Uterine Disorders

 

Uterine Diseases by Pharmacytimess

Uterus

Your uterus is a pear-shaped organ that plays a critical role in menstruation, fertility and pregnancy. It’s hollow and muscular and sits between your rectum and bladder in your pelvis. Certain conditions and diseases of the uterus can cause painful symptoms that require medical treatment.

 

What is a uterus?

Your uterus is a pear-shaped organ in the reproductive system of people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It’s where a fertilized egg implants during pregnancy and where your baby develops until birth. It’s also responsible for your menstrual cycle.

FUNCTION

What does a uterus do?

Your uterus plays a key role in your reproductive health and function. The three main jobs of your uterus are:

• Pregnancy: Your uterus stretches to grow your baby during pregnancy. It can also contract to help push your baby out of your vagina.
• Fertility: Your uterus is where a fertilized egg implants during conception and where your baby grows.
• Menstrual cycle: Your uterine lining is where blood and tissue come from during menstruation.

What happens to uterus during menstruation?

During menstrual cycle, the lining of uterus goes through several changes. The lining (called the endometrial lining) gets thicker and rich with blood as you near ovulation (releasing an egg from the ovaries). If an egg is fertilized during that cycle, it implants into the lining of your uterus, and pregnancy begins.

Your endometrial lining sheds if pregnancy doesn’t happen (this is your period). This process repeats every menstrual cycle unless pregnancy occurs.

What happens to uterus during pregnancy?

If conception (when the egg is fertilized by sperm) occurs during your menstrual cycle, the fertilized egg implants into your uterine lining. The fertilized egg (called a blastocyte) burrows into the endometrial lining of your uterus (implantation). This is when pregnancy officially begins, and you miss your menstrual period.

Your uterus grows and stretches like a balloon to accommodate your growing baby. It contracts during labor and delivery to help push your baby out of your vagina. After about six weeks, your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size (although, it can be slightly larger and show signs of being stretched).

ANATOMY

What does a uterus look like?

Uterus looks like a light bulb. It’s about the size of your fist. It’s also commonly described as an upside-down pear. Uterus has two horn-like organs at the top (the fallopian tubes). It connects to cervix at the bottom, which is the part that opens (dilates) during vaginal delivery.

Uterus has several sections:

• Fundus: The uppermost and widest part of your uterus. It connects to your fallopian tubes.
• Corpus: The main body of your uterus. This is where a fertilized egg implants during pregnancy.
• Isthmus: The part of your uterus between your corpus and cervix. It’s where your uterus starts to narrow or thin.
• Cervix: The lowest part of your uterus. Your cervix opens to your vagina.

Where is uterus in the body?

Uterus is in the pelvis between bladder and rectum. It’s supported by the pelvic floor muscles and perineal body. Ligaments in the pelvis, lower back and hips also help hold the uterus in place.

What is uterus made of?

Your uterus consists of three layers:

• Perimetrium: The outermost, protective layer.
• Myometrium: The highly muscular middle layer. This is what expands during pregnancy and contracts to push your baby out.
• Endometrium: The inner layer or lining of your uterus (uterine lining). This layer of your uterus is shed during your menstrual cycle.

Size of uterus

Uterus is about 3 inches from top to bottom and 2 inches wide at the widest part. It’s about 1 inch thick and weighs around 1 ounce.

Size of uterus during pregnancy

Your uterus is one of the most unique organs in your body. It can stretch from the size of a lemon to the size of a watermelon during pregnancy. Your uterus can be up to 2 pounds when your baby is born. Your uterus shrinks down to its normal size (a process called involution) and position about six weeks postpartum (after giving birth).

What are the positions of the uterus?

The uterus can lie in several positions. A typical uterus tilts forward at the cervix and points towards the abdomen. This is called an anteverted uterus. Most people have an anteverted uterus.

