Vaginal lengthening treatment and sexual well-being in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome

A new study aimed to investigate how women with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser (MRKH) syndrome perceive their experiences with dilation or surgical vaginal lengthening treatments and their current sexual well-being.

This was a qualitative interview study undertaken in Denmark. Women aged 25 years and older who were diagnosed with MRKH syndrome were enrolled. Researchers conducted semi-structured video interviews with 18 women, each lasting about 92 minutes on average. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes from the women's experiences. The study focused on a qualitative analysis of the participants' experiences.

Three main themes emerged from the analysis. First, the experiences with dilation treatment were described as awkward, particularly for younger women who lived with their parents and had not yet been sexually active. While some women achieved successful vaginal lengthening, others experienced frustration and self-blame due to treatment failure. Second, experiences with neovaginal surgery highlighted the procedure's extreme pain but noted that it often resulted in a "normal size" vagina. Some participants felt that the surgery negatively impacted their self-confidence, emphasizing the need for emotional maturity before undergoing the procedure. Third, regarding current sexual life and well-being, many women reported a functional sex life but faced low sexual confidence and a poor genital self-image due to feelings of abnormality.

Women with MRKH syndrome may achieve a "normal size" vagina through dilation or surgical lengthening, enabling penetrative intercourse. However, these treatments often do not sufficiently promote positive sexual esteem or a healthy genital self-image, highlighting the persisting gap in overall sexual well-being.

Source: Jensen AH, Herlin MK, Trolle B, et al. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2024 Jul 22.