The uterus has many abnormal forms, such as bicornuate uterus, unicornuate uterus, T-shaped uterus, incomplete double uterus, double uterus with double vagina, but the most common is the uterus septum, with a high incidence rate in female infertility, which can be said to be a very typical case of uterine developmental abnormalities.
What is a uterine septum?
First, let’s talk about a normal uterus. The normal shape of the uterus should be pear-shaped, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. Before pregnancy, the size of the uterus is like a pear, and during pregnancy, it will expand to the size of a watermelon. The uterine septum refers to a form of uterine developmental abnormality where the septum in the middle of the uterus, due to developmental abnormalities and other factors, either does not completely disappear or does not disappear at all.
What are the symptoms of uterine septum?
1. Miscarriage
The probability of miscarriage in patients with a uterine septum is several times higher than in women with a normal uterus, and some may also experience recurrent miscarriages.
2. Infertility
The uterine septum can seriously affect the possibility of natural pregnancy in women.
3. Premature birth
Due to the abnormal shape of the uterus, the probability of premature birth in patients with a uterine septum is much higher than in women with a normal uterus.
4. Ectopic pregnancy
If the uterine septum is severe, it can prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the endometrium, leading to an ectopic pregnancy.
5. Abnormal discharge
If a woman has a uterine septum, she may often experience abnormal discharge, such as discharge with pus, blood, or meaty secretions, accompanied by a strong foul odor.
6. Menstrual abnormalities
This is a typical symptom of gynecological diseases, often characterized by longer menstrual periods and increased menstrual flow.
Why does a uterine septum lead to infertility?
The main reason is the change in uterine cavity shape. Embryos require sufficient space for growth and development. If the volume of the uterine cavity is insufficient, it can restrict the growth and development of the fetus, leading to risks such as fetal stoppage, mid-term premature birth, weak contractions during delivery, early placental abruption, etc. However, the effects of a uterine septum vary among individuals and do not necessarily result in infertility. To conceive, a specific examination of the type of uterine septum is required, whether it is a complete or incomplete septate uterus, the length, depth, thickness of the septum, whether it is associated with vaginal septum, and if the patient’s ovulation and fallopian tube conditions are normal.
If the uterine septum is very severe, the patient has almost no hope of natural pregnancy and can only rely on surgical treatment; if the severity of the uterine septum is moderate, the patient has a certain chance of natural pregnancy, but the risk of ectopic pregnancy will also increase accordingly; if the uterine septum is mild, the patient can conceive naturally, but there is also a possibility of the fertilized egg implanting on the septum accidentally.
Dandan Medical Warm Tips:
Before planning for pregnancy, women should ideally undergo a comprehensive pre-pregnancy examination. If a uterine septum is detected, timely treatment under the guidance of a doctor is necessary to intervene early for prompt recovery.
