Characteristics of external genitalia in pre- and postmenopausal women

To determine those objective measurements that characterize the differences between the external genital organs of pre- and postmenopausal women.

During the study period, 50 premenopausal and 50 postmenopausal patients were recruited. Only women who were admitted for routine control examinations were consecutively included in the study. Exclusion criteria were previous history of pelvic surgery including external and internal genital organs, presence of diseases that may change the anatomy of external genital organs, Mullerian anomalies, previous vaginal birth with mediolateral episiotomy, and use of hormone replacement therapy. The following measurements were performed: length and width of clitoris, labium majus, and labium minus, the distance between the clitoris and urethra, perineal length, and length of vagina.

The length of the vagina and the width of the labium minus were significantly different between the two groups. Mean vaginal length was significantly longer in premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women (90.3 +/- 14.8 mm vs. 82.3 +/- 11.2 mm, respectively). The labia minora were wider in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women (17.9 +/- 4.1 mm vs. 15.4 +/- 4.7 mm).

Characterization of the anatomical changes and relationships of external genitalia in postmenopausal women is important for functional and perioperative evaluation. In addition to reconstructive surgical procedures, determination of the objective measurements of anatomical landmarks in postmenopausal external genitalia might also be useful for assessing the results of treatment of 'atrophic' changes in women.