FEMALE CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES

MUSINGUZI MARVIN
OUTLINE

1. Introduction

2. Causes of congenital abnormalities

3. Types of congenital abnormalities

4. Complications
INTRODUCTION

Congenital malformations of the female genital tract are defined as deviations from
normal anatomy resulting from embryonic maldevelopment of the Müllerian or
paramesonephric ducts

 An estimated 295 000 newborns die within 28 days of birth every year, worldwide, due

to congenital anomalies.

 Congenital anomalies can contribute to long-term disability, which may have significant

impacts on individuals, families, health-care systems, and societies.

CAUSES OF CONGENITAL DISORDERS
TYPES OF ABNORMALITIES

1. Congenital Malformations of the Vulva

2. Congenital Anomalies of the Hymen

3. Congenital Anomalies of the Vagina

4. Congenital Anomalies of the Cervix

5. Congenital Anomalies of the Uterus

CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE VULVA

Labial Hypoplasia

One or both labia may not develop normally The absence of one or both
labia have no long term medical implications. For women with labial
hypoplasia, sexual function is normal as the clitoris and clitoral hood are
normal.
CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE VULVA

Labial Hypertrophy

One or both labia may grow to larger sizes. Enlargement of the labia can
result in irritation, chronic infections, pain, interference with sexual activity,
and/or interference with activity involving vulvar compression such as
horseback riding.
CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE VULVA
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE HYMEN

Imperforate Hymen

The mother’s estrogen stimulates the production of mucus within the baby’s
vagina.  Due to the blockage, the mucus cannot drain and thus a white bulge
may appear at the location of the normal opening to the vagina.
Alternatively, an imperforate hymen may not be identified until some point in
childhood or at the time of a normal first menstrual period
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE HYMEN

Microperforate Hymen

A microperforate hymen is essentially an imperforate hymen with a very

small hole within it. The hole may be large enough for mucus and/or blood
to come through the hymeneal opening, but instead of having a regular
menstrual period lasting 4-7 days, the woman may have a period which lasts
longer due to the fact that the blood cannot come out at a normal rate.
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE HYMEN

Septate Hymen

A septate hymen refers to a band of extra hymeneal tissue running vertically

in the area of the normal hymen. A hymeneal septum may interfere with a
woman’s ability to insert a tampon or she may find that she can insert the
tampon but once it expands with blood, she cannot remove the tampon.
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE VAGINA

Transverse Vaginal Septum

A transverse vaginal septum is a horizontal “wall” of tissue that has formed during
embryologic development and essentially creates a blockage of the vagina. A transverse
vaginal septum can occur at many different levels of the vagina. A large percentage of
women with a transverse vaginal septum have a small hole or fenestration within the
transverse vaginal septum, so they may have regular menstrual periods, although the
periods may last longer than the normal 4-7 day cycle.
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE VAGINA

Vertical or Complete Vaginal Septum

The vagina normally forms as two tubes meeting in the midline with fusion resulting
in the creation of a single vagina. At times there are fusion abnormalities which
result in a complete vaginal septum which is a wall running vertically up the vagina,
essentially creating two vaginas. Women with a complete vaginal septum also have
duplication of the upper reproductive tract and thus have two uteri and two cervices
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE VAGINA

Vaginal Agenesis

Vaginal agenesis, or absence of the vagina, is a congenital disorder of the female

reproductive tract. It affects approximately 1 in every 5,000 female infants. A
woman with complete vaginal agenesis may have this abnormality based on the
fact that the vagina did not grow during embryologic development and this is
called Mayer-von Rokitansky–Küster-Hauser’s syndrome (RKHS).
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE CERVIX

Cervical Agenesis

Some women have cervical agenesis which means that they are born without
a cervix. In this case, they may or may not have a uterus and they may or
may not have a vagina
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE CERVIX

Cervical Duplication

The reproductive tract forms as two tubes which meet in the midline and are
intended to fuse. There are cases where fusion does not occur and two
cervices can result as with two uteri. This may or may not be associated with
a complete vaginal septum 
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE UTERUS

Uterine Duplication

As noted above, the uterus forms as two tubes and comes to the midline and
forms as one. A woman with two uteri may have one cervix or two cervices as
noted above. A woman with two uteri can have normal reproductive function
but she is at increased risk for premature delivery of a fetus and she is also at
increased risk of breech presentation which may necessitate a cesarean section
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE UTERUS

Unicornuate Uterus

A unicornuate uterus is one half of a uterus that forms with a cervix and is
usually connected to the vagina. This uterus will function normally although
the woman is at risk for premature delivery of a fetus and for breech
presentation which may necessitate a cesarean section
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE UTERUS

Septate Uterus

A uterus may have a normal shape but it may have a wall in the center
dividing it into two cavities. This can be surgically corrected. Women with a
septate uterus are also at risk for premature labor and breech presentation.