---
title: "Urogenital Sinus Abnormalities"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/u/urogenital-sinus/
description: "As a baby develops, three openings normally form for the intestinal, genital and urinary tracts. In early stages of pregnancy, these three openings are..."
---

# Urogenital Sinus Abnormalities

As a baby develops, three openings normally form for the intestinal, genital and urinary tracts. In early stages of pregnancy, these three openings are together. They then separate from each other to form the anus, vagina and urethra. In rare cases, this area may develop incorrectly with the urethra and vagina still joined together and draining from one hole. When the urethra and vagina are still joined together, this is called a "common channel" or "persistent or chronic urogenital sinus".

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

The severity of the condition depends upon the length of the urogenital sinus or common channel. If the channel is long, urine from the bladder may fill the vagina. A vagina full of fluid (urine) is called "hydrocolpos." Hydrocolpos can be found by a swelling in the lower abdomen or by ultrasound.

A common cause of chronic urogenital sinus is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This occurs when the child's adrenal gland makes too much male hormones which cause "virilization" or the formation of male-looking external genitalia in a female child.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- Diagram of the Female Reproductive System
- Enlarge
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Physical Exam
- Genitogram
- Endoscopy
- Treatment
- After Treatment

## Other entries in Bladder Cancer, Control and Health

- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Uretheral Lesions Boys](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-uretheral-lesions-boys/)
- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Uretheral Lesions Girls](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-uretheral-lesions-girls/)
- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Urethral Lesions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-urethral-lesions/)
- [Bladder Augmentation (Enlargement)](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-augmentation-(enlargement)/)
- [Bladder Cancer](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/n/non-muscle-invasive-bladder-cancer/)
- [Bladder Control Problems in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-control-problems-in-children/)
- [Bladder Diverticulum](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-diverticulum/)
- [Bladder Dysfunction and Urine Control in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-dysfunction-and-urine-control-in-children/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/u/urogenital-sinus/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Bladder Cancer, Control and Health**

### 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/)

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