A large percentage of women with a transverse vaginal septum have a small hole or fenestration within the transverse vaginal septum, so they may have regular menstrual periods, although the periods may last longer than the normal four to seven day cycle.

During an examination, a woman may find that she has a normal hymeneal opening and a lower vagina. As one enters the vagina there will be a fibrous wall of tissue and this is the transverse vaginal septum. Above the transverse vaginal septum, there is a normal vagina. If there is a complete obstruction without a hole within the transverse vaginal septum, then if a woman is having menstrual cycles there is a blockage of the blood and it will collect in the upper vagina.

A transverse vaginal septum will most likely require a surgical procedure to resect the fibrous septal tissue. The gynecologist who performs the surgery must be familiar with the risk of complications of a transverse vaginal septum due to the fact that there can be stenosis or scarring of the vagina in the area of the transverse vaginal septum which can create a "hour-glass" effect to the vagina. After resection of the transverse vaginal septum, the woman may be required to use a vaginal dilator in order to avoid this "hour-glass" effect of the healing process.

Once the transverse vaginal septum has been surgically corrected, the woman should be able to have normal sexual relations and should also have no long term effects on reproductive function and the ability to have a child.

For more information go to the Center for Young Women's Health website.