Causes and effects of a double uterus

A double uterus is an abnormal malformation of the female uterus. This condition adversely affects the development of the fetus, can cause premature birth, stillbirth or malnutrition in the womb. In addition, it also reduces the natural pregnancy, even has a high risk of dangerous obstetric complications for both mother and baby.

The uterus, also known as the uterus, is the female reproductive organ. Normally, the female reproductive system will have a uterus, 2 fallopian tubes and a vagina. However, double uterus (double uterus) is a rare congenital abnormality, typical for abnormalities in the uterus, affecting only about 1 in thousands of people.
People with a double uterus will have two uterine chambers, which can be separated or have a fused body. Each of these chambers can lead to the cervix or vagina. When a pregnant woman has a double uterus, the arterial branches that feed the fetus are always scattered, in addition, the uterine lumen is small and narrow, having difficulty in stretching, which can easily lead to miscarriage, delayed fetus. development, premature birth, and even stillbirth.
Double uterus has many different forms, including:
Separation uterus: female reproductive organ with one uterus but separated by a septum. The septum uterus is still composed of two ovaries, two fallopian tubes, and a cervix attached to a vaginal canal. Bicornuate uterus: The uterus is divided into two different parts but still shares the same cervix with the vagina. Each side of the uterus connects to a separate ovary and fallopian tube. Two uterus: The female reproductive organ will have two uteruses connected to two separate cervixes, but only one vagina. Each side of the uterus has one ovary and one fallopian tube.

A double uterus is an abnormality in the uterus that occurs while the fetus is forming. During embryonic development, the fetus' uterus will be formed by the fusion of two parallel Müllerian ducts, which then form a hollow organ known as the uterus. If the process of merging these two tubes takes place according to the general rules, a completely normal uterus will be formed. On the contrary, if an abnormality occurs during the fusion process, it will lead to a double uterus or a bicornuate uterus.
However, the cause of double uterus related to this incomplete fusion process is still unknown. There are many studies that suggest that genetic factors are most likely one of the main causes of this rare condition of double uterus.
Women with a double uterus often have one cervix and one vagina, or it is possible that each uterine cavity will have a separate cervix. In most cases, there will be a thin septum along the vagina, which divides the vagina into two separate passages.
People with a double uterus can still conceive as normal, but these abnormalities in the uterus can cause some complications such as a high risk of miscarriage, premature birth, fetal growth retardation, even It can even cause infertility.

Women with a double uterus are difficult to examine with the naked eye because the uterus is located deep in the abdominal cavity, it does not cause pain or any symptoms. Therefore, the uterus can only be detected when the obstetrician conducts a pelvic exam or performs imaging tests as indicated.
Most women with a double uterus still have a normal sex life like everyone else, they can even get pregnant and give birth. However, there are some cases where a double uterus has the following problems:
Irregular menstruation Infertility Miscarriage Preterm birth Bleeding after giving birth.

Women with a double uterus often find it difficult to conceive. Because the uterus is divided, the fertilized egg cannot develop as it should. This makes it difficult for the fetus to locate the attachment point. In the case of a septum uterus, when the fetus in the womb grows, the fetal structure will be divided by this septum, leading to deformity. .
For the case of two uteruses, the uterus size of these women is only 1/2 the size of the uterus in a normal woman. It makes the fetus unable to develop or difficult to move, leading to difficulty in positioning the fetus. In addition, a pregnant woman with two uteruses also reduces the nutritional supply to the fetus because each uterus has only one blood vessel, causing malnutrition, weakness, and poor resistance in the fetus.

Through a pelvic exam, your doctor can find out if you have a double uterus or if something is wrong with your uterus. If your doctor suspects you have a double uterus, your doctor will recommend imaging tests to accurately diagnose uterine abnormalities. These tests are also recommended for women with recurrent miscarriages. Here are some imaging tests your doctor may order:
Ultrasound: your doctor can do a transvaginal ultrasound, a transabdominal ultrasound, or a 3D ultrasound. Sonohogramogram: This type of imaging test is often used to diagnose abnormalities in the uterus. It is highly effective in detecting structural abnormalities in the uterus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): In this diagnostic method, your doctor 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 helps the doctor determine the size and structure of the uterus and the function of the fallopian tubes.

Here are some treatments for a double uterus that you need to be aware of, including:
In the case of a double uterus without any abnormalities, you do not need to perform surgery. You may need surgery to remove the septum that separates your vagina if you have a double uterus and two vaginas. By removing this septum makes childbirth easier.
One of the effective methods to treat double uterine malformation is to perform a hysterectomy that does not work well. However, careful consideration should be given to using this method as it is associated with endocrine problems. In addition, the removal of a uterus also significantly affects the blood supply to the uterus.
When you have a double uterus and are pregnant, you need to pay special attention to the health of your pregnancy because the risk of abnormal pregnancy, stillbirth, fetal growth retardation or premature birth are all very likely. out. Infertility is the most common condition in women with a double uterus. The low position of the non-pregnant uterus with the unfavorable position of the fetus causes compression of the fetus's exit through the vagina, so the cesarean section is usually prescribed by the doctor in this case.
To help customers detect and treat early double uterus as well as other gynecological diseases, Vinmec International General Hospital has a basic gynecological examination and screening package to help customers detect the 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.

References: Mayoclinic.org and Healthline.com