Labial Adhesions Medication

  • Author: Kenneth G Nepple, MD; Chief Editor: Andrea L Zuckerman, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 18, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The primary treatment of labial adhesions is application of topical estrogen cream directly on the labia minora. Estrogen vaginal cream (conjugated estrogen cream or estradiol vaginal cream 0.01%) can be applied to the adhesions 2-3 times daily for several weeks. Once the adhesions start to separate, the application frequency can be decreased. Adverse systemic effects from estrogen application are rare and include local irritations, vulvar pigmentation, and breast enlargement. These effects are reversible once treatment is stopped.

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Topical estrogens

Class Summary

These agents are indicated for the treatment of atrophic urogenital changes (eg, atrophic vaginitis, kraurosis vulvae, labial adhesions).

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Dienestrol (DV Vaginal Cream, Ortho Dienestrol Vaginal)

 

A synthetic, nonsteroidal estrogen, compounded in a cream base and suitable for intravaginal and topically to the vulvar area.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kenneth G Nepple, MD  Physician, Department of Urology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Kenneth G Nepple, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Christopher S Cooper, MD, FACS, FAAP  Professor and Vice-Chairman of Urology, Director of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital of Iowa; Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Curriculum, University of Iowa, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine

Christopher S Cooper, MD, FACS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, International Children's Continence Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Society for Basic Urologic Research, Society for Fetal Urology, and Society for Pediatric Urology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Madhu Alagiri, MD  Director of Pediatric Urology, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of California at San Diego

Madhu Alagiri, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Elizabeth Alderman, MD  Director of Fellowship Training Program, Director of Adolescent Ambulatory Service, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Children's Hospital at Montefiore

Elizabeth Alderman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Pediatric Society, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and Society for Adolescent Medicine

Disclosure: Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Wayne Wolfram, MD, MPH  Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mercy St Vincent Medical Center

Wayne Wolfram, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP  Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Andrea L Zuckerman, MD  Assistant Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine; Division Director, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center

Andrea L Zuckerman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and Society for Adolescent Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  14. Hoebeke P, Depauw P, Van Laecke E, Oosterlinck W. The use of Emla cream as anaesthetic for minor urological surgery in children. Acta Urol Belg. Dec 1997;65(4):25-8. [Medline].

  15. Leung AK, Robson WL, Kao CP, Liu EK, Fong JH. Treatment of labial fusion with topical estrogen therapy. Clin Pediatr (Phila). Apr 2005;44(3):245-7. [Medline].

  16. Merguerian PA, McLorie, GA. Disorders of the female genitalia. In: Kelalis P, King L, Belman AB. Clinical Pediatric Urology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 1992.

  17. Nurzia MJ, Eickhorst KM, Ankem MK, Barone JG. The surgical treatment of labial adhesions in pre-pubertal girls. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. Feb 2003;16(1):21-3. [Medline].

 
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Typical appearance of labial adhesions
 
 
 
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