What are uterine malformations?
During fetal development, the uterus is formed from two small tubes, called Müllerian ducts, which join together to form a single larger organ: the uterus. However, sometimes these tubes do not join in the center of the pelvis or do so irregularly, and that is when we speak of uterine malformations. The most frequent are:
- Unicornuate uterus: only one side of the Mullerian ducts is formed.
- Double uterus: the ducts develop but do not fuse, so the patient has a double vagina.
- Bicornuate uterus: the upper part of the uterus is bifurcated.
- Septate uterus: this is the most frequent uterine malformation, in which the uterus is partially or completely divided by a muscular wall.
- Mullerian Hypoplasia: also known as agenesis syndrome, is the absence of a uterus due to the failure of the Müllerian ducts to form.
Prognosis of the disease
Uterine malformations can have a significant impact on a woman’s fertility and are a cause of repeated miscarriages. The consequences on fertility will depend on the type of malformation present in each woman.
Uterine malformations can affect fertility and cause repeated miscarriages.
Symptoms of uterine malformations
In some cases these malformations have no symptoms, so that women are diagnosed during routine gynecological check-ups or some become mothers without knowing that they have a uterine malformation.
In other cases, the most frequent symptoms of uterine malformations are:
- Pain before or during menstruation
- Irregular blood loss outside of menstruation.
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Repeated miscarriages
- Premature births
- Abnormalities or malformations in infants
Medical tests for uterine malformations
There are currently several techniques for viewing the uterus to detect abnormalities, such as ultrasound, hysteroscopy, hysterosonography, magnetic resonance imaging or even laparoscopy.
What are the causes of uterine malformations?
Uterine malformations occur during gestation, and the main factors are genetic cause or prenatal environmental factors, especially the mother’s exposure to radiation, intrauterine infection in pregnancy or contact with toxins.
Treatments for uterine malformations
A uterine malformation that does not cause symptoms does not usually require treatment, but there is the possibility of surgery for uterine malformations to reduce an obstruction in the uterus, eliminate a vaginal canal or reunite two uterine cavities into one, for example, and is performed by endoscopic surgery or open abdominal surgery.
On the other hand, many women with uterine malformations resort to assisted reproduction techniques to improve their fertility and be able to have children. The most common technique in these cases is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Which specialist treats them?
The specialist in charge of detecting and treating uterine malformations is the gynecologist and obstetrician, who usually detects these anomalies in the periodic check-ups that should be performed after the first menstruation.