A condition in which the uterus slopes backwards away from its usual position.
A uterus that inclines downward and backward; also called a “tipped” uterus. This condition occurs in about 20 percent of women; in most cases, it causes no symptoms or problems and no treatment is required. A small percentage of women experience pain during sexual intercourse or menstruation. If symptoms are severe, surgery to adjust the position of the uterus may be recommended.
A benign alteration in the uterine position is observed, where the typical state involves a retroverted uterus during infancy, transitioning to a forward tilt after puberty; a retroverted uterus slants backward. Approximately 1 in 5 females possesses a retroverted uterus. Some instances arise when the uterus fails to transition forward during its natural maturation process. Others can be attributed to shifts in position following childbirth. Less frequently, retroversion is the outcome of conditions like tumors, scarring due to endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
A retroverted uterus seldom leads to complications. Yet, if it’s linked to an underlying condition, it could trigger symptoms like dysmenorrhea (painful periods), discomfort during intercourse, and difficulties in becoming pregnant. In rare cases, a retroverted uterus might not reposition itself out of the pelvis around the typical 12-week mark of pregnancy. This situation could result in urinary retention, necessitating catheterization.
The diagnosis of a retroverted uterus is typically made through a physical examination. If there’s a suspicion of an underlying condition, laparoscopy (a procedure involving the use of a viewing instrument to examine the abdominal cavity) might be conducted. Treatment for this condition is generally unnecessary unless the retroversion is causing noticeable symptoms. In such cases, the focus would be on addressing the underlying cause, and options like gently manipulating the uterus back into position or considering surgical repositioning could be explored.