Retroverted (Tilted,Tipped) Uterus – Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Pictures

Has getting intimate with your partner become a nightmare for you? It is not abnormal to suffer from pain during intercourse if you are having a Retroverted uterus. Read and know all about the various causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for this condition.

What is Retroverted Uterus?

It is a health complication characterized by a backward tilting of the uterus. This is the opposite of an “Anteverted Uterus” where the uterus is tilted forward in the direction of the bladder. In this condition, the uterus is tilted towards the spine instead of the bladder.

The condition is also known by various other names like:

• Tilted Uterus
• Tipped Uterus
• Retroflexed uterus
• Uterine retrodisplacement
• Uterine retroversion
• Malposition of the uterus

Retroverted Uterus Incidence

One out of every three or five women in the United States is said to suffer from a tipped uterus. The condition affects about 20% of women of the world every year.

Retroverted Uterus Symptoms

Generally, Uterine retroversion does not give rise to any symptoms. But symptoms may arise in rare cases. Some of the common problems experienced by women with a retroflexed Uterus include:

Pelvic Pain

A tilted uterus resulting from an enlarged tumor or pregnancy can give rise to discomfort and even pain in the pelvic region.

Dyspareunia

Intercourse can be quiet painful for women with tipped uterus. Pain commonly arises in the back area of the sufferers.

Incontinence

Patients may suffer from an inability to hold back their urine or stools. Occasionally, they might experience pain experienced during urination or defecation.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

In some people, this problem can result in Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Dysmenorrhea

Women with this syndrome can also occasionally suffer from pain during menstruation.

Back Pain

Back pain is also very common in sufferers of this uterine problem.

Bowel Problems

In individuals with this problem, painful bowel movements can occur in a few cases. This normally happens if the uterus lies against the rectum. In such a position, the stool coming from the rectum scrapes against the uterus and causes much pain.

Retroverted Uterus Causes

Some of the common causes of this uterine problem are:

Endometriosis

This condition involves positioning of endometrial tissue outside the uterus instead of being within it. In women with tipped uterus, Endometriosis leads to painful menstruation.

Pregnancy

In pregnant women, the ligaments holding the uterus in proper position can get permanently stretched. This is one of the major causes of Tilted Uterus.

Pelvic inflammatory Disease

A bacterial infection in the fallopian tubes, ovaries or uterus lining can result in a swelling in the pelvis region. This may give rise to a Uterine retroversion. Pelvis infection can commonly arise from intercourse.

Defective Uterus

Changes in the uterus during development in childhood may also make it tilted.

Uterine Fibroids

The development of Uterine Fibroids or benign tumors in the uterus may also be a reason behind this disorder. In rare cases of Retroverted Uterus fibroids can become cancerous and become hazardous to health.

Weakening of Ligaments

During menopause, the ligaments become weak and become unsuitable to hold the uterus in proper position. Weakness of ligament also causes Retroverted Uterus.

Retroverted Uterus and Pregnancy

Women commonly suffer from a tilted Uterus during pregnancy. Contrary to widespread belief about the disorder, pregnancy is not threatened by the condition. In rare cases, however, miscarriages may occur. Stillbirths usually happen in such patients during the early stages of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. However, it is difficult to pinpoint Uterine Retroversion as the only cause for such miscarriages.

Once a baby develops, the uterus is found to come back to its original position. All cases of tilted uterus usually resolve immediately after this.

In pregnant women suffering from this uterine problem, infertility is usually rare. The uterus usually sets itself right during the 10th or 12th week of pregnancy. If that does not happen, it becomes a case of persistent Retroverted Uterus.

Conceiving with a tipped uterus is usually not difficult. Many women have a normal delivery despite this condition. In a few cases, however, conception may be painful.

Retroverted Uterus Diagnosis

The condition is usually diagnosed with the aid of a routine examination of the pelvis. A pelvic examination sows the position of the pelvis inside the body. If any backward tilt in position is detected, Uterine Reversion can be diagnosed.

The patient is also asked if she is having persistent lower back pain, pain during menstruation or pain during intercourse. In many women with Retroflexed Uterus, ultrasound tests are conducted to find out the cause of pelvic pain. The process helps in immediate detection of a tipped uterus.

A tipped uterus can be occasionally mistaken as a swelling fibroid tumor or a pelvic mass. A Rectovaginal test is conducted in such cases to make sure that the condition is a Uterine retroversion.

Retroverted Uterus Treatment

This medical condition usually does not need any treatment. This is a very health problem and in the absence of any symptom, it generally does not require any medical attention. But treatment becomes necessary in rare cases where Uterine Reversion involves an infection.

In complicated situations, a surgery is needed to correct the tipped uterus. Two main methods, used for correcting the condition, are:

Uterine Suspension

Uterine Suspension draws the uterus from the back to the midline. It involves two surgical processes, Laparotomy and Laparoscopy.

Uplift process

It is similar to Uterine Suspension, the only difference being the fact that it involves the use of a Laparoscope. The process is very easy and takes roughly about 10 minutes to complete. It saves a lot of pain and shortens the time for recovery. This is easier and more time-saving than Uterine Suspension.

Retroverted Uterus Complications

Malposition of the uterus may arise due to complicated conditions like Salpingitis, Endometriosis or increasing pressure from an enlarging tumor. If not treated in time, these conditions can give rise to more severe health situations. Even in the absence of complications, a tipped uterus can cause pain and discomfort in a sufferer.

Retroverted Uterus Pictures

These are some images that will help you know about the appearance of the condition. Get a pictorial idea of this uterine syndrome with the aid of these diagrams.

Picture 1 – Retroverted uterus

Picture 2 – Retroverted uterus Image

Anyone diagnosed with a Retroverted Uterus during pregnancy should seek help from an experienced Obstetrician (physician specializing in childbirth and prenatal mother care). An expert medical professional should be consulted to get effective help and treatment for the condition. Timely medical attention can help prevent all possible problems and enjoy good health.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroverted_uterus

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-tilted-uterus.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001506.htm

http://www.womens-health.co.uk/retrover.asp