If you don’t have an anteverted uterus, you might have a:

• Retroverted uterus: Commonly called a tipped or tilted uterus. This is when the uterus is tilted or tipped backward so it curves toward the spine instead of forward toward the abdomen.
• Anteflexed uterus: the uterus is anteflexed when it’s bent forward. The tilt is severe and can put pressure on the abdomen or bladder and cause painful symptoms.
• Retroflexed uterus: The uterus is retroflexed when it’s bent backward. The tilt puts pressure on your lower back.

Some people never know they have an irregular-shaped uterus because they don’t have symptoms. In some cases, you’ll have symptoms that require treatment by your healthcare provider.

CONDITIONS AND DISORDERS

What are the common conditions of the uterus?

Several health conditions can be associated with your uterus. Some of the most common conditions are:

• Uterine fibroids: Small, noncancerous tumors in your uterus.

        Learn more about: Uterine fibroids

• Uterine polyps: Growths in the endometrial lining of your uterus.

        Learn more about: Uterine polyps

• Uterine cancer: Cancer of your uterus, such as endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma.

        Learn more about: Uterine cancer

• Endometriosis: A condition when your uterine lining grows in places other than your uterus.

        Learn more about: Endometriosis

• Pelvic inflammatory disease: An infection of your reproductive organs.

        Learn more about: Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Uterine prolapse: A condition where your uterus slips out of position.

        Learn more about: Uterine prolapse

• Infertility: The inability to get pregnant.

        Learn more about: Infertility

What are common symptoms of uterine conditions?

If you’re experiencing issues with your uterus, your symptoms might include:

• Problems with your menstrual cycle.
• Irregular bleeding.
• Pelvic pain.
• Irregular vaginal discharge.
• Difficulty getting pregnant.
• Painful urination (dysuria).

What are the types of uterine abnormalities?

Two ducts (called the Mullerian ducts) fuse together to form one uterine cavity during normal fetal development. For some people, these ducts don’t fuse properly, resulting in an irregularly-shaped uterus. Uterine abnormalities are congenital, meaning you were born with them.

Some of the most common abnormalities are:

• Bicornuate uterus: A heart-shaped uterus.
• Arcuate uterus: Similar to a bicornuate uterus but with less of a dip or heart shape.
• Septate uterus: When your uterus is divided into two parts by a membrane.
• Unicornuate uterus: When you have one fallopian tube and an irregularly shaped uterus.
• Didelphys uterus: When you’re born with two uteruses.

What tests diagnose conditions of the uterus?

There are several reasons your healthcare provider may need to use diagnostic tools on your uterus. Some of these reasons include screening for cancer, monitoring pregnancy, helping with fertility issues or diagnosing conditions.

Some of the most common tests involving your uterus are:

• Pelvic exam: When your healthcare provider looks at your uterus, cervix, vagina, ovaries and other reproductive organs.
• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your uterus.
• Hysteroscopy: When your healthcare provider inserts a thin, lighted tube into your vagina to take pictures of the inside of your uterus. It can also check to see if your fallopian tubes are open.
• MRI: Uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of your uterus and other reproductive organs in your pelvis.

What treatments are used for uterus conditions?

Treatment for uterine conditions or diseases depends on the cause of your symptoms. Medications like antibiotics, hormone therapy and surgery are all commonly used treatments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the removal of your uterus called?

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus, and most likely, your cervix. Depending on the reason for the surgery, a hysterectomy may involve removing surrounding organs and tissues, such as your fallopian tubes and ovaries.

References

• Ameer MA, Fagan SE, Sosa-Stanley JN, et al. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Uterus. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470297/) [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 3/8/2022.
• Macmillian Cancer Support. The womb. (https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/womb-cancer/the-womb) Accessed 3/8/2022.
• Manual of Obstetrics. (3rd ed.). Elsevier 2011. pp. 1–16. ISBN 9788131225561. Accessed 3/8/2022.
• Radiopaedia. Uterus. (https://radiopaedia.org/articles/uterus?lang=us) Accessed 3/8/2022.
• Roach MK, Andreotti RF. The Normal Female Pelvis. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28005593/) Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Mar;60(1):3-10. Accessed 3/8/2022.
• Siccardi MA, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Perineal Body. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537345/) [Updated 2021 Jul 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 3/8/2022.