very small opening or tiny, small holes. This problem may not be discovered until puberty. Some female infants are born without a hymen. This is considered to be a normal variation in development.</p><p><strong>Ovarian problems </strong>-<strong> </strong>A female infant may have an extra ovary, extra tissue attached to an ovary, or structures called ovotestes that have both male and female tissue.</p><p><strong>Uterus and cervix problems </strong>-<strong> </strong>A female infant may be born with an extra cervix and uterus, a half-formed uterus, or a blockage of the uterus. Usually, females born with a half-formed uterus and vagina are missing the kidney on the same side of the body. More commonly, the uterus can form with a central "wall" or septum in the upper portion of the uterus. A variant of this defect occurs when the infant is born with a single cervix but two uteri. The upper uteri sometimes do not communicate with the cervix. This leads to swelling and pain. All uterine abnormalities can lead to fertility issues.</p><p><strong>Vaginal problems</strong> -<strong> </strong>A female infant may be born without a vagina or have the vaginal opening blocked by a layer of cells that are higher up in the vagina than where the hymen is. A missing vagina is most often due to Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. In this syndrome, the infant is missing part or all of the internal reproductive organs (uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes). Other abnormalities include having 2 vaginas or a vagina that opens into the urinary tract. Some females may have a heart-shaped uterus or a uterus with a wall in the middle of the cavity.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms vary according to the specific problem. They may include:</p><ul><li>Breasts that do not grow</li><li>Inability to empty the bladder</li><li>Lump in the pelvic area, usually due to blood or mucus that cannot flow out of the uterus</li><li>Menstrual flow that occurs despite using a tampon (a sign of a second vagina)</li><li>Monthly cramping or pain, without menstruation</li><li>No menstruation (<a test="test" href="./001218.htm">amenorrhea</a>)</li><li>Pain with sex</li><li>Repeated <a test="test" href="./001488.htm">miscarriages</a> or preterm births (may be due to an abnormal uterus)</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>The provider may notice signs of a developmental difference right away. Such signs may include:</p><ul><li>Abnormal vagina</li><li>Abnormal or missing cervix</li><li>Bladder on the outside of the body</li><li>Genitals that aren't clearly male or female (ambiguous genitalia)</li><li>Labia that are stuck together or unusual in size</li><li>No openings in the genital area or a single rectal opening</li><li>Swollen clitoris </li></ul><p>The belly area may be swollen or a lump in the groin or abdomen may be felt. The provider may notice the uterus does not feel normal.</p><p>Tests may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./002360.htm">Endoscopy</a> of the abdomen</li><li>Chromosome testing or other forms of genetic testing</li><li>Hormone levels, especially testosterone and cortisol</li><li><a test="test" href="./003777.htm">Ultrasound</a> or <a test="test" href="./003335.htm">MRI</a> of the pelvic area</li><li>Urine and serum <a test="test" href="./002350.htm">electrolytes</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Providers often suggest surgery for people with developmental differences of the internal reproductive organs. For example, a blocked vagina can most often be corrected with surgery.</p><p>If the female is missing a vagina, the provider may prescribe a dilator when the person reaches young adulthood. A dilator is a device that helps stretch or widen the area where the vagina is supposed to be. This process takes 4 to 6 months. Surgery may also be done to create a new vagina. Surgery should be done when the person is able to use a dilator to keep the new vagina open.</p><p>Good results have been reported with both surgical and nonsurgical methods.</p><p>Treatment of cloacal abnormalities usually involves multiple complex surgeries. These surgeries fix problems with the rectum, vagina, and urinary tract.</p><p>If the birth defect could cause fatal complications, the first surgery is done shortly after birth. Surgeries for other developmental reproductive differences may also be done while the baby is an infant. Some surgeries may be delayed until the child is much older.</p><p>Depending on the cause, surgery, hormone replacement, or other treatments are used to treat conditions that can cause ambiguous genitalia.</p><p>There have been significant changes in treating ambiguous genitalia. In the past, it was thought that it was best to assign a sex as quickly as possible. This was often based on the external genitals rather than the chromosomes. Expert opinion has shifted to understanding that chromosomal, neural, hormonal, psychological, and behavioral factors can all have an influence on an individual.</p><p>Many experts now urge delaying definitive surgery unless it is needed for the health of the infant, and ideally involving the child in the decision. Working with your child’s health care team can help you make the best choices for your child. In addition, a support group can help provide families with the latest research and offer a community of other families, children, and adult individuals who are dealing with the same issues.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Support Groups</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>More information and support for people with developmental disorders of the female genital tract and their families can be found at:</p><ul><li>DES Action USA -- <a class="extln" target="_blank" href="https://www.desaction.org">www.desaction.org</a></li><li>InterAct -- <a class="extln" target="_blank" href="https://interactadvocates.org">interactadvocates.org</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Cloacal abnormalities can cause fatal complications at birth.</p><p>Potential complications may develop if the diagnosis is made late or is wrong. Children with ambiguous genitalia who have internal organs related to the sex opposite from which they were raised may experience severe psychological distress.</p><p>Undiagnosed problems in a female's reproductive tract can lead to infertility and sexual difficulties.</p><p>Other complications that occur later in life include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./000915.htm">Endometriosis</a></li><li>
|
||
Going into labor too early (preterm delivery)
|
||
