Woman, 23, struck by rare condition that causes her vagina to 'gradually close up' - and triggers growth of a 'micropenis'

Doctors have performed an ultra-rare operation to transform the life of a 23 year-old woman who suffered a range of bizarre genital deformities — including the 'closing up' of her vaginal opening.

The woman had only noticed the problem in the two years prior to the surgery, and had so far experienced regular menstrual periods, according to the report published in Springer Nature.

Gynaecologists also noted that her clitoris — genital tissue with around 8,000 nerve endings responsible for sexual pleasure — was more than 10 times the size of the average length, and resembled a 'micropenis'. 

 Intriguingly, scans showed her reproductive organs, including her womb and ovaries, were normal. 

The woman was said to be suffering a genetic condition that affects just one in 160,000 women worldwide, called clitoromegaly.

The rare disorder causes the external genitals to develop abnormally, often resembling male organs. 

It is thought to be caused by a mutation in DNA that causes a severe imbalance in sex hormones as a child develops.

While most women who suffer the condition develop some male genitalia at birth, in this most recent case, reported by doctors at Shalinitai Meghe Hospital in Nagpur, India, the 'penis' only began to grow when the patient grew older. 

The experts note that symptoms of the condition can go unnoticed until puberty kicks in and patients are affected by an increase in sex hormones. 

Doctors noted that the patient also had extremely small amounts of breast tissue, as well as excess hair growth on the face. 

A major operation was conducted to cut away the excess clitoral skin, leaving a small line of nerve tissue resembling typical female anatomy, measuring roughly 5mm.

Surgeons then removed the 'fused skin' that was covering her vaginal opening, and all incisions were stitched closed. 

The doctors reported that the woman was discharged after five days. 

One month later, sensation in the area was said to be 'normal' and the patient was 'delighted, happy, and extremely satisfied' with both cosmetic and functional results, the doctors said.

The authors of the medical case report note that many cases of clitoromegaly go unnoticed, particularly if the changes to genitalia is minimal.

The condition, they say, has 'great psychological and psychosocial impact' and can cause 'great mental agony for the family'.

'This leads to social withdrawal, especially in team sports and medical examinations involving nudity,' they continue. 'They avoid romantic and sexual relationships, although there is no net effect on pleasurable sexual activity.'