How is MRKH syndrome treated?
Treatment is individualized and dependent on your goals. The diagnosis of MRKH can be stressful and challenging, but your doctor will help you each step of the way. If needed, your doctor may recommend counseling or help you connect with a local or national support group.
Your doctor will also discuss options for creating or lengthening the vagina through vaginal dilation. This is a personal decision and should only be started when you are ready for it. Most young women choose to do this in late adolescence or early adulthood.
What is vaginal dilation?
Vaginal dilation stretches the skin of the vaginal area to help create a vagina. There are many different types and sizes of dilators, but most are hard plastic and look like a candlestick. When you are ready for it, your doctor will teach you how to use the dilator and monitor your progress.
In general, we advise starting treatment with vaginal dilation because it is effective, noninvasive, and is not associated with surgical risks.
What do I need to know about surgical treatment for MRKH?
Surgical creation of the vagina, also known as vaginoplasty, requires general anesthesia and is usually maintained with vaginal dilation after surgery. There are several methods to surgically create a vagina, but most require taking tissue or skin from another part of your body.
Does MRKH cause other health complications?
A very small uterus with endometrial lining can cause pain and lead to endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that causes the lining inside the uterus to grow outside of the uterus. If this is a concern, your doctor might recommend hormonal medicine or laparoscopic surgery to further evaluate and treat this condition.
Your doctor can also discuss your options for starting a family and can provide a referral to infertility specialists if you are interested in learning more about in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with a surrogate.
Why choose Children's Colorado for MRKH treatment?
Our board-certified pediatric and adolescent gynecologists have specialized training in the reproductive health concerns of girls of all ages. One of our doctors, Veronica Alaniz, MD, MPH, specializes in taking care of girls, teens and women with congenital anomalies of the reproductive system, like MRKH. She works closely and collaboratively with other teams at Children’s Colorado to provide multidisciplinary care.
We understand that MRKH can be stressful and we are sensitive to the needs of our patients. We always strive to put families and patients at ease by carefully explaining the medical condition and then discussing the various options for treatment. We’ll also support your family with follow-up visits and consultations with our colleagues in other specialties as needed, including psychology, urology, endocrinology, radiology and surgery.