</li><li>
|
||
Painful abdominal lumps requiring surgery
|
||
</li><li>
|
||
Repeated miscarriages
|
||
</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if your child has:</p><ul><li>Genitals that do not look either male or female or have features of both</li><li>Male traits</li><li>Monthly pelvic pain and cramping, but does not menstruate</li><li>Not started menstruation by age 16</li><li>No breast development at puberty</li><li>No pubic hair at puberty</li><li>Unusual lumps in the abdomen or groin </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Pregnant women should not take any substances that contain male hormones. They should check with their provider before taking any type of medicine or supplements.</p><p>Even if the mother makes every effort to ensure a healthy pregnancy, development problems in a baby may still occur.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Congenital defect - vagina, ovaries, uterus, and cervix; Birth defect - vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix; Developmental disorder of female reproductive tract</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div name="Images" class="section-body" id="section-tnails"><ul class="img-grid group">
|
||
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/17052t.jpg" alt="Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva" title="Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/17052.htm">Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva</a></li>
|
||
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/24346t.jpg" alt="Congenital uterine anomalies" title="Congenital uterine anomalies" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19926.htm">Congenital uterine anomalies</a></li>
|
||
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Hollenbach LL, Pelosi E, Margetts M, Vash-Margita A. Vulvovaginal and Müllerian anomalies. In: Kliegman RM, St. Gene JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. <em>Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. </em>22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 591.</p><p>Kaefer M. Management of abnormalities of the genitalia in girls. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. <em>Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology.</em> 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 47.</p><p>Yu RN, Diamond DA. Disorders of sexual development: etiology, evaluation, and medical management. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. <em>Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology.</em> 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 48.</p></div></div></section>
|
||
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 8/6/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 02/05/2025.</p>
|
||
</div></div></section><section><div class="section ency-citation"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title ency-citation"><div id="citation-how-to"><button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button></div></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Related MedlinePlus Health Topics</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-mtp" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
|
||
</span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite">
|
||
</div></div><div name="Related MedlinePlus Health Topics" class="section-body" id="section-mtp"><ul class="side-nav"><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/birthdefects.html">Birth Defects</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul></div></div></section></div></div></article>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<footer>
|
||
|
||
<div class="provider-box group">
|
||
<div class="urac-logo">
|
||
<a href="https://accreditnet.urac.org/directory/#/certification/HCP-2/info"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/CertifiedSeal.png"/></a>
|
||
<p class="urac-logo-info">Health Content Provider<br>06/01/2025</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<p class="adam-info">
|
||
<a href='javascript:urac_open();'>A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC</a>, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's <a href='javascript:hwsopen();'>accreditation program</a> is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s <a href='javascript:edpolopen();'>editorial policy, editorial process</a>, and <a href='javascript:ppopen();'>privacy policy</a>. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: <a href='javascript:honc_open();'>verify here</a>.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<p class="adam-info">
|
||
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only – they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997-2025 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
|
||
</p>
|
||
<div class="adam-logo">
|
||
<a href="https://www.adam.com/about" target="_blank"><img width="49" height="10" alt="About A.D.A.M." src="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/ftrAdamlogo.gif"/></a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="mplus-footer">
|
||
<div class="footer1">
|
||
<ul class="secondarynav">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li>
|
||
<li><a name="contact" target="_blank" href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from="><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<ul class="follow-footer">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a></li>
|
||
<li><span class="follow-label">Follow us</span>
|
||
<a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X"></a>
|
||
<a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook"></a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank"><img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="footer2">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target="_blank">NLM Web Policies</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="//medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="//medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<div class="address">
|
||
<a href="//www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
<span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span>
|
||
<a href="//www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>
|
||
<a href="//www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div><!-- End Wrap -->
|
||
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 9]>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<![endif]-->
|
||
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/ency/ency.js" type="text/javascript">
|
||
</script>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html> |