Most people have heard of a tilted uterus. But what exactly is it?
According to WebMD, a tilted uterus describes the angle of the body of the uterus. In approximately 60 percent of women, the uterine body angles forward in the direction of the abdomen in what is called an "anteflexed" or forward position. For the remaining 40 percent, the uterine body curves backward toward the tailbone and rectum in a "retroflexed" or tilted position.
Regardless of the terms “anteflexed” or “retroflexed,” both positions are considered normal.
There are several reasons why a uterus can tilt. Sexual intercourse isn’t one of them. The American Pregnancy Association listed the following: As a woman matures, the uterus may not move into a forward position. Childbirth can tip the uterus forward or backward. Or if the ligaments holding the uterus in place stretch, or lose their tension during pregnancy, the uterus can become tipped. Scarring from endometriosis or fibroids can also cause the uterus to shift to a retroflexed state.
PubMed Health also said weakening pelvic ligaments associated with menopause or the enlargement of the uterus from a tumor may cause a tilted uterus.
A tilted uterus rarely causes any symptoms. When it does, they include pain during menstruation or sexual intercourse, and possible tampon difficulty, minor incontinence, or urinary tract infections.
Treatment usually isn’t needed. However sometimes surgery is recommended to reposition the uterus in order to relieve any pain. Uterine repositioning can also be achieved through exercise or by use of a pessary.
Typically the biggest question tied to a tilted uterus is whether or not it affects fertility.
According to Mary Gallenberg, M.D. in a MayoClinic.com article, “It shouldn't interfere with (the) ability to conceive. In the past, it was thought that a tilted uterus may contribute to infertility. But experts now know that the position of the uterus doesn't affect the ability of sperm to reach an egg. Rarely, a sharply tilted uterus may be due to a disease such as endometriosis. In this case, endometriosis — not the position of the uterus — may be a cause of infertility.
WebMD went on to say that when a woman with a tilted uterus becomes pregnant, her uterus moves forward naturally, and by the fourteenth week of pregnancy all uteruses are anteflexed. Delivery is completely unrelated to the angle of the uterus. Occasionally a woman with a tilted uterus will feel more rectal pressure during the earliest weeks of pregnancy. But there is no added risk of miscarriage or bleeding related to uterine retroflexion.
Sources:
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2313.html
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/womenshealth/tippeduterus.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002475/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tilted-uterus/AN00461
http://www.everydayhealth.com/specialists/woman/etingin/qa/what-does-tilted-uterus-mean/index.aspx
http://women.webmd.com/tilted-uterus-no-worries
Reviewed June 7, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton