Objective To describe variations in genital dimensions of normal women.Design Observational cross-sectional study.Setting Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, University College Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.Population Fifty premenopausal women having gynaecological procedures not involving the external genitalia under general anaesthetic. Methods A cross sectional study using digital photography and measurements of the external genitalia.Main outcome measures Clitoral size, labial length and width, colour and rugosity, vaginal length, distance from clitoris to urethral orifice, distance from posterior fourchette to anterior anal margin. Results A wide range of values were noted for each measurement. There was no statistically significant association with age, parity, ethnicity, hormonal use or history of sexual activity. Conclusion Women vary widely in genital dimensions. This information should be made available to women when considering surgical procedures on the genitals, decisions for which must be carefully considered between surgeon and woman.

SummaryOur knowledge of the experience of adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) as they pass through life is only now emerging. In this review we gather medical, surgical and psychological literature pertaining to adults with CAH and consider this alongside practical experience gained from a dedicated adult CAH clinic. There is increasing awareness for the need for multidisciplinary teams who have knowledge of CAH particularly with respect to gynaecological surgery and clinical psychology for women and testicular function in men.Routine management of CAH comprises adjustment of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid treatment according to individual needs balancing biochemical markers, compliance and long term risks. Bone density is one such long term concern and is not greatly reduced in most individuals with CAH. More recently, attention has turned to cardiovascular risk factors and catecholamine deficiency in adults with CAH.Women with CAH require access to an experienced gynaecologist, specialised pregnancy care and psychosexual support. The very low fertility rates for women with CAH previously reported appear to be improving with time. Men with CAH are often lost to follow up and therefore miss out on surveillance for hypogonadism either through the effect of adrenal rests of from suppression of gonadotrophins resulting in a high prevalence of oligospermia.

Genital sensitivity is impaired in areas where feminizing genital surgery had been done and impairment to sensitivity are linearly related to difficulties in sexual function. The new information may help inform clinicians and parents making difficult decisions about genital surgery for infants with ambiguous genitalia.