Bicornuate uterus or bicornuate uterus is the name of a congenital malformation that can affect a woman. In this case, instead of the uterus being pear-shaped, the organ has a heart-like appearance, with a slit at the top. This division is caused by a membrane that develops in the uterus.
The cleft that divides the uterus in two does not always have the same dimensions. Some women may have a deeper, steeper, or less apparent cleft. Despite this, just because they present the membrane inside the uterus, they are already diagnosed with bicornuate uterus.
To understand every detail about the bicornuate uterus, check out all the information below! Understand what kind of health problem it can cause, how it can be identified and if there is a treatment for this very different anatomy of the pear-shaped uterus.
Causes of bicornuate uterus
The causes for bicornuate uterus are not exact. It starts to form when the child is still in the mother's womb, so it is believed to be caused by genetic factors. This does not mean that a woman who has a bicornuate uterus will only have daughters with the same condition. As stated earlier, the causes are not exact and it is not possible to predict whether a woman will have a bicornuate uterus.
Bicornuate uterus symptoms
In general, the bicornuate uterus does not cause changes in the functioning of the female body. A person can go their whole life without knowing they have this condition, because the most discomfort they can feel are pains during ovulation or during sexual intercourse.
The only way to identify if you have a bicornuate uterus is with an ultrasound. This exam allows your uterus to be seen from the outside, knowing what its shape is. In some cases, a transvaginal examination is also indicated, to check the volume of the uterus.
Other tests that can be performed to identify the bicornuate uterus are magnetic resonance imaging, hysterosalpingography and pelvic examination, performed in the office, based on observation and touch of the woman's reproductive organs.
If you are experiencing pain around ovulation or during sexual intercourse, seek medical attention. You may not have a bicornuate uterus, but it is important to check what is causing these discomforts.
Difficulties caused by bicornuate uterus
One of the consequences of the bicornuate uterus is that it reduces the volume of the uterus, that is, there is less space inside it. By now, you might be wondering how this would affect a woman's pregnancy, who needs all the space in her uterus to bear a child.
The bicornuate uterus is not an impediment for a woman to get pregnant, but there are some problems it can cause in pregnancy. The first of these is the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Also, as uterine contractions are irregular and there is less space for the child, the development of the fetus can be compromised.
It is estimated that women who have a bicornuate uterus are four times more likely to have a malformed child. Thus, this pregnancy is considered risky, and the most suitable delivery for these cases is cesarean section. With medical supervision, it is possible for a woman with a bicornuate uterus to become pregnant and give birth without complications.
Bicornuate uterus treatment
If the bicornuate uterus is not showing symptoms for the woman or if she has no desire to become pregnant, there is no need to treat it. In other cases, if a woman is uncomfortable with this condition or if she is unable to maintain a pregnancy because of it, a laparoscopy can be performed.
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Laparoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a tool, called a laparoscope, through the vaginal canal, accessing the uterus. When identifying the membrane that is dividing the organ, just make a small cut for the uterus to acquire a new appearance, more like a pear.
It is important that you always seek medical advice when experiencing any type of discomfort, even if you do not feel like getting pregnant. The bicornuate uterus can cause uncomfortable pain, which impairs your quality of life. Take care of your health and get to know every part of your body!
