tilted uterus - when would you find out/how?

Question

Is that something doc's routinely check for during a yearly physical/pap?
Or is this something that is not diagnosed till later? Like only after a miscarriage or pain?
The doc would tell you immediately, right?

Answer 1

the Dr. can tell if you have a tilted uterus just by doing a pelvic exam and it is not something they look for because if your pelvic is tilted it is obvious. if your do have a tilted uterus they do tell you as soon as it is seen. the only time a tilted uterus can cause a problem is if your going to have a vaginal birth, but that depends on how tilted the uterus is. My uterus is tilted (just a little) and had two regular vaginal births.

CNA II

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

A retroverted uterus is a uterus that is tilted backwards instead of forwards. Most women have a slightly anteverted uterus that is tipped forward toward the bladder. Some women have a vertical uterus where the fundus (top of the uterus) is straight up. One in three to five women has a retroverted uterus, which is tipped backwards towards the spine. A retroverted uterus is commonly referred to as a tilted uterus or a tipped uterus and is also medically referred to as a retroflexed uterus.

A retroverted uterus is usually diagnosed during a routine pelvic examination. It usually does not pose any medical problems, though it can be associated with dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) and dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation).

Uterine position has no effect on fertility. A tipped uterus will usually right itself during the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy. If a uterus does not right itself, it may be labeled persistent. "Persistent retroflexion of the pregnant uterus is incompatible with advanced pregnancy. If spontaneous or artificial reposistion does not occur, the patient either aborts or develops symptoms caused by incarceration of the uterus before the end of the fourth month. In exceptional instances, however, pregnancy may proceed, resulting in uterine sacculation. Spontaneous delivery is impossible, and rupture of the uterus may occur." (Gant NF. Cunningham FG. Basic Gynecology and Obstetrics, 1995, p 375 - chapter 48)

Anteverted uteruses are more common, accounting for about 2/3 of all tilted uteruses in women. A retroverted uterus is a normal variation, similar to being left-handed instead of right-handed. Sexual intercourse cannot shift the position of a woman's uterus. Pregnancy, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fibroids, surgery, and aging, however, can change the angle of the uterus.

Some women who have a retroverted uterus can feel discomfort during sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration at times, because of pressure on the rectum and ligaments of the tailbone. For these women, they may find that some sexual positions and/or degree of thrusting are more comfortable than others. If penetration is persistently painful and/or a woman's periods are causing severe pain, she needs to see a gynecologist or women's health care nurse practitioner.

Endometriosis and PID can be associated with a retroverted uterus, but not all women with a retroverted uterus will develop Endo.

Some people worry that having a retroverted uterus could cause problems with fertility. Fortunately, infertility is not connected with retroversion of the uterus. If endometriosis or PID is associated with a woman's uterus being retroverted, however, successful conception could be more difficult. These conditions cause scar tissue to develop, hindering the egg and sperm from meeting for fertilization to occur.

Answer 4

Next time you get a Pap just ask. The doctors always comment on the fact that mines tilted backwards, so I don't know why yours wouldn't tell you. Probably because I've always been told that it's nothing to worry about. But talk to your doctor s/he will be able to answer any questions you have about it.

Answer 5

Actually, a doc can figure this out during a pelvic exam. But for some reason, they don't seem to mention it! I have one, and didn't know until I'd been having exams for about 10 years. So you might just want to ask the next time you're in for a physical, just for fun. :)

Answer 6

Well depends on which direction It comes out of... like if you sleep face down and it comes down that way then it might be tilted to the back... unlike my case... i cant sleep head facing the ceiling cause it flows backwards... might wanna ask your gyn.