Tipped Uterus

A tipped uterus is a common condition that occurs in about 20% of women. In this discussion you will learn what a tipped uterus is and what may cause it.

What is a tipped uterus?

The uterus is the muscular organ at the top of the vagina. It is sometimes called the womb. Babies develop in the uterus, and menstrual blood comes from the uterus. In most women, the uterus hangs in a straight up and down position or is slightly bent forward or backwards. A tipped uterus is one that is tilted backwards away from the front of the body. Other names used for this condition are retroverted uterus or malposition of the uterus.

How does it occur?

You may have a tipped uterus because:

• Your uterus did not move forward from the usual retroverted position of infancy as you matured.
• The position of your uterus changed after you gave birth to a child.
• You have had fibroid tumors or scarring from endometriosis, surgery, or an infection in the pelvis.

What are the symptoms?

Most women have no symptoms at all. Some women have pain during sex. Other possible symptoms are trouble using tampons, problems urinating, and back pain, especially during a menstrual period. A tipped uterus is probably not a major cause of trouble getting pregnant.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will be able to feel the backward position of your uterus when you have a pelvic exam. This may need to be confirmed by an ultrasound exam.

How is it treated?

It is usually not necessary to have any treatment for a tipped uterus unless it is causing problems. For example, you may be having trouble getting pregnant or problems with leaking urine. Or it may be causing pain during sex or chronic back pain. A very simple surgery called uplift or uterine suspension can be done to relieve symptoms.

If any of the conditions that lead to a tipped uterus is suspected, such as fibroid tumors, scarring from endometriosis, previous surgery, or previous infection in the pelvis, your healthcare provider may advise you to have a laparoscopy. This is a procedure in which your provider inserts a small scope through a small cut into your abdomen to look at your internal organs. During the procedure, your healthcare provider may be able to treat the cause of the tipped uterus.

Often pain caused by a tipped uterus can be treated with use of a vaginal pessary. A pessary is a device inserted into the vagina to help support the vaginal walls and pelvic organs. It can help put the uterus in the correct position,

How long will the effects of tipped uterus last?

Your uterus will probably remain tipped backward and cause no problems. If necessary, it can be corrected with surgery.

If you become pregnant, your uterus will probably tip forward naturally and you will have a normal delivery. Often the uterus reverts back to its previous position after your delivery. Rarely, a very severely tipped uterus can become stuck in the pelvis as the pregnancy grows. This can cause pain, difficulty urinating, and even loss of the pregnancy.