A small uterus in a woman causes. Little mother. There are three types of underdevelopment of the uterus

A small uterus or hypoplasia is a condition in which the small size of the organ leads to impaired function. A small uterus can cause infertility or miscarriage. However, this diagnosis requires precise confirmation.

The internal genital organs of the female body are laid at the end of the 1st - beginning of the 2nd trimester. It is believed that at this time the body goes through a critical period of development. Another critical period of development of the body passes at the age of 11-16 years. Violations that arose during critical periods will affect the entire future life of a person.

If during the first critical period there are violations of the growth of the internal genital organs, in the future this can lead to uterine aplasia. Aplasia or fetal uterus - a condition in which a woman of reproductive age has a uterus that is comparable in size to the size of a newborn baby's uterus. In severe cases, the uterus may be absent.

Violations of the growth and development of the internal genital organs during puberty can lead to uterine hypoplasia. In this case, a small uterus is observed, underdevelopment of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and external genital organs is possible.

There is a dependence of function on the structure, which means that a small uterus can be the cause of infertility or abortion in the early stages. If a woman has a small uterus, her size may not correspond to the norm necessary for a physiological pregnancy.

Small uterus - reasons

Infections, hormonal disorders, lack of nutrients and minerals, stress, excessive physical activity, lack of rest and sleep, severe illness during a critical period lead to a violation of the growth and development of the whole organism.

Small uterus - symptoms

Symptoms of uterine hypoplasia:

lack of menstruation - amenorrhea;
painful menstruation - algomenorrhea;
violations of the cycle of menstruation - dysmenorrhea;
decreased libido;
infertility;
habitual miscarriage.

Hypoplasia of the uterus is often accompanied by a lag in overall physical development.

Often this diagnosis is made on the basis of ultrasound of the pelvic organs. The normal dimensions of the uterus are: length 7-8 cm, width 4-5 cm, thickness of the myometrium 2-3 cm.

However, for an accurate diagnosis, the data of a gynecological examination and the presence of characteristic symptoms are important. Other causes of infertility must be excluded.

Diagnostics

Small uterus (photo from the monitor of the ultrasound machine):

Ultrasound diagnosis is based on a visual measurement of the size of the uterus on the monitor of the device. However, the method does not take into account the features of normal development. In women with an asthenic physique, it is possible that the size of the uterus will be less than the statistical norm, but they have no problems with the female genital area.

What to do if a small uterus is diagnosed according to a radiologist? Be sure to visit a competent gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, prescribe tests.

During a gynecological examination, a small height of the uterine fundus revealed may indicate a correct diagnosis. Tests for sex hormones can reveal a hormonal imbalance characteristic of hypoplasia.

Why should a small uterus be diagnosed with the exclusion of other pathologies? With subsequent hormonal treatment, if the cause of infertility is not in hypoplasia, the condition may worsen. If the cause is a tumor, hormonal treatment will lead to the rapid progression of the oncological process.

Aplasia of the uterus is diagnosed during ultrasound. The extremely small size of the organ, within 3 cm, makes the diagnosis quite accurate.

Small uterus - treatment

Treatment of hypoplasia is carried out with hormonal drugs. Gonadotropic hormones stimulate the growth and development of internal genital organs, promote conception. Physiotherapy is widely used, based on the use of thermal procedures that stimulate blood circulation in the pelvic organs.

Restorative treatment, vitamin therapy, physical activity and proper nutrition contribute to a speedy recovery. Some gynecologists recommend not to have an abortion in the event of pregnancy. Pregnancy contributes to an increase in the uterus, and hormones produced in large quantities by the body act better than drugs.

Uterine aplasia and extreme degrees of uterine hypoplasia are considered unpromising for any treatment.

Small uterus and pregnancy

The most frequently asked question in patients with this diagnosis is whether it is possible to get pregnant? A small uterus in itself is not an obstacle to pregnancy, if there are no hormonal disorders.

However, a small wall thickness, poor extensibility of the myometrium, a small cervix can cause abortion due to uterine hypertonicity, isthmic-cervical insufficiency, and placental abruption.

In cases where hypoplasia is accompanied by hormonal disorders, pregnancy can be prevented by the lack of ovulation, low hormone levels make implantation of a fertilized egg impossible.

And yet, you can get pregnant if the uterus is small. You can endure and give birth to a healthy baby. The most important thing is correct and comprehensive treatment, optimistic attitude and good spirits.

Pregnancy with uterine aplasia is usually not possible. IVF and surrogacy can help a woman become a mother.

A woman finds out she has a small uterus, usually after a pelvic exam or ultrasound. Some first encounter such a diagnosis only during pregnancy. Sometimes the size of the uterus is slightly less than normal, but in some cases they can make a very specific conclusion: hypoplasia, aplasia, infantilism. The doctor may scare the patient by saying that she is unlikely to be able to become pregnant and bear a child.

However, many women with this pathology safely give birth to children. Adequate hormonal treatment plays an important role in this. Such a conclusion can mean both a subjective assessment and indicate a pathology that leads to miscarriage.

