Postpartum Labial Adhesion Presenting with Apareunia: A Case Report

Abstract

Labial adhesion is commonly seen in the paediatric and post-menopausal age groups and treatment of this condition with oestrogen cream is effective. On the other hand, postpartum labial adhesion is an unusual complication of vaginal birth except when it associated with trauma to the perineum. In that situation, treatment with oestrogen cream is usually in-effective.

A 19-year-old primipara presented 15 months after vaginal birth with difficulty in having sexual intercourse. She had sustained a perineal tear during her last childbirth at home. Pelvic examination revealed fusion of the medial aspect of the labia minora with a membrane inferior to the external urethral opening completely closing the vaginal orifice. A surgical division under anaesthesia was carried out and she resumed sexual intercourse within five days.

Postpartum labial adhesion is an uncommon complication of vaginal births and surgical division of labial adhesions is the first line of management. Good postpartum perineal care for perineal laceration following vaginal births should be encouraged to prevent apareunia.