Having a retroverted uterus may sound scary, but it’s actually pretty common. In this blog, we discuss what a retroverted uterus is and whether or not it affects your chances of getting pregnant.
As the term retroversion suggests, a retroverted uterus, or “tilted uterus,” is a uterus that leans or tilts back toward the spine. A retroverted uterus is a common anatomical variation — approximately one in five women have one.
Having a retroverted uterus does NOT increase a woman’s risk for infertility, endometriosis, or pelvic pain.
One extremely rare complication of having a retroverted uterus is “uterine incarceration.” This is when a pregnant woman’s growing uterus gets stuck under the sacrum causing pain and trouble urinating. This is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in 3000 to 1 in 10,000 pregnancies. Your obstetrician can correct this complication.
The uterus can be positioned in one of two ways:
Retroverted Uterus & Fertility
A retroverted uterus does not affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. It does not impact the ability of the sperm to reach the egg and it doesn’t cause infertility.
The position of the uterus has nothing to do with a woman’s fertility. That said, if another underlying condition causes the retroverted uterus, it may be harder to get pregnant.
Conditions associated with a retroverted uterus include:
All of the above conditions are associated with an increased risk of having a retroverted uterus. However, not all women with endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or a history of PID have a retroverted uterus. The conditions themselves (not their association with uterine position) can cause difficulty conceiving.
What if I have a tipped uterus and infertility?
Tipped uterus or not, anyone struggling with infertility (not being able to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex) should contact a healthcare professional or fertility specialist. They’ll be able to determine whether or not an underlying condition is causing fertility issues and provide appropriate treatment.
Yes, it is possible to get pregnant with a retroverted uterus! A retroverted uterus alone will not affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant.
Remember, the goal of the sperm is to reach the uterus and the fallopian tubes. Accomplishing this act depends on the quality of the sperm and cervical and tubal integrity (in addition to other factors like timing and ovulation).
So, if the male partner’s sperm count is good and there are no other issues present (low motility, undescended testicles, etc.), and if the female partner’s cervix is healthy and her fallopian tubes are unobstructed, then pregnancy is possible regardless of the position of the uterus.
How to get pregnant fast with a retroverted uterus
While there is no guaranteed way to get pregnant, there are a few things a woman with a retroverted uterus can do to increase her chances, including:
For most women, having a retroverted uterus isn’t a cause for concern. However, in some cases, it may result from a pelvic infection, endometriosis, or fibroids. Individuals who are experiencing concerning symptoms, such as painful intercourse, abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, or difficulty using tampons, should schedule an appointment with their OB-GYN to discuss their concerns.
Approximately 1 in 5 women are born with a retroverted uterus. Others may develop a retroverted uterus later in life.
Possible causes of a retroverted uterus include:
What are the symptoms of a retroverted uterus?
Having a retroverted uterus does not cause any physical symptoms. However, if a woman suffers from another condition (such as endometriosis or PID) that has pushed her uterus into a retroverted position, these conditions themselves may cause symptoms such as pelvic pain and painful intercourse.
Are there any health risks from having a retroverted uterus?
During pregnancy, the uterus should expand and straighten toward the end of the first trimester (between weeks 10 and 12). This shift should lift the uterus out of the pelvis and reposition it, so it is no longer retroverted. Sometimes, however, the uterus cannot make this shift (this could be due to scar tissue or adhesions keeping the uterus in place). If the uterus cannot reposition itself during pregnancy, it can cause a condition called uterine incarceration.
Uterine incarceration, a rare condition in which the uterus becomes trapped in the pelvis, is a serious and potentially devastating complication of pregnancy if it’s not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Pregnant women experiencing one or more symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.
Approximately one in 3,000 to one in 10,000 pregnancies are affected by uterine incarceration.
Women with a retroverted uterus do not require any treatment or special management.
How is a retroverted uterus diagnosed?
A healthcare professional can diagnose a retroverted uterus during a pelvic exam or during an ultrasound.
So, my tipped uterus is really OK?
In most cases, yes. A retroverted or tilted uterus is a normal variation of the uterus that doesn’t usually cause any problems or require treatment.
Individuals experiencing one or more of the following symptoms should notify their doctor immediately to rule out any serious medical conditions:
A Word From RMA Network
Although there is no way to prevent a retroverted uterus, scheduling and keeping regular appointments with your OB-GYN is one way to stay on top of your reproductive health and ensure that any potential issues are caught and treated early.
Additionally, if you’re a woman younger than 35 years old and have been trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for one year, or a woman 35 or older and have been trying for six months, you should see a fertility doctor.
BELLEVUE, WA – March 13, 2024 – Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA), one of the nation's…
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