What is a double uterus?

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A double uterus is an abnormality of the uterus. Normally, it is difficult to detect because there are no symptoms, but during pregnancy with a twin uterus, it reduces the possibility of natural pregnancy, greatly affecting the health of the pregnancy. Even having a double uterus increases the risk of dangerous obstetric complications for both mother and baby.

1. What is a double uterus?

The uterus is an indispensable part for women, especially during pregnancy, the uterus is the place to nurture the fetus. Therefore, abnormalities occurring in the uterus will cause significant effects on the fetus. And among the abnormalities in the uterus, a double uterus is an abnormality that can make it difficult for women to get pregnant or experience some dangerous complications during pregnancy.
The uterus (womb) is a female reproductive organ, a hollow, pear-shaped internal organ upside down. A double uterus (double uterus) is a rare congenital abnormality that is typical of abnormalities in the uterus (uterine malformation).
A double uterus is a uterus with two separate uterine chambers, each of which can lead to the cervix and vagina. This means you can have two separate uteruses and two separate vaginas and two fallopian tubes.
With a pregnant woman with a double uterus, the arterial branches that nourish the fetus will be scattered, the uterine lumen is narrow, the uterus is not elastic, easily leading to miscarriage, fetal growth retardation or even a miscarriage. stillbirth, premature birth.

2. Causes of a double uterus

Double uterus is a uterine abnormality that occurs while the fetus is still in the womb. The fetus' uterus is formed during embryonic development by the fusion of two parallel ducts to form a hollow organ called the uterus. If the fusion of these two tubes goes well, a completely normal uterus will form. If this fusion process occurs abnormally, a bicornuate uterus or a double uterus will appear. The cause of this incomplete merger is still unknown. Many conjectures suggest that: genetic factors may be one of the causes of a double uterus.
People with a double uterus can have one cervix and one vagina, or each uterus can have a separate cervix. In many cases, a thin septum appears along the vagina dividing the vagina into two separate passages called a septum uterus.

3. What problems can a double uterus have?

If there are no medical or obstetric complications, this abnormality in the uterus often causes no symptoms, so it is difficult to recognize. Therefore, having a double uterus can only be discovered when your obstetrician conducts a pelvic exam or you perform imaging tests as indicated.
Most women with a double uterus still have a normal sex life, pregnancy and birth. But a few people with a double uterus have the following problems:
For women who are not pregnant, it can lead to:
Infertility Irregular menstruation During pregnancy, problems may arise such as:
Miscarriage Postpartum bleeding. Difficult delivery: During pregnancy, the uterus containing the fetus grows, the other uterus is only slightly larger than normal. The non-pregnant uterus is located low, in the labor stage, it will obstruct the exit of the fetus, making it difficult to deliver. Therefore, most women with a double uterus will usually have a cesarean section. However, there are still women with a double uterus who will still have a vaginal birth if they are diagnosed with a small fetus and the remaining uterus does not obstruct the exit of the fetus. Low birth weight: Normally, for a woman with 1 uterus, there will be 2 uterine arteries to supply blood. But in a woman with a double uterus, one uterine artery supplies blood to each uterus. Thus, the blood supply to the fetus is reduced, so the fetus will be at risk of low birth weight. Premature birth: The uterus containing the fetus in a person with a double uterus is more limited than that of a person with 1 uterus, so it is easy to lead to premature birth.

4. Methods of diagnosis of double uterus

After a physical examination, if your doctor suspects that you have a double uterus, your doctor will recommend imaging tests to accurately diagnose abnormalities in your uterus. Your doctor will order you to do one of the following tests:

Ultrasound: Can transabdominal ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound or 3D ultrasound. Sonohogramogram: Is a type of imaging test used to diagnose uterine abnormalities. Sonohogramogram is highly effective in detecting structural abnormalities in the uterus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the inside of your body. Contrast X-ray of the fallopian tubes to determine the structure and size of the uterus as well as the functioning of the fallopian tubes.

5. Double uterus treatment

If you have a double uterus but there are no abnormalities, you do not need surgery. If you have a double uterus and two vaginas, you may need surgery to remove the septum that separates your vagina. This method can make it easier for you to give birth. Treatment for a double uterine malformation can be accomplished by removing the uterus that is not working well. But this needs to be carefully evaluated because it is related to endocrine problems. In addition, removal of a uterus can affect the blood supply to the uterus. If you have a double uterus and are pregnant, you need to pay special attention to the health of your pregnancy because of the risk of abnormal fetal position, fetal growth retardation due to narrow uterine cavity, stillbirth, premature birth... is quite high. The most common in pregnant women with a double uterus is an unfavorable position of the fetus. The fetal position is not favorable and the position of the non-pregnant uterus is low, causing compression of the fetus's exit through the vagina, so the cesarean section is usually prescribed by the doctor. To help customers detect and treat double uterus as well as other gynecological diseases early, Vinmec International General Hospital has a basic gynecological examination and screening package to help customers detect disease early. Inflammatory diseases make treatment easy and inexpensive. Screening detects gynecological cancer (cervical cancer) early even when there are no symptoms.
Basic gynecological examination and screening package for female customers, has no age limit and may have the following symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding Having menstrual problems: irregular menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycle Irregular vaginal discharge (smell, different color) Vaginal pain and itching Female clients have several risk factors such as poor personal hygiene, Unsafe sex, abortion,... Female customers have other symptoms such as: Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, pain in the private area, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

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