---
title: "Congenital Vaginal Obstruction"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/congenital-vaginal-obstruction/
description: "Vaginal blockages at birth are rare but must be fixed with surgery. Most female infants are born with a thin layer of issue (hymen) that incompletely..."
---

# Congenital Vaginal Obstruction

Vaginal blockages at birth are rare but must be fixed with surgery. Most female infants are born with a thin layer of issue (hymen) that incompletely covers the vaginal opening.

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

The most common cause of an obstructed vagina is an "imperforate" hymen that is lacking any opening. Less often (1 in 70,000) the vagina can be obstructed from a "septum" or thin layer of tissue inside the vagina. Either of these issues can lead to swelling of the vagina and uterus.

Symptoms depend on the level of obstruction. If the baby is born with imperforate hymen, the retained mucus secretions will cause a white or yellow bulge visible in the genital area. If the obstruction is higher (septum), swelling in the lower abdomen is usually noted.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- Causes
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- After Treatment
- Explore Further

## Other entries in Pediatric and Congenital Urology

- [Ambiguous (Uncertain) Genitalia](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/a_/ambiguous-(uncertain)-genitalia/)
- [Cloacal Abnormalities](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cloacal-abnormalities/)
- [Cloacal Exstrophy](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cloacal-exstrophy/)
- [Cryptorchidism](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cryptorchidism/)
- [Epispadias](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/e/epispadias/)
- [Hypospadias](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/h/hypospadias/)
- [Meatal Stenosis](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/m/meatal-stenosis/)
- [Urinary Tract Infections in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-children/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/c/congenital-vaginal-obstruction/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Pediatric and Congenital Urology**

### This is not medical advice

These pages are archived reference copies of material published on this domain. They are not medical advice, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for talking with a health professional.

### Related topics

- [About OAB](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/its-time-to-talk-about-oab/about-oab/)
- [Overactive Bladder: Patient Guide](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/overactive-bladder/)
- [Urologic Conditions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urologic-conditions/)
- [Educational Materials](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/educational-materials/)

[Back to Urology A-Z: C](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/)

[Back to the full A-Z](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/)