What do I need to know about the septate uterus?

Having a septate uterus is a very common malformation in women. What are the symptoms of a septate uterus? How is it diagnosed? Find out everything you need to know in this article.

What is a septate uterus?

There are different forms of uterus in women. In this case, the partitioned uterus is characterized by a partition that separates the uterine cavity in two, depending on the height and shape of the partition.

The first form is the cervical septate uterus: in this case, the septum is located at the cervix (the cervix is the lower part of the uterus). The second form is the corporal septate uterus, in which case the septum is located at the bottom of the uterus.

The third form is called "subtotal septate uterus". In this case, the septum runs from the bottom of the uterus down to the isthmus (the part before the cervix).

Finally, the last form of septate uterus is the total septate uterus. In this case, the wall runs from the bottom of the uterus to the cervix, and sometimes even to the vagina. In this case, it is also called a complete urethrovaginal septum.

Is it normal to have a septate uterus?

As previously explained, the septate uterus is the most common malformation today. It represents 55% of all mullerian malformations. Scientists are not really able to find the origin. The most likely cause would be genetics, because in many cases (1 case out of 5), it is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What are the causes of a septate uterus malformation?

The causes of this uterine malformation go back to embryogenesis. It is during the formation of the embryo that the malformation will occur.

The uterus is formed by the fusion of the Müllerian ducts. It is between the 10th and 13th week that the two ducts will fuse. But, in the case of a partitioned uterus, there is a malformation and a defect of fusion during this stage.

What are the effects of a septate uterus on the body and health?

Although this type of abnormality is very common, it can have effects on health at different levels.

On pregnancy

The uterus is the place where the fetus develops during pregnancy. Having a partitioned uterus can indeed have consequences on the good progress of the pregnancy, on fertility and on the development of the fetus.

Several risks can arise:

• First of all, the risk of miscarriage is present when you have a septate uterus, and even higher, whether it is a late or early miscarriage ;
• The risk ofpremature delivery is also higher, in fact, the fetus can lack space and trigger premature contractions;
• A breech birth (when the baby could not turn around) is also more risky;
• A breech birth (when the baby cannot turn over) is also more risky; With a closed uterus, it is also more difficult to consider medically assisted procreation, in fact, in this case implanting an embryo is more delicate.

A twin pregnancy can lead to complications and requires increased monitoring.

It is of course not impossible to carry a pregnancy to term, it just requires special monitoring and rest, sometimes with the need to stay in bed in a lying position to avoid the early arrival of her baby.

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About menstruation

A septate uterus does not have any particular consequences or pain on menstruation.

How is a septate uterus diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made first of all by the detection of symptoms, such as

• Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse;
• Difficulty in inserting sanitary protection Difficulty inserting internal sanitary protection, whether tampons or menstrual cups;
• Repeated miscarriages;
• Premature delivery.

When a woman is prone to recurrent miscarriage (more than 3 miscarriages), late miscarriage (after 14 weeks), or premature delivery (before 30 weeks), a septate uterus may be suspected.

In these situations or when these symptoms are observed, you should approach medical personnel for a diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by using3D ultrasound. It is also advisable to have the opinion of a specialist to make a complete assessment and rule out other malformations or pathologies such as bicornuate uterus, cord uterus or hypoplasia.

In some cases, it is possible to consider an operation so that the patient can start a new pregnancy project.

This operation is performed under hysteroscopy with an ultrasound. Between the 4th and 6th week after the operation, checks are made to ensure that the healing is going well. The patient can then become pregnant again.

Sometimes the septate uterus does not really show any symptoms and is discovered during an infertility check-up.

How is a septate uterus treated?

In the event that a septate uterus is diagnosed, the proposed treatment is surgical. Even more so in women who are considering pregnancy. This surgical procedure is called metroplasty.

This operation consists of removing the partition that separates the uterus in two. It is a simple operation that takes place under hysteroscopy. The operation lasts only one day, on an outpatient basis.

After the operation, regular checks are made under hysteroscopy to verify the healing. A few months later, pregnancy can be considered.

However, if the diagnosis is made when a pregnancy is already in progress, surgery is not possible, only preventive treatment can be considered to avoid premature delivery.