Signs and symptoms

The join in the labia is down the middle where you can see a thin, light streak. It is almost never present at birth, but more commonly develops between about one to two years of age.

Causes

Doctors are not sure what causes some girls to have labial fusion. It seems it may sometimes happen after an inflammation of the labial area. This may have been caused by a simple infection such as vulvovaginitis.

Treatment

The join (or fusion) usually separates naturally by the time your daughter has her first period. This happens slowly. There is no pain and she will not notice it happening. Medical treatment, massage or cream is not usually needed.

Medical treatment to pull apart the labia is not recommended, as there is a high risk that the adhesion or fusion will return. The procedure can be painful and your daughter might grow up worrying that there is something wrong with her. Leaving it alone is the safest and most effective treatment.

What to expect

Very occasionally a girl may get a urinary tract infection (UTI). This is not common and can usually be treated simply and effectively. If there is even a very small opening (one millimetre or more) there is enough space for the urine (wee) to drain.

There is no relationship at all between labial fusion and any other medical conditions. Labial fusion does not have any effect on future fertility. As an adult, your daughter will be able to have sex and be able to have children the same as other women.

Follow-up

Your local GP or family doctor can normally diagnose this condition. There is no need to see a specialist. As long as the fusion is not causing a problem it can be left alone until it disappears. 

Key points to remember

• Labial fusion is common.
• It does not usually cause any other symptoms.
• It is not related to other problems.
• The fusion will normally separate naturally by the time your daughter has her first period.
• The safest, most effective and least stressful thing to do is no treatment.