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L’retroverted uterus it is a very common morphological condition of the organ in women; let’s see together what the symptoms are and what it entails.
Retroverted uterus: what it is
The uterus is the female genital organ in which the egg is fertilized by the spermatozoa.
Later, this organ will welcome the fetus and protect it during its development. Its location is between the bladder and the straight, normally folded forward. However, there are cases in which it is tilted back, and in this particular anatomical conformation it is called: retroverted uterus. This condition is not a pathology and involves the 25% of women.
Only after one gynecological examination you may discover that you suffer from it because, in most cases, it is absolutely asymptomatic and the functions of the organ are not compromised in any way.
The doctor’s suspicion of the presence of a retroverted uterus during any gynecological examination is immediate. When she notices that the neck of the organ, rather than being in the back, is positioned anteriorly after the vagina. To confirm this hypothesis it is useful to carry out apelvic ultrasound, in which the position of the organs found in this district is clearly represented.
Causes of retroverted uterus can be:
Retroverted uterus: what it entails
On the retroverted uterus, in most cases there is no intervention; however, it can cause pain or discomfort which, following various tests, will be traced back to the conformation of the organ. In this case, a possible medical solution is the introduction of a rubber device into the said vagina pessary, which binds the organ to a correct position.
In the past, there was a widespread belief that the retroverted uterus yielded more difficult approach a pregnancy or increase the rate of miscarriages. These beliefs were actually based on the fact that, being folded back, the uterus was not easily reachable by the spermatozoon. While the question can be completely denied abortions which can occur with the same probability as any other pregnancy. The only condition that in the case of a retroverted uterus would increase the possibility of abortion is the presence of fibroids, as they would prevent the correct nesting of the embryo in the uterine wall. First of all, therefore, it is important to understand what are the causes of this anomalous conformation.
Another consequence could be the painful menstruation: abdominal cramps and period-related discomfort such as headache. While at first it was believed that these pains were caused by the stagnation of blood near the cervix, it was later confirmed that the pain was instead generated by the contractions of the muscle wall.
It also entails cystitis or intestinal problems that could be linked to the abnormal position of the organ since the latter would prevent, in some cases, the correct emptying of the bladder by compressing the rectum and preventing the correct outflow of stool.
Sexual positions to promote conception
In the presence of a retroverted uterus it could be more difficult to get pregnant both because, as mentioned before, the spermatozoa have to go “more way”, but also because during sexual intercourse the woman could feel pains, due to accidental contact that occurs between the man’s penis and the cervix. This situation could lead to incorrect lubrication, which is essential to facilitate fertilization of the egg.
The locations recommended to promote conception are those that do not create discomfort and favor a deep penetration to help the fertilization of the egg. In short, every couple will find the best conditions. Furthermore, to increase the chances of getting pregnant, it is possible to favor the ascent of the spermatozoa towards the uterus in the following ways:
- to remain lie down for at least half an hour after intercourse;
- bring the legs to the chest;
- place a pillow under your butt.
Pain in pregnancy
If the woman becomes pregnant, the retroverted uterus will have no influence in childbirth and her pregnancy will be very similar to that of a subject who does not have this problem, especially from fourth month. In fact, from this moment on, the growth of the child causes this organ to reposition itself in the correct shape. In the first months, however, the discomfort related to urinary difficulty and constipation could amplify. As you approach the time of delivery, however, the uterus will naturally align with the vagina and assume a position that favors the baby’s exit. After childbirth, the uterus may spontaneously return to its normal position or, if there has been prolonged effort, some ligament rupture and the uterus retroversion occurs.