Tipped Uterus-Causes, Symptoms And Treatments

Uterus is a pear-shaped organ present at the top of vagina where the babies develop and grow. In most of the women, the uterus is suspended in a straight up and down position or slightly forward towards the abdomen. But 20% of women can have a tipped uterus. A tipped uterus is one that is tipped backward towards the pelvis. Tipped uterus is also referred to as tilted uterus, retroflexed uterus or retroverted uterus.

Causes of Tipped Uterus

There are three main causes for the uterus to be tipped. They include:

• A tipped uterus may occur if the uterus doesn't move forward from the usual tilted position of childhood, as the women get matured.
• Giving birth to a child can also affect the position of uterus. It can be tipped forward or backward. If during the pregnancy, the ligaments that support the uterus in the proper position stretch, uterus can become stretched. But in most of the cases ligaments regains it elasticity and the uterus returns back to straight or forward position after childbirth.
• Another reason for a tipped uterus may be endometriosis or fibroids. Both of these conditions cause scarring which can affect the position of uterus. The uterus may become tipped.

Possible Symptoms of a Tipped Uterus

Most of the women with tipped uterus don't experience any symptoms, so many of them are not even aware that they have a tipped uterus. Some of the symptoms include:

• Pain during sex
• Back pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain during menstruation
• Mild incontinence
• Trouble using tampons
• Urinary tract infections
• Fertility problems

Diagnosis of Tipped Uterus

Diagnosis of tipped uterus can be done by performing a simple pelvic exam. Pelvic exam helps to determine the exact position of uterus.

Treatments for Tipped Uterus

It's not necessary to have any treatment for tipped uterus unless you have some problems associated with it like fertility problems or leaking urine problems. There are two surgical treatments available for repositioning the uterus.

• Uterine Suspension Procedure: This is a simple surgical procedure that involves repositioning of a tipped uterus from its backward facing position to forward facing position. This procedure helps to reduce the pain experienced during sexual intercourse or menstruation.
• Uplift Procedure: This is similar to uterine suspension procedure but is much more improved compared to it. It has few postoperative complications in comparison with other uterine suspension procedures.

There are also some other techniques that are used for repositioning a tipped uterus. Some of them include:

• Knee-chest: Knee-chest is an exercise, which may help to reposition a tipped uterus. This exercise is temporary and will not work if the uterus has become tipped due to endometriosis or fibroids.
• Pessary: In this method a plastic or silicon object is inserted in the vagina for repositioning the tipped uterus. This is also a temporary solution as its long-term use can cause vaginal infections.

In the cases where a tipped uterus is caused due to some disease, your surgeon may ask you to have a laparoscopy.

In general, a tipped uterus doesn't cause any problem. But sometimes it may cause problems related with fertility and pregnancy. You may face problems in becoming pregnant. During pregnancy, uterus is most likely to tip forward naturally. In such cases there is a normal delivery. And after the delivery the uterus reverts back to its original position. If the uterus doesn't move forward into the correct position by the end of 12 weeks, miscarriage can occur. But this happens in rare cases.