My two month old daughter was diagnosed with a full labial adhesion at her last check up. Her doctor said it was from excessive vaginal driness and we should apply vaseline with every diaper change and avoid powder and other drying agents. My internet research has indicated that the driness could be caused by low estrigen levels as the mother's hormones leave the child. I have PCOS and have low estrigen levels. She has been exclusively nursed since birth. Could the low levels of estrigen in my body cause her levels to be low also and therefore be contributing to the driness and adhesion?
I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter had a full labial adhesion and it has just opened up (she's 3 1/2) on its own. Unless it is giving her urinary tract infections its not a big deal, when her body produces more estrogen it will open up.
I don't know if that contributes to it but my daughter had labial adhesions too. Our doctor prescribed a cream, it was some hormone I can't remember what-maybe estrogen, that we just applied and it eventually went away. I nursed my daughter too. I never did any research since I was told it was common and really not a big deal and because it eventually went away after using the cream. I think it took a few months and hers wasn't total adhesions, it was only partial. Did your doctor give you anything to apply to her vagina or did she/he just say to put the vaseline? That isn't going to do the job I don't think. Better check.
First of all, congratulations on your new baby! As a mom with PCOS symptoms and multiple pregnancy losses, I know what a feat (and blessing) it is to have a new baby!
The estrogen in the baby normally drops around 2-3 months as it is not supplied in formula or breastmilk. Your estrogen and progesterone levels drop after birth to trigger milk production. There's no need to worry about your baby getting enough estrogen from you as a nursing baby. From what I understand, as she hits puberty and her own estrogen levels increase, the adhesion may disappear on their own.
I do not believe that your nursing is affecting her in any bad way, if that's what you mean. Yes, her low estrogen levels might contribute to the adhesion, but it isn't rare for little girls to have low E levels and nursing is still the best thing you can do.
My little girl had low E, which caused uncomfortable vulvitis (not sure if that's what it is called in English, she was diagnosed in another language) but it cleared up when she was about 3.
As I'm sure you already know, nursing is the best thing you can do. There's no chance she'd get more E from formula. When she is a little older, say about a year old, ask your doc if supplementing with soy milk might help. Soy is high in estrogen (some suspect it responsible for early puberty in girls and breast tissue development in boys, ask so do ask your pedi or a pediactric nutritionist.)
I also have PCOS and low estrogen. My understanding is that the mother's low estrogen can affect the baby's estrogen level AT BIRTH, but after that the mother's hormones do not affect baby. It is possible that her estrogen was low when she was born and the adhesion developed soon after birth. I do not believe your breast milk affects her estrogen level. I would follow doctor's orders...not sure about the vaseline, I would rather try A&D ointment. I used it with all 3 of my girls and it is fantastic stuff. It has always cleared up any little irritation quickly. Definitely no powders of any kind. Stick with the breastfeeding, it is best for her and you! Good luck!
I don't think that your hormone levels would effect hers. Her body produces her own hormones. I have PCOS also and my daughter did just fine. However, I never used anything like baby powder or any other drying agents. I've used Desitin since she was born and we've never had any problems. Maybe its the acidity from her urine that is drying her out with the powder. Try Desitin in the purple tube. Its the strongest and most protective. It protects their skin from the urine and poopies. What did your doctor say is causing the adhesion?
