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Congenital Vaginal & Cervical Atresia
Atresia of the vagina and uterus results from incomplete canalization of their lumens.
Vaginal atresia blocks the vaginal canal; in our diagram, obstruction is complete, but the degree of atresia varies. In some people, dilators can be used to non-surgically correct the atresia; in others, vaginoplastic surgery is needed to open the vaginal canal.
Cervical atresia blocks communication between the uterus and vagina.
While vaginal atresia may be noticed during neo-natal examination, cervical atresia often goes undiagnosed until puberty, when amenorrhea (absence of menstrual flow) and abdominal pain signify disorder. Menstrual fluid can become trapped in the uterus and/or upper vagina, depending on the location of obstruction.
Because the two often occur together, findings of vaginal atresia warrant inspection of the cervix via ultrasound.