What condition is caused by vaginal atresia?

Vaginal atresia refers to a congenital condition where the vaginal canal is absent or closed, resulting in an obstruction that can have significant reproductive implications. When the vaginal canal is obstructed due to atresia, menstrual flow cannot be properly discharged from the uterus. This trapped menstrual blood leads to a condition known as hematometra, which is characterized by the accumulation of blood within the uterine cavity.

Hematometra occurs because the normal uterine shedding and menstrual cycle cannot occur effectively without an open vaginal canal to allow the menstrual flow out of the body. As a result, this retained blood can lead to further complications, including infection or pain.

The other options represent different conditions with distinct etiologies and pathophysiology. Hydrosalpinx involves fluid accumulation in the fallopian tubes, commonly due to infection or past surgical trauma. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries, resulting from normal ovulatory processes or pathological conditions but are not caused by vaginal atresia. Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, driven by hormonal factors rather than obstruction caused by atresia.

Thus, hematometra is the direct consequence of vaginal atresia due to