Understanding MRKH Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide

MRKH syndrome is a congenital condition whereby the upper portion of the vagina, cervix and/or uterus are absent or very small.

These structures are built by the foetal mullerian duct system in the womb. Chromosomes are 46, XX (female). This page is about Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome Type I.

There are three types of MRKH syndrome:

Typical MRKH – missing or partially formed uterus and vagina (most common form)
Atypical MRKH – missing or partially formed uterus and vagina, with kidney malformation or uterovaginal aplasia/hypoplasia with ovary dysfunction (about a quarter of cases)
MURCS syndrome – missing or partially formed uterus and vagina, with kidney (renal) malformations, skeletal malformations, and heart/cardiac malformations (just over 10 per cent of cases)

Symptoms of MRKH syndrome

Puberty is normal, but menstruating never starts (primary amenorrhoea)
Cyclic abdominal pain caused by endometrial tissue shedding without anywhere to go
Cycle appears normal, including ovulation, since the uterus may exist, but be very small
Infertility (though not everyone with MRKH is infertile, and some can even carry to term and deliver normally)
Painful intercourse due to a short vagina (dyspareunia due to vaginal aplasia)
Problems urinating, incontinence, or recurrent urinary tract infections
Scoliosis and other vertebral anomalies
Possibly only one kidney

The vagina can end in a blind pouch (vaginal aplasia), so the shallower this vagina, the more problems the woman will have with sex. All is not lost, however, as we have surgical and non-surgical techniques to improve this for those of you with short vaginas.

Diagnosis of MRKH syndrome

Genetic testing will be done to check for abnormalities and androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). If one has complete AIS, complete external female genitalia exist, but the person is a 46, XY – a genetic male.

Other hormones will be checked for normal levels to examine proper ovarian function (luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Testosterone levels are usually in the normal female range.

Imaging may be used to check internal reproductive organs, and to check how long the vagina is, any duplicate organs, or obstructions. The bladder and kidney will also be checked.

Management of MRKH syndrome

The point of any treatments is to provide an unscarred vagina for sexual functioning. Any uterine tissue can be removed to prevent endometriosis and any ovarian impairment – we want those to stay working, since they provide the body with oestrogen and stop premature menopause.

Vaginal dilators have been used very successfully to stretch out the vagina. New techniques are better than the old, which have been a little bit brutal, and patient compliance was an issue (no doubt the old dilators were designed by someone without a vagina of any kind).

Surgical reconstruction methods

Surgical reconstruction has also been successful.

Method 1 – skin grafts are taken from the thigh or buttock used to create a ‘neovagina’ (a new vagina). Scarring can be an issue, and the process takes many, many months to completion. Dilation will always be required.

Method 2 – use a vulval flap to make a vaginal tube. This isn’t ideal, since dilation is needed for long periods of time and the angle may be all wrong. Other flesh can also be used from the labia minora or other fasciocutaneous tissue.

Method 3 – use intestinal tissue (colovagina), since this tissue keeps blood supply. Many people find this surgery to be the most satisfactory.

Method 4 – Vecchietti technique – Continuous progressive pressure is caused by an acrylic olive that is passed through the potential new vaginal space and the abdominal wall. Traction devices are attached, and gradually draw the olive upwards over days or weeks, lengthening the vaginal vault. This is now done laparoscopically.

Why does MRKH syndrome occur?

In a nutshell, nobody knows exactly why this happens, and no gene has been identified – there are many variations of Differences (or Disorders) in Sexual Development.

All babies are born girls, and women with MRKH syndrome are completely female (46, XX), but just possibly missing some items.

At about five weeks’ gestation, the Müllerian ducts stop developing, and the Wolffian ducts take over. Since the ovaries use a different set of triggers to grow, they continue unaffected.

The top of the Müllerian ducts, which form the uterus, cervix and upper two-thirds of the vagina, fuse together, and the unfused upper ends form the fallopian tubes. The kidneys and renal system then develop out of the Wolffian ducts.

Outcomes of MRKH syndrome

Fertility and pregnancy in MRKH syndrome

Having babies may be possible in several ways. If the uterus and other organs are in place and exist, it may be entirely possible for them to be used. If the uterus doesn’t exist, there is no chance of carrying a baby, but with assistance, since eggs remain perfectly intact, you can get the eggs out and use them elsewhere.

People with MRKH have normal female body development after puberty, with normal height. Vaginal examination may not be easy or comfortable, though the vulva, labia and clitoris are all normal.

Sex in MRKH syndrome

With reconstructive treatments, a normal, healthy happy sex life can be achieved.

Psychological outcomes in MRKH syndrome

Counselling is an absolute essential, since women who discover this fact must come to terms with the new version of themselves. It looks much like the old version, with a few fundamental differences. Feelings range from rage to rejection to everything in between, which may largely correlate with the degree of infertility or irregularity. Parents may also feel guilt.

Once this discovery has been made, and all the relevant tests done to discover the inside picture, finding other people with the same body will be really important – this is the second most common reason why periods never begin, which means there are a lot of you out there. Find them. Connect.

One in 4,000-5,000 live births is without a vagina, and it may run in families.