nearly closed labia

[granyginy]

I have a 4 1/2 yr old granddaughter whose opening of her labia continues to almost close... the urologist at our children's hospital has told my daughter to frequently take a Q-tip and break it open... this is very traumatizing  and painful to our little girl - does anyone have any knowledge of this sort of condition and any suggetions..
I think we need a new doctor.
thank you

[kelleymonte]

My daugher just turned 4 and has the same issue...The pediatrician said it was hormonal and she was given a hormone/steroid cream that has to be applied for 2 wks. a couple times a day.  They told me once I did that she would stay open...not so.  I've had to open her back up myself at least 4 times and it is soooo painful for her and myself as well.  I cannot do that anymore.  I cried on the phone to my pediatrician today b/c I thought she was completely open and turns out she closed up again and had to reopen her.  I feel like I am doing something I shouldnt and she already has issues down there.  Its a struggle to get her washed during bath time or to wipe at potty time b/c anything that has to do with her vaginal area she tenses up, closes her legs and gets upset.  I have another appt. with her dr. soon to discuss other options.  Is this going to be an issue all her life?

[Courtcam]

My now 4yr old was born with her labia 99% closed. The opening that was there was maybe about the size of  the tip of a needle. I freaked out. No one would look at it to see what I was talking about. She had gotten sick, then she was about 6wks old, and I had to take her to the hospital. She had gotten dehydrated. The nurse wanted to insert a cathedar. I told her that you will not be able to insert the tube into her vagina. She asked why not. I showed her. She left out and came back in with another nurse. They were both examining my daughters vagina. I asked them why is it closed like that. They looked at me with a blank face and one of them said we will be right back. That made me freak out even more. Head of pediatrics came in with the 2 nurses. He said to me that is was nothing to worry about, that my daughter was not producing enough estrogen and in a few weeks it will start to open. He said it's a clear layer of skin that was over it. Each week it opened more and more. By 3 months of age her labia was completely open. It never sealed back up. Although now her vagina is VERY sensitive. Til this very day, when I wash her she flinches and wines that it hurts. I still have to use Johnson's Baby wash on her because everything else I have tried burns and irritates her vagina.

[tiff78g]

Amazing you should mention this. My dd who is 7 months old has the same issue. The pediatrician has opened it herself, but I have a hard time keeping it open. My doc told me that if  I do not keep it open it will eventually become like skin and she will have to have it surgically opened.  She also told me though that by toddler age it should stop trying to close up so frequently. I know this HAs to be horrible for a 4 yr old. My dd is still a baby, so although she cries a little, it isnt too bad right now.