The positions of the uterus: symptoms, causes, and treatment

What is the curvature angle of a uterus?

In most female bodies, the uterus is slightly tilted forward, allowing it to fit perfectly to the shape of the pelvis. It can also happen that the uterus curves backward, leading to uterine retroflexion or uterine retroversion. This means that the uterus is not in a normal vertical position but is tilted toward the back of the pelvis, which can cause some discomfort or health issues. In this article, we will examine the main symptoms, causes, and treatments of uterine tilt. The most common forms of uterine curvature are uterine retroversion (tilting backward) and uterine retroflexion (bending backward in the pelvis). A curvature can be congenital or acquired.

Does the position of the uterus affect the possibility of giving birth?

Many women are concerned about the following question: is it possible to give birth with an inappropriate angle of the uterus? This question is often raised due to widespread myths and fears, causing additional anxiety. This symptom may sometimes be accompanied by pain, complications during pregnancy, or may even lead to infertility. However, modern diagnostic and treatment methods allow for successful management of these issues and enable a woman to conceive and give birth to a child.

Causes of these abnormal positions of the uterus:

• Adhesions in the pelvis. Adhesions often occur after inflammation or surgery. They can fix the uterus in a poor position and cause it to deviate.
• Endometriosis. Characterized by the proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. The proliferation of the endometrium can exert pressure on the uterus and alter its normal position.
• Pelvic trauma or complications related to childbirth. Injuries can weaken the structures that support the uterus, leading to its displacement.
• Congenital anomalies of the pelvic organs. These anomalies can cause misalignment of the uterus from birth.
• Weakness of the ligaments that support the uterus in the correct position. Weakened ligaments cannot maintain the uterus in a physiologically normal position, leading to its deviation.

Symptoms of uterine tilt

Many women with uterine tilt experience no symptoms and live with this condition without being aware of it. However, in some cases, the following symptoms may appear:

• Constant or recurring abdominal pain, especially during menstruation.
• Urinary or bowel problems.
• Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse.
• Menstrual irregularities.
• Difficulty conceiving.

The diagnosis of these abnormal positions is possible during a systematic gynecological examination, but for accurate confirmation, it is generally necessary to perform an ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Ultrasound allows for determining the exact position of the uterus and identifying associated diseases such as adhesions or endometriosis.

Questions about conception and pregnancy with uterine tilt

When a woman discovers that she has a tilted uterus, she is often concerned about how this may affect her chances of conception, pregnancy, and childbirth. In most cases, women with this symptom can conceive and give birth successfully. However, there are times when a curvature of the cervix makes conception difficult because the normal position of the cervix is disrupted, making it hard for sperm to penetrate. In this case, artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be considered.

• Artificial insemination involves introducing sperm into a woman's uterus to increase the chances of conception.
• IVF is a method in which fertilization occurs outside the body, and the embryo is then transferred to the uterus.

Interestingly, during pregnancy, the issue of uterine retroversion may resolve itself as the uterus changes position and takes a more physiological direction as the fetus grows. However, if a woman has comorbidities such as endometriosis or adhesions, the risk of complications may be higher.

Treatment methods for uterine tilt

The treatment of uterine tilt depends on the cause that triggered it. Physicians determine the most appropriate treatment method based on the results of diagnostics such as ultrasound, screening tests for comorbidities, and the assessment of the woman's overall health:

1. Conservative treatment. Includes physiotherapy procedures to improve blood circulation in the pelvis, special exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, and treatment of associated pathologies such as inflammation and infections.
2. Surgical intervention. If the curvature is caused by adhesions or other mechanical obstructions, the doctor may recommend surgical treatment aimed at eliminating the cause of the curvature.
3. Treatment of infertility. Assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), IVF with egg donation, and IVF with double donation may be used in cases of conception difficulties caused by a tilted uterus.

Prevention and recommendations

To avoid complications related to the position of the uterus, it is recommended to:

• Regularly consult a gynecologist for preventive examinations.
• Timely treat diseases of the pelvic organs to avoid the onset of adhesions.
• Lead an active lifestyle and perform exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of the position of the uterus will help preserve reproductive health and ensure the successful conception and birth of a healthy child. It is important to remember that many women with these symptoms can lead fulfilling lives without encountering problems during pregnancy and childbirth.