MRKH Guide for Teens:

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Intro	Frequently Asked Questions
Diagnosis	Vaginal Dilator Instructions
Treatment Options

Can anyone tell that I have MRKH?

Some young women wonder if anyone can tell if they have MRKH. The answer is no. No one, except you and your health care provider can tell that you were born with an incomplete vagina and following treatment, with dilators or surgery, your sexual partner will not be able to feel any difference.

 

Will I be able to have children?

If you were born with an incomplete vagina but have a normal size uterus, it is likely that you will be able to become pregnant and carry a baby. If you were born without a uterus or if your uterus is tiny, you will not be able to carry a pregnancy. Since your ovaries are normal and make eggs, an egg can be fertilized with your partners' sperm.

 

Someone else such as; your sister, friend, or another person you choose, could be the surrogate mother. Surrogate mothers are women who agree to carry a pregnancy for a couple. You and the baby's father would be the biological parents of this child. Adoption is another choice for some couples. Fertility options are improving every day. By the time you are ready to have children, there may be more options available to you.

 

Why might I have pelvic (belly) pain each month?

Some women with MRKH may have a tiny uterus called a “uteri or uterine remnant”. The uterus or womb is not big enough to carry a baby but it can cause pelvic pain if blood from this small uterus goes into the belly. Your health care provider will be able to tell if you have a small uterus and if it needs to be taken out. If you have belly pain, it is important to tell your health care provider.

 

If I don't make a vagina but I do decide to have sex, will anything bad happen?

If you have vaginal intercourse before your vagina is created using dilators or surgery, sex will likely be very painful. It could cause a tear in your vagina and bleeding. Making a vagina with sex can be done but comes with risks and is usually very uncomfortable.

 

Will I ever be able to have a “normal&rdquo sex life?

YES. Keep in mind that every woman, regardless of her age or health issues experiences sexual stimulation and sensitivity in different ways. Discovering what you enjoy sexually is an evolving process throughout your life. Thus, women with MRKH who are sexually active are encouraged to explore their sexuality with themselves and with their partner(s) to learn what feels both comfortable and pleasurable.

 

I'm in boarding school/college and have a roommate - How do I get some privacy to use the dilators?

Most young women find that they need privacy when using the dilators. When you are sharing a room, either with a sibling or roommate, it can be uncomfortable asking for time alone, especially if you don't want to share any details of your diagnosis or treatment.

 

There are many reasons why people need to have some time alone: meditating, studying, napping, praying, etc. It's always best to plan ahead, so check with your roommate to find out when she will be in class or out of your dorm room so you'll know when you will have private time to use your dilator.

 

I'm really embarrassed with all the medical visits - will this ever get easier?

Many young women diagnosed with MRKH feel pushed into a world of new information and new experiences. It is perfectly normal to have a range of emotions: sadness and anger, hope and worry, fear and embarrassment can all be part of the experience. Your medical team: the health care provider, nurses and social worker, are aware of this and they are trained to be sensitive to your unique situation. You may be the kind of person who wants a lot of interaction and information at all the visits or you may be someone who just wants the facts and prefers to keep the visits as brief as possible. One thing that you can do to make this process easier is to tell your medical team what approach would be most comfortable for you during the appointments and exams. The team will do their best to make sure your appointments are as stress-free as possible.

 

My parents want to keep talking to me about MRKH but I already feel like my privacy has been taken away - how do I keep some boundaries?

An essential part of growing up is becoming more independent as well as setting some boundaries between you and your parents. When there is a medical issue that requires many appointments and exams, it can be hard to feel a sense of privacy. Additionally, since MRKH by definition involves both you and your parents thinking of you as a sexual person, the stress level in families may be very high at first. For many young women and their parents, the conversations you have been having about your body may just feel too private. Just as you have had to get used to this diagnosis and what it all means, so do your parents.

 

Sometimes this may feel like an invasion of your privacy. Your parents may find it helpful to read the Parent's Guide to MRKH which answers the most frequently asked questions parents have.

 

You can also talk with members of your medical team for help with communicating with your parents.

 

Is there anyone else I can talk to about having MRKH?

Some young women find it helpful to talk with a parent(s), while other girls prefer to talk with a counselor or a close friend. We know that it can be very helpful to talk with someone your own age that has MRKH. The Center for Young Women's Health at Children's Hospital Boston offers free monthly chats for young women with MRKH.

 

Am I still a biological woman?

It's not uncommon for young woman to wonder if they are “really a girl” when they first learn they're born with an incomplete vagina and uterus. If you have asked yourself this question, you are not alone. However, it's very important for you to understand that you are a female. Your health care provider may order a special blood test that can confirm that you are a genetic female and have 46XX chromosomes.

 

Will my vagina ever close up?

Once you have created a vagina your vagina shouldn't change or shrink if you are having vaginal intercourse or using the dilator about once a week. If you are not sexually active, you should use the largest size dilator once a week for about 15-20 minutes (only after you are finished making your vagina).

 

I don't want to use the dilators now - can I wait until I feel ready? What happens if I never create a vagina?

The choice to have treatment - how and when - IS UP TO YOU! Like any important decision, it is essential that you get all the information before you make the decision to have treatment. Talking with other women who have MRKH is valuable too. You control your body. You should never be forced or pressured into using dilators by your parents, partner or medical team. Rather, they should support you during the treatment process only when you decide the time is right. Your medical team has the responsibility of giving you information and resources to help you understand your reproductive health issues so YOU can make informed decisions. Your parents have the responsibility of helping you get medical care and helping you obtain privacy at home if/when you begin using dilators. You have the responsibility to learn more about MRKH and to talk with a trusted adult if you are feeling overwhelmed.

 

If you have a question about MRKH that you'd like answered, e-mail us. Our team will review your question. All appropriate questions will be answered and posted in the FAQ section.

 

If you have been diagnosed with MRKH or you would like an evaluation or second opinion, you may contact the Gynecology Program at Children's Hospital Boston at: (617) 355-7648.

 

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Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

 

Updated: 10/24/2011