A tilted uterus (also called a tipped uterus or retroverted uterus) is when the uterus is slightly tilted backwards. Normally, the uterus is straight and vertical to the pelvis or tipped slightly forward. In some cases, a tilted uterus can make conception more difficult and it may take longer to get pregnant.
Actually, the condition is not uncommon. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about one in five women have a tilted uterus. Not all women with a tilted uterus will experience difficulty when trying to conceive. In fact, many will get pregnant with no trouble and may not have any idea the uterus is tilted.
There are several theories about the origin of the tilted uterus. Many experts believe most women with a tilted uterus are born that way. Some theories suggest that conditions such as endometriosis or a past birth may contribute to a tilted uterus. The condition is diagnosed by physical exam, usually during a routine gynecological visit.
In most cases, there is no treatment done for a tilted uterus. Most of the time, the woman experiences no symptoms and isn’t aware of it until a doctor mentions it during a routine exam. However, if there are other symptoms, such as pain during intercourse or heavy periods, surgery may be considered to move the uterus into the correct position. This is generally only done when there are physical symptoms and not for infertility purposes.
For most women, the tilted uterus has no affect on the ability to get pregnant. Although a tilted uterus can make it take a little longer to conceive, in most cases the couple will eventually conceive. Your doctor may have some suggestions about positioning to help encourage conception. If there are problems with infertility, it is often caused by another problem, like endometriosis.
Once a woman gets pregnant, the condition resolves on its own. As the baby grows in the first trimester, the uterus will move into the correct position.
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