Vaginal agenesis can be a difficult diagnosis for girls and their families. Many girls feel a range of emotions, including:

• Fear and anxiety. Treatment for vaginal agenesis can be scary for some girls. If trying self-dilation, girls may worry that they aren’t doing the procedure correctly. They may feel anxious if they are not making the progress they expect. Girls who have surgery may be afraid of being in the hospital and nervous about what the operation and recovery involve.

Dating and relationships can spark anxiety before and after treatment. A young woman may be concerned about a partner’s reaction if she discloses her situation.

• Depression. Infertility is a common consequence of vaginal agenesis. Some girls need to accept that they will be unable to carry a baby when they are older, although adoption and surrogacy are usually options for them.

• “Feeling different.” A girl with vaginal agenesis may be concerned about how different her body is. For example, she may feel uncomfortable – or less feminine – if her friends talk about their menstrual periods and she has not had one. She may also worry about discussing her situation with others, if she chooses to.

Therapists and counselors can help girls with vaginal agenesis work through these issues. They can also guide parents on providing support at home.