Find out the ‘Causes of Bicornuate Uterus’ Your uterus will be heart-shaped if you have a bicornuate uterus. Abdominal pain and irregular menstrual bleeding are symptoms that some people experience, while others do not. If you don’t have an imaging test, you might not be aware that someone has a bicornuate uterus.
The shape of your uterus is heart-shaped if it is bicornuate. The part of a woman’s body that harbors a baby is the uterus. Because of how it genuinely appears to be a heart, this condition is occasionally called a “heart-shaped” womb.
If you get pregnant, the shape of your uterus matters because it has an impact on how the baby develops inside your womb. Unusual uterine irregularities are rare. A problem in the uterus’ size, shape, or structure affects about 3% of women from birth. One of the most frequent types of uterine abnormalities is a bicornuate uterus.
Continue reading to find out how a bicornuate uterus is identified by medical professionals and how it may affect your pregnancy.
Symptoms
Women with bicornuate uteri are born with them, but unless they have an ultrasound or other imaging exam, they might not be aware of it. That’s because it frequently doesn’t result in any obvious symptoms.
However, some women with a bicornuate uterus experience the following signs and symptoms:
- abdominal discomfort
- repeated miscarriages
- painful periods
- irregular vaginal bleeding
- pain during intercourse
Given that you have had a bicornuate uterus your entire life, any potential symptoms may seem commonplace to you.
Bicornuate uterus and pregnancy
Your fertility will probably not be impacted by a heart-shaped uterus. Studies have really revealed that a woman’s chances of getting pregnant are not decreased by having a bicornuate uterus. However, some earlier researchReliable Source shows that infertile women are more likely to experience this anomaly.
Your risk of miscarrying later in your pregnancy and having your baby early is increased by a bicornuate uterus. According to some researchersTrusted Source, these issues may be caused by erratic uterine contractions or a smaller uterus.
How many women deal with these issues varies depending on statistics. For instance, according to one study, between 1.8% to 37.6% of women with uterine abnormalities experience recurring miscarriages.
In addition, compared to children born to moms without the problem, those born to mothers with a bicornuate uterus have a higher risk of birth abnormalities. In fact, one study found that this risk was four times higher.
Your pregnancy will be handled as a high-risk pregnancy if you have a bicornuate uterus. Your pregnancy will be closely monitored by your doctor. They might conduct several ultrasounds to assess your baby’s positioning.
Before birth, your baby might settle into a breech position, which means its feet or bottom are facing down. You might need additional testing and are more likely to deliver by cesarean section.
Causes of Bicornuate Uterus
A congenital anomaly, or something a woman is born with, a bicornuate uterus is one. It occurs when a girl’s uterus fails to develop correctly when she is in the womb. The two upper halves of the uterus, known as the horns, separate as a result of special ducts that only partially fuse together. The womb resembles a heart when the horns are slightly protruding. Once you have this illness, there is nothing you can do to halt it.
Diagnosis of Bicornuate Uterus
The following examinations can be used by doctors to identify a bicornuate uterus:
The disease is typically discovered during an ultrasound that is done to examine your uterus during pregnancy or when you are having uncomfortable symptoms.
Many ladies are shocked to learn that they have uteri that resemble hearts. Some people will live their entire lives unaware of their disease.
Treatment
When a woman has a history of miscarriage, a surgery called a Strassman metroplasty can be utilized to treat a bicornuate uterus. According to one studyTrusted Source, 88 percent of women who underwent a Strassman metroplasty were able to have pregnancies that resulted in a healthy birth. However, the majority of women won’t need surgery to fix a bicornuate uterus.
The medical community has disagreements about using this treatment on infertile women who have bicornuate uteri. This is due to the fact that the majority of research points to the disease not having an impact on a woman’s ability to conceive.
Outlook
Most likely, having a bicornuate uterus won’t have an impact on your fertility. You could still be able to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery, but it could cause issues including miscarriage and early birth.
It’s crucial to surround yourself with a competent medical staff that will closely track your pregnancy. Do not be afraid to discuss any worries you may have with your doctor.
Some FAQs
What congenital disabilities can a bicornuate uterus cause?
According to a study, newborns born to moms with bicornuate uteruses were four times more likely to have congenital impairments than those born to mothers with normal uteruses. More closely related defects included omphalocele, teratomas, nasal hypoplasia, and limb deficits.
Can a bicornuate uterus be fixed?
If a woman is identified as having a bicornuate uterus while her pregnancy is still active, frequent prenatal screening is advised. If a non-pregnant woman is diagnosed, Strassman metroplasty may be used to surgically treat the issue. To lower the danger of bleeding and infections, a laparoscopic procedure is preferred.
What Are The Main Causes of Bicornuate Uterus?
A bicornuate uterus is a uterine deformity that develops when the Mullerian ducts’ ability to fuse is compromised. Although the bicornuate uterus is a rare defect, it is linked to poorer reproductive outcomes; the most frequent effects are recurrent pregnancy loss and preterm labor according to a trusted source.
Can You Get Pregnant With A Bicornuate Uterus?
The bicornuate uterus was originally believed to be linked to infertility, however, new studies do not support this notion. The majority of women with bicornuate uteri can get pregnant. However, there could be a significant risk for some unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, necessitating more monitoring.
