A vaginal septum is a congenital partition within the vagina

Vagina

The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...

; such a septum

Septum

In anatomy, a septum is a wall, dividing a cavity or structure into smaller ones.-In human anatomy:...

 could be either longitudinal or transverse.

Longitudinal septum – double vagina

A longitudinal vaginal septum develops during embryogenesis

Embryogenesis

Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops, until it develops into a fetus.Embryogenesis starts with the fertilization of the ovum by sperm. The fertilized ovum is referred to as a zygote...

 when there is an incomplete fusion of the lower parts of the two mullerian duct

Müllerian duct

Müllerian ducts are paired ducts of the embryo that run down the lateral sides of the urogenital ridge and terminate at the Müllerian eminence in the primitive urogenital sinus. In the female, they will develop to form the Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and the upper two-third of the vagina; in...

s. As a result there is a double vagina. There may be associated duplications of the more cranial parts of the mullerian derivatives, a double cervix

Cervix

The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall...

, and either a uterine septum

Uterine septum

A uterine septum is a form of a congenital malformation where the uterine cavity is partitioned by a longitudinal septum; the outside of the uterus has a normal typical shape...

 or uterus didelphys (double uterus).

The person with a longitudinal vaginal septum may be asymptomatic and not aware of the condition. If dyspareunia

Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. The symptom is reported almost exclusively by women, although the problem can also occur in men. The causes are often reversible, even when long-standing, but self-perpetuating pain is a factor after the original...

 is a problem a simple resection

Segmental resection

Segmental resection is a surgical procedure to remove part of an organ or gland. It may also be used to remove a tumor and normal tissue around it. In lung cancer surgery, segmental resection refers to removing a section of a lobe of the lung.- External links :* entry in the public domain NCI...

 of the septum could be performed.

Transverse septum

A transverse septum can form during embryogenesis when the mullerian ducts fuse improperly to the urogenital sinus

Urogenital sinus

The definitive urogenital sinus is a part of the human body only present in the development of the urinary and reproductive organs...

. A complete transverse will block menstrual flow and is a cause of primary amenorrhea. The accumulation of menstrual debris behind the septum is termed cryptomenorrhea

Cryptomenorrhea

Cryptomenorrhea or cryptomenorrhoea, also known as hematocolpos, is a condition where menstruation occurs but is not visible due to an obstruction of the outflow tract. Specifically the endometrium is shed, but a congenital obstruction such as a vaginal septum or on part of the hymen retains the...

. Some transverse septa are incomplete and may lead to dyspareunia

Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. The symptom is reported almost exclusively by women, although the problem can also occur in men. The causes are often reversible, even when long-standing, but self-perpetuating pain is a factor after the original...

 or obstruction in labor

Childbirth

Childbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with the birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...

. A surgical incision will relieve the situation.