Does a small uterus affect fertility?

This is an automatically translated article.

Most women don't realize they have a small uterus until they're pregnant, and prenatal exams and ultrasounds help doctors recognize this condition. Many people when they hear the diagnosis of a small uterus, they are very afraid because they think that a small uterus is a type of uterine anomaly that makes it difficult to conceive and give birth.

1. What is a small uterus?

The uterus is a hollow organ shaped like an upside down pear, located between the pelvis, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum, divided into 4 parts: fundus, uterine body, isthmus and uterus. Cervical.
The uterus begins to form from the 5th week of pregnancy and develops gradually over time, but this growth is very slow. By the time girls enter puberty (about 13-14 years old), the uterus begins to grow rapidly and achieve normal physiological parameters. The process of uterine formation is very long and is affected by many factors. Therefore, the abnormal growth of the uterus can occur at different stages and the abnormalities are also quite diverse such as: double uterus, bicornuate uterus, small uterus...
Size of the uterus The uterus is different in all women. However, there is still a level of size that has been called a specific norm that is observed in the majority of women. The average uterus is at least 3.8cm long, 3.7cm wide and 2.7cm thick. A small uterus is a uterus that is underdeveloped in volume. If the size of your uterus does not correspond to your age and is smaller than the minimum size mentioned above, it is considered a small uterus.

2. What causes a small uterus?

Small uterus is an abnormality in the structure of the uterus that causes this phenomenon usually due to some of the following factors:
Congenital: Incomplete development of the uterus in size already present during the embryonic period, causing the baby girl to have a small uterus from birth. Genetics: If your mother or sister had a small uterus, it also makes you more likely to develop this syndrome when you grow up. Endocrine abnormalities: The pituitary gland before or during puberty produces too much prolactin, which affects the development of the uterus. In addition, tumors located in the pituitary gland also affect and disrupt hormones, increasing the risk of changes in the size of the uterus. In addition, some women have been exposed to a toxic environment, have infectious diseases, chronic infections, have had their ovaries removed, have had mumps, rubella, special drugs for neurotherapy, Excessive physical activity, improper nutrition, ... all have the potential to cause small uterus problems.

3. Effect of small uterus on fertility

Obstetricians and gynecologists divide the degree of small uterine malformation into 3 levels and depending on each level, evaluate fertility, predict pregnancy complications that you may encounter or offer supportive methods. suitable reproductive aid.
Grade 1: The uterus is no more than 3cm long and the cervix is ​​about 1/2 the length of the uterus. This is the most severe form of uterine underdevelopment but is very rare. Obstetricians refer to this type of uterus as the rudimentary or embryonic uterus. This is the main reason why you don't get your period, can't conceive and get pregnant. The good news is that if your ovaries are functioning normally and your husband's sperm is not abnormal, you can still become a mother by having a surrogate. Currently, the law of our country has allowed the practice of surrogacy for humanitarian purposes. Grade 2: The size of the uterus is larger than that of the rudimentary uterus, but the ratio of the uterine body to the cervix is ​​not different from that of grade 1. If you have a uterus of this degree, you will have accompanying features such as a small girl's vulva (pediatric vulva), sparse pubic hair. In addition, you may not have a period or have very little, irregular periods and you often have severe abdominal pain during menstruation, pain during intercourse. If you have a 2nd degree small uterus, you can have long-term treatment with hormones and metabolic disorders that can help you restore fertility. Level 3: The uterus is about 7-8cm long, the ratio between the cervix and the uterus is 3:1, corresponding to the anatomical index of the uterus. If your uterus is diagnosed at this level, your uterus is just underdeveloped. Your doctor will accurately assess the extent of your uterine underdevelopment and find the cause to have an active treatment. Your ability to get pregnant and give birth may be completely normal. However, during pregnancy, you must strictly follow the instructions of the obstetrician-gynecologist to minimize the risk of miscarriage and premature birth to ensure the health of both mother and baby. The diagnosis of a small uterus makes many women worried because they think this is a uterine malformation, making it difficult to get pregnant. However, depending on the degree of deformity, a woman with a small uterus still has the same chance of pregnancy and childbirth as any other normal woman.

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