The uterus is the female gynecological organ responsible for conception and management of the fetus until birth. Most women have an anteverted uterus.
What is an anteverted uterus?
The uterus is thefemale genital organ. It is in this organ that fertilization of the ovum takes place, and the embryo develops into a fetus.
The uterus is shaped like an inverted pear. The body of the uterus contains numerous blood vessels and is lined with a mucous membrane called the endometrium or uterine mucous membrane, as is the cervix, which opens out into the vagina.
To define its position, two angles must be taken into account:
- Theangle of flexion (the axis is formed with that of the cervix);
- And theversion angle (the axis is formed with the pelvic excavation, i.e. the line drawn between the navel and the coccyx).
For most women, the uterus is anteverted, i.e. the version angle is in front of the pelvic excavation, i.e. on the horizontal plane. However, there are different uterine shapes bicornuate, didelphic, etc.
Common shape: the anteverted anteflexed uterus
There are also several anatomical variations of the anteverted uterus. Theanteverted anteflexed uterus is the most common uterine shape. This shape is characterized by the fact that the axis of the cervix forms an angle with the axis of the body of the uterus, which is open at the front.
Some women will have a highly anteverted uterus, which can cause symptoms such as urinary difficulties during the first trimester of pregnancy. In most cases, however, the anteverted uterus does not cause any symptoms.
Rarer form: the retroflexed anteverted uterus
The second anatomical variation of the uterus is anteverted retroflexed. This orientation can cause symptoms and pain. It is characterized by the axis of the cervix forming an angle with the axis of the body, which is open to the rear.
What are the differences with a retroverted uterus?
The final variation in orientation is theretroverted uterus. This type of uterus is thought to affect between 20% and 30% of women. What does retroverted mean? It means that instead of being inclined forward, it is actually tilted backwards. It rests more on the rectum than on the bladder.
This type of orientation can cause symptoms such as pain during intercourse, painful periods called dysmenorrhea, lower back pain during menstruation, pain during defecation and constipation. But a retroverted uterus can also be asymptomatic. In all cases, it's not a pathology, just a malformation. On the other hand, a retroverted uterus can be the cause of an inflammatory pathology, such as endometriosis, or the sign of a fibroid.
Rest assured: having a retroverted uterus does not cause complications during pregnancy. In fact, it automatically (or almost automatically) returns to an anteverted rotation when you're pregnant. If this is not the case, a health professional will simply perform a manipulation.
The same goes for fertility: there are no consequences to report, nor for IUD insertion. The gynecologist simply needs to be informed before insertion.
What are the consequences of an anteverted uterus?
The anteverted anteflexed position is the natural position of the uterus. However, when it is hyper-anterverted, it can cause symptoms such as:
- Urinary difficulties due to urinary retention, which can occur during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Most of the time, it does not cause symptoms.
Before considering it as a cause of pain etc., other potential causes such as endometriosis or vaginal lesions should be ruled out.
Is there a treatment for an anterior uterus?
There is no treatment for an anteverted uterus, which is a perfectly normal position. However, this does not mean that it is normal to feel any pain, whether during your period, during intercourse, or at any time during your cycle. It's important to consult your doctor if you experience persistent symptoms.
How can I find out if my uterus is anteverted?
Only a gynecological examination can tell you whether or not your uterus is anteverted. To determine the position of the uterus, an ultrasound scan is required. Women generally discover the orientation of their uterus during gynecological examinations such as post-partum check-ups, IUD insertion, complementary examinations for suspected pathologies, etc.
FAQs on the anteverted uterus
Is it serious to have an anteverted uterus?
This is the natural shape of the uterus. So there's nothing to worry about with an anteverted uterus. On the contrary, you reduce the risk of uterine problems!
How can I get pregnant with an anteverted uterus?
Regardless of the orientation of your uterus, whether it's anteverted or retroverted, there are no consequences for a potential pregnancy.
