Congenital absence of the vagina. Clinical and psychologic aspects.

Abstract

Seventeen patients with congenital absence of the the vagina are presented. The clinical results of conservative and surgical treatment are briefly described. Psychologic problems produced in the patients by knowledge of the anomaly and following the operative procedure were studied by a retrospective interview technique and are discussed. It is concluded that the gynecologist and psychologist must together undertake psychologic preparation of the patient for the operation--and its mental aftermath--as early as possible if the best clinical and psychologic results are to be obtained.