An anteverted uterus is a reproductive organ and describes the position of the uterus within a person’s pelvis. When you have an anteverted uterus, it bends forward toward your abdomen. It’s a typical position for the uterus and doesn’t cause any health concerns.
Overview
The uterus is the reproductive organ that plays a key role during menstruation and holds a baby during pregnancy. It is also called the womb. The uterus is a pear-shaped organ in a woman’s lower abdomen in which fetuses grow. It is connected to the ovaries, which produce eggs. When a woman ovulates, an egg travels down toward the uterus via the fallopian tubes. The uterus is attached to the walls of the pelvis by flexible ligaments that allow it to tilt forward and backward.
Anteverted uterus Frequency
An anteverted uterus is common in 75 percent of women. It means that the uterus is tipped forward toward the bladder. How far forward the uterus tips varies between individuals. Like other parts of your body, your uterus can come in many different shapes and sizes. An anteverted uterus shouldn’t affect your health, and you might not even know your uterus is shaped this way.
Typical size of uterus
An anteverted uterus about the size of your fist. The average uterus measures 3 to 4 inches high and 2.5 inches wide, but the size of your uterus and its position within your pelvis isn’t directly related.
Symptoms
Most of the time, you won’t notice any symptoms of an antevrted uterus. Sometimes, the anteverted uterus may cause pain during intercourse or menstrual periods. You might feel pressure or pain in your pelvis. If you experience these symptoms tell your doctor.
Is the anteverted uterus good or bad?
An anteverted uterus is not natively good or bad. It is a normal altering of the female reproductive anatomy and doesn’t usually cause any health problems. An anteverted uterus won’t affect your sex life. You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort during sex. But if you do, tell your doctor.
Does an anteverted uterus affect fertility and pregnancy?
Infertility affects about 1 in every 6 couples in the United States. The cause of infertility can be a problem with the male or female reproductive system, or both.
Here are some health conditions that may contribute to problems with fertility:
PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Uterine fibroids
Asherman’s syndrome
A previous infection
Scar tissue or adhesions
Causes
An anteverted uterus is a natural genetic variation, much like the eye or hair color. The causes of an anteverted uterus can be genetic, or they can be related to conditions such as endometriosis. The position of the uterus is determined by the ligaments that support it. If these ligaments are weak or damaged, the uterus may tilt forward. Other factors that can cause an anteverted uterus include pregnancy, pelvis surgeries, or tumors in the pelvic area.
A retroverted womb can, however, sometimes cause issues during pregnancy. Symptoms may include:
Lower abdominal and pelvic pain
Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation
Diagnosis
Generally, healthcare providers can diagnose an anteverted uterus with a simple pelvic exam. During the exam, your doctor will look and feel your reproductive organs, including your vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Also, providers can establish the exact position of your uterus with a transvaginal ultrasound.
Treatment
You won’t need treatment for an anteverted uterus. There aren’t any medicines or procedures designed to correct this condition. You should be able to live a normal, pain-free life if you have an antiverted uterus. If your uterus is retroverted you might need surgery to fix it.
Prevention
There is nothing you can do to prevent an anteverted uterus, but you can prevent health complications of your uterus. Some things you can do are:
Get routine pelvic exams and pap tests.
Wear condoms and limit your sexual partners to help reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Talk to your healthcare provider about any changes in menstruation, including the amount of bleeding and length of periods.
Discuss any discomfort or pain in your pelvic region, abdomen, and lower back with your healthcare provider.
Outlook
An anteverted uterus simply means the uterus is tilted forward. It is normal and is not considered to be a health condition. The majority of women have an antiverted uterus. It does not have any impact on a person’s sex life, menstrual cycle, or fertility.
