Retroverted uterus
Encyclopedia
A retroverted uterus is a uterus
that is tilted backwards instead of forwards. This is in contrast to the slightly "anteverted
" uterus that most women have, which is tipped forward toward the bladder
, with the anterior end slightly concave.
Between 1 in 3 and 1-in-5 women (depending on the source) has a retroverted uterus, which is tipped backwards towards the spine
.
A retroverted uterus should be distinguished from the following:
Additional terms include:
, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease
, or the labor of childbirth
.
.
It can cause pain in the lower back.
It usually does not pose any medical problems, though it can be associated with dyspareunia
(pain during sexual intercourse
) and dysmenorrhea
(pain during menstruation
).
. A tipped uterus will usually right itself during the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy
.
If a uterus does not right itself, it may be labeled persistent.
, manual repositioning, and surgery.
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
that is tilted backwards instead of forwards. This is in contrast to the slightly "anteverted
Anteversion
Anteversion and retroversion are complementary anatomical terms of location, describing the degree to which an anatomical structure is rotated forwards or backwards respectively, relative to some datum position.More specifically, neck anteversion is a neck tilted further forward than normal.A...
" uterus that most women have, which is tipped forward toward the bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
, with the anterior end slightly concave.
Between 1 in 3 and 1-in-5 women (depending on the source) has a retroverted uterus, which is tipped backwards towards the spine
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
.
Related terms
The following table distinguishes among some of the terms used for the position of the uterus:A retroverted uterus should be distinguished from the following:
| Distinction | More common | Less common >- | Position tipped |
"anteverted": tipped forward | >- | "anteflexed": the fundus is pointing forward relative to the cervix. Anterior of uterus is concave. | "retroflexed": the fundus is pointing backwards. Anterior of uterus is convex. |
Additional terms include:
- retrocessed uterus: both the superior and inferior ends of the uterus are pushed posteriorly
- severely anteflexed uterus: the uterus is in the same position as "normal" and bends in the same direction (concave is anterior) but the bend is much pronounced
- vertical uterus: the fundusFundus (uterus)The fundus of the uterus is the top portion, opposite from the cervix.Fundal height, measured from the top of the pubic bone, is routinely measured in pregnancy to determine growth rates...
(top of the uterus) is straight up.
Causes
In most cases, a retroverted uterus is genetic and is perfectly normal but there are other factors that can cause the uterus to be retroverted. Some cases are caused by pelvic surgery, pelvic adhesions, endometriosisEndometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a generic term for inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries as it progresses to scar formation with adhesions to nearby tissues and organs. This may lead to infections. PID is a vague term and can refer to viral, fungal, parasitic, though most...
, or the labor of childbirth
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...
.
Diagnosis
A retroverted uterus is usually diagnosed during a routine pelvic examinationPelvic examination
A pelvic examination, also pelvic exam, is a physical examination of the female pelvic organs.Broadly, it can be divided into the external examination and internal examination.It is also called "Bimanual Exam" & "Manual Uterine Palpation"....
.
It can cause pain in the lower back.
It usually does not pose any medical problems, though it can be associated with 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...
(pain during sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
) and dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is a gynecological medical condition of pain during menstruation that interferes with daily activities, as defined by ACOG and others. Still, dysmenorrhea is often defined simply as menstrual pain, or at least menstrual pain that is excessive...
(pain during menstruation
Menstruation
Menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining . It occurs on a regular basis in sexually reproductive-age females of certain mammal species. This article focuses on human menstruation.-Overview:...
).
Fertility & Pregnancy
Uterine position has no effect on fertilityFertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
. A tipped uterus will usually right itself during the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
.
If a uterus does not right itself, it may be labeled persistent.
Treatment
Treatment options are rarely needed, and include exercises, a pessaryPessary
A pessary is a small plastic or silicone medical device which is inserted into the vagina or rectum and held in place by the pelvic floor musculature. - Therapeutic pessaries :...
, manual repositioning, and surgery.