A vaginal septum is an anomaly in which a growth of tissue separates the vaginal canal into two parts. It occurs during fetal development and is driven by an incomplete formation of the female reproductive system. While it exists at birth, many people do not realize they have a vaginal septum until they begin menstruating or become sexually active. That is because it is only visible during a vaginal exam. The vaginal septum is a rare occurrence, affecting 0.03% of infants.
Anatomy of Vaginal Septum
The vagina is the part of the reproductive system that provides a passage for blood and tissue expelled during a period. It also:
- Acts as a passage for childbirth,
- Allows entry for the penis during sexual intercourse,
- Holds sperm until it can pass into the uterus.
When the vagina does not develop properly in utero, a vaginal septum may result. Two main types of vaginal septum can occur: longitudinal (LVS) and transverse (TVS). The names given to each type describe how the tissue grows within the vagina.
LVS occurs when the tissue is vertical within the vagina, creating two vaginal canals or cavities separated by the septum wall. TVS occurs horizontally within the vagina. The tissue can partially or fully block the vagina from the rest of the reproductive system.
What Could Cause a Vaginal Septum?
Allopathic and Homeopathic medical experts have not yet found a cause of a vaginal septum, and it is often referred to as a congenital, or Müllerian, anomaly because it exists at birth and is incredibly rare. No risk factors are associated with a vaginal septum yet. 
Structurally, a vaginal septum develops when the vagina forms during fetal development. Ducts, known as Müllerian ducts, fuse during this time to create one canal, the vagina. In the case of a vaginal septum, these ducts do not fuse.
How Do You Know You Have a Vaginal Septum?
Many people with vaginal septum do not realize they have one until they reach puberty and begin menstruating. Others can go without noticing until they become sexually active. This is because a vaginal septum is only visible when examining the vagina.
The only way to find out if you have a vaginal septum is through an internal vaginal exam performed by a healthcare provider. They can see the tissue wall and its location and determine if a vaginal septum is present.
Vaginal septums are not the only uterine abnormalities that can occur due to the improper development of the Müllerian tract. Others include:
- Agenesis and hypoplasia: An underdeveloped or undeveloped Müllerian tract,
- Unicornuate uterus (UU): When the uterus grows in the shape of a banana because one Müllerian duct does not form properly during fetal development,
- Septate uterus: A septum within the uterus that divides the cavity,
- DES-related uterus: A T-shaped uterus and a malformed cervix and upper vagina usually caused by taking the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant.
Does Having a Vaginal Septum Pose Any Health Risks?
There are some risks associated with a vaginal septum. Those risks differ depending on the type. In the case of TVS, in which the tissue growth is horizontal, menstruation can become blocked from exiting the vagina if the tissue covers the vaginal opening entirely. This can lead to the following:
- Hematocolpos (retention of menstrual blood),
- Pelvic pain,
- Genital pain that occurs before, during, or after sexual intercourse,
- Persistent vaginal bleeding,
- Abdominal pain and cramps.
People with vaginal septums may also find it more difficult to conceive.
Definition of Hematocolpos
Hematocolpos is the term used to describe the pooling of menstrual blood in the vagina. The vagina becomes dilated and filled with blood when it cannot exit the vaginal canal as it’s supposed to. It can be caused by a vaginal septum.
When to Consider Vaginal Septum Removal
In many cases, removal of a vaginal septum may not be required. If it doesn’t cause any symptoms or pain, healthcare providers may suggest forgoing surgery. 
However, if a person does experience specific issues, such as difficulty and/or pain during sexual intercourse, or hematocolpos, they may want to explore surgical removal.
Other Causes of Pain During Sexual Intercourse
A vaginal septum isn’t the only thing that can cause pain during sexual intercourse. Other possible causes include:
- Endometriosis (cells like those lining the uterus grow outside the uterus),
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (infection of the reproductive organs),
- Pelvic congestion syndrome (chronic pelvic pain from varicose veins developing around the ovaries),
- Fibroids (noncancerous growths in the uterus),
- Poor vaginal lubrication,
- Vaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls),
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
- Hormonal deficiencies.
Vaginal Septum Removal Procedure
The primary surgery used is called a vaginal septum resection. The procedure performed to remove a vaginal septum is generally safe. A surgeon will resect the tissue and drain any excess menstrual blood that may have been trapped in the vagina.
The aftereffects, such as scarring following a vaginal septum resection, will depend on the type of septum a person has. For example, an LVS can be removed with minimal vaginal scarring risk, while TVS offers a high risk for scarring. Other complications that can occur following the surgery include:
- Stenosis, or narrowing, of the vagina,
- Injury to the rectum or bladder,
- Bleeding,
- Soreness.
To lower the risk of these complications, the vagina may be dilated before surgery, using a vaginal dilator. This helps prevent the vagina from narrowing after removing the tissue. Vaginal dilation stretches the tissue and restores elasticity to the vagina. A vaginal stent (a small mesh tube) may also be placed following surgery to keep the vaginal walls apart and prevent the vaginal canal from narrowing.
Vaginal Septum Removal Recovery
A vaginal septum resection surgery is considered an outpatient procedure. That means it does not require people to stay at the hospital overnight. After they have recovered from the anesthetic given during the surgery, they can go home to rest. 
There may be some aftereffects, such as light vaginal bleeding and genital soreness. The pain following surgery is often mild enough to be treated with over-the-counter pain medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), here Homeopathic “Arnica Montana 10M will not only subside the pain for several days (one single dose is sufficient for 5 days) but will speed up the healing process and minimizing the scar.
Patients should avoid sexual activities until they fully recover from the surgery. Rest and recovery should last between two to five days, depending on the patient, after which they can return to their normal daily activities.
P. S: This article is only for doctors and students having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy.
For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.
Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.
Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.
Location: Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.
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