What exactly is a tipped uterus?

Question

I was told by my doctor that i have it and that I could possibly only have a 50/50 chance at pregnancy.

Answer 1

The uterus is the hollow, pear shaped organ where a developing fetus will grow. The uterus is normally in a straight vertical position. Some women have a tipped or tilted uterus, in which the uterus is tipped backwards toward the back of the pelvis.

What causes a tipped uterus?
A tipped uterus may occur for several reasons including:

As a woman matures the uterus may not move into a forward position.
Childbirth can tip the uterus forward or backward. If the ligaments holding the uterus in place stretch, or lose their tension during pregnancy, the uterus can become tipped. In most cases, the uterus returns to a forward position after childbirth.
Scarring from adhesions as a result of endometriosis or fibroids can also cause the uterus to shift to a tilted or retroflexed state. Sometimes a uterine suspension is used in conjunction with treatments for endometriosis to prevent the formation of adhesions after surgery.
What are some symptoms of a tipped uterus?
Some women do not experience any symptoms. However, the primary symptoms of a tipped uterus are:

Pain during sexual intercourse or dyspareunia.
Pain during menstruation or dysmenorrhea.
Other symptoms may include:

Back pain during intercourse
Minor incontinence
Urinary tract infections
Fertility problems
Difficulty using tampons
How is a tipped uterus diagnosed?
Your physician can perform a simple physical exam to determine if you have a tipped uterus. This can be done during a routine pelvic exam. If you suspect that you have a tipped uterus, discuss it with your physician.

What other terms are used to describe a tipped uterus?
There are many alternate ways of referring to a tipped uterus. However, all of the terms mean that the uterus is tipped backwards toward the back of the pelvis.

Common terms include:

Retroflexed uterus
Tilted uterus
Backward uterus
Retroverted uterus
Tilted Womb
Medical professionals may use the following terms:

Uterine retroversion
Uterine retroflexion
Retroversion of the uterus
Symptomatic uterine retroversion
Symptomatic uterine reflexion
Uterine retrodisplacement
Reflexion of the uterus
What is the treatment for a tipped uterus?
If you have a tipped uterus and are experiencing symptoms, your physician may recommend surgery to reposition the uterus. A uterine suspension can typically reduce the pain experienced during intercourse and/or menstruation. This surgical procedure is used to reposition a tipped uterus from its backward facing position to a forward facing position. The UPLIFT procedure is a newer and improved method of performing a uterine suspension. It has been proven to have fewer postoperative complications than other uterine suspension procedures. Uterine repositioning provides lasting pain relief in most cases of painful sex and in some cases of painful menstruation.

A tipped uterus can also be repositioned by:

"Knee-chest": An exercise that may help reposition a tipped uterus temporarily. However, this exercise will not be effective if the uterus has become in a tipped position because of endometriosis, fibroid tumors, or pelvic infections.
Pessary: A plastic or silicone device that is placed in the vagina to reposition a tipped uterus. It is generally considered a temporary solution for pelvic pain because long term use can lead to vaginal infections.
Can a tipped uterus prevent pregnancy?
Typically a tipped uterus is only thought to be the cause of infertility after all other possible reasons for fertility problems have been ruled out. Your doctor might recommend a uterine suspension or UPLIFT procedure if there is no other explanation for your fertility problems. However, this is not common.

How can a tipped uterus affect my pregnancy?
Usually between the 10th -12th week of pregnancy, your uterus will no longer be tipped or "backwards." This should cause no difficulty for the pregnancy or for labor and birth. If the uterus does not move into a "middle" position, miscarriage can occur, but this is very rare.

Last Updated: 09/2003

Answer 2

A tipped uterus is the term used to describe a uterus that is tilted backwards away from the belly. The condition is also referred to as a retroverted uterus or tilted uterus. All three terms are interchangeable. The uterus is normally suspended in a straight up and down position or slightly forward toward the belly. A tipped uterus is usually something you are born with, but can be caused by labor while giving birth or by disease.

Answer 3

Here I got this of webmd.com . Don't worry!



The medical term for a tipped uterus is "retroverted" (tilted backward) or "anteverted" (tilted forward). Neither position really affects fertility.


Most women have a slightly anteverted uterus that is flexed toward the bladder; about one in four or five women have a retroverted uterus, tilted toward the spine. Neither uterine position would, in and of itself, interfere with fertility.


Some women may have a retroverted uterus associated with endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. In both cases, scar tissue could interfere with the normal movement of the egg through the fallopian tubes to the uterus, thus decreasing the chance of getting pregnant by preventing the egg from reaching the sperm.

Answer 4

I had a tipped uterus. I also had 2 children, although I had doctors tell me I never would. Pregnancy was painful, labor of course was painful and sexual intercourse was painful. I had my uterus removed and now life is great! My hubby agrees with me that it was the best thing I ever had done, LOL.

Answer 5

Ha! I was told that 15 years ago when I got pregnant, mine is as well.

Seven kids later I just laugh at those idiots. Just because they have a degree they think they know everything!

Seriously, pregnancy is just as easy, it takes exactly the same thing, sperm to the egg. It might be a little harder depending on the degree, but mine is like 40º. It might also cause more problems in late pregnancy with vericose veins because the tilt will decrease ligament support.
Good luck, and remember, If that's your only problem consider yourself fertile.

Answer 6

your doctor is full of crap. a tilted uterus is one the tips backward instead of forward. i have the same thing. it's genetic, which means you got it from someone in your family. ask you mom, she probably has the same thing. anyway, i have the same problem and i have managed to have one child and i have one on the way. not only that i have a really irregular period, so your doctor has no idea what they are talking about.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I've had three full term pregnancies. The only problem was I had to have c-sections every time.

Answer 9

DOn't know, but good question

Answer 10

HEY WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!