Causes leading to the formation of a small uterus

The normal size of this organ in gynecology: length 7-8 cm, width 4-5 cm, thickness of the myometrium 2-3 cm, neck length 2.5 cm. These are the average parameters that doctors take as a standard. However, a woman also has a normally functioning organ of other sizes.

It can be small, medium or large, but without pathologies in structure and work. Small sizes are often found in thin and petite ladies. This is due to the type of physique, equipment, physiology.

How to get pregnant with a pathologically small uterus, if the organ is not able to perform its main function - to bear a child?

If a comprehensive examination really confirmed a serious violation that prevents pregnancy, then the following diagnoses are often made:

Hypoplasia - insufficient development in size. The condition is accompanied by underdevelopment of other genital organs, hormonal imbalance;
Aplasia - the size of an organ in an adult woman is the same as in a newborn girl (no more than 3 cm);
Infantilism - the size does not exceed 5.5 cm.

In addition to a pathologically small organ, as a rule, there are other symptoms of the disorder: an irregular menstrual cycle or a complete absence of menstruation, if they are present, they are quite painful, there is a weak sexual desire, difficulties with conceiving or bearing a child.

Violation in the formation of the reproductive system occurs either in the prenatal period or during puberty. If a woman during pregnancy suffered an infectious disease, had a hormonal imbalance, suffered from a vitamin deficiency or was exposed to other adverse factors, this means that the fetus may experience developmental disorders, including anomalies of the reproductive system.

In a teenager, pathology can occur against the background of a disease (infectious-viral, genitourinary system), insufficient or poor-quality nutrition, vitamin deficiency, physical exhaustion, hard work or stress.

If the small size of the organ is not a physiological feature of the body, then this condition is accompanied by other disorders, which together make it impossible to bear a child. If there is a hormonal imbalance, pathology of the tubes or the structure of the cervix at the same time, then pregnancy becomes problematic.

Diagnosis "small uterus": is it possible for a woman to successfully become pregnant?

If, along with pathology, other violations of the reproductive system are revealed, then it is necessary to prepare for planning a child in a special way. Often such preparation does not involve drastic measures.

What to do if a small uterus is diagnosed

As already mentioned, hormones influence the development of this organ. In addition, an increase can occur with regular sexual activity. The main cause of hypoplasia is hormonal imbalance, which means that the treatment will be associated with the correction of the hormonal background. Treatment of a small uterus with this method, as a rule, takes quite a long time.
Various physiotherapy procedures are aimed at improving blood circulation in the pelvic organs. You can eliminate the violation with the help of electric shock. Gynecological massage is also shown, which consists in the active stimulation of the reproductive organs. Treatment of a small uterus is not complete without a complex of vitamins and minerals.
As for folk methods, the most popular is the recipe with clay. It can be purchased at a pharmacy. Clay is diluted with water to a creamy state and applied in a thick layer to the lower abdomen. Then a piece of cling film or cellophane is placed on top.

Such a kind of compress is kept for about 2 hours, and then washed off with running water. Procedures must be done daily, each time using a fresh portion of clay. Folk methods of treatment complement the main therapy prescribed by the doctor.

Small uterus during pregnancy: what does it mean

After the diagnosis is made, an ultrasound scan is necessary to confirm it. It is worth noting that a small uterus and pregnancy are often quite compatible conditions. In addition, many ladies learn about this phenomenon already during the gestation period.

As a rule, as the term increases, the uterus grows along with the fetus. This is facilitated by hormones actively produced by the female body at this time. However, it is quite possible that it will be necessary to additionally take special hormonal preparations.

The main reasons that cause difficulties in bearing are hormone deficiency, thin loose myometrium, short neck and other disorders of the reproductive system. The consequences of such conditions include: miscarriage, premature birth, weak labor, difficult opening of the cervix. However, modern methods of pregnancy management significantly reduce the negative risks.

After childbirth, the organ will take on its former size, and it may also happen that the pathology disappears without a trace. In addition, sometimes other violations of the development of the organs of the reproductive system, for example, bending of the pipes, also eliminate themselves.

The real difficulties arise with a very small and poorly developed uterus. And with aplasia, pregnancy in a natural way becomes almost impossible. But even in such situations, reproductive technologies are very effective in helping a woman become a mother.

After several years of a happy family life, my husband and I thought that it would be time to have children already. Well, as an exemplary future mother, I decided to prepare my body for pregnancy, which means that it was necessary not only to eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle, but also undergo the necessary examination, visiting a gynecologist first of all. I have always had problems with the menstrual cycle, but I had no idea what it could be connected with. As it turned out, all my life I lived with a small uterus - so I was told after the ultrasound.

“You have a small uterus, there may be problems with conception and gestation” - these words of the doctor significantly undermined my belief that we could ever become parents. So how dangerous is having a small uterus for pregnancy? Why don't female reproductive organs develop? What to do if a small uterus is diagnosed?

Little mother. Why is this happening?

The genitals of a little girl are identical to those of an adult woman, and differ, perhaps, in size. In adolescence, the amount of sex hormones in the body of a young person increases, under the influence of which she turns into a young woman. In addition to external changes such as enlargement of the mammary glands, rounding of the hips, growth of pubic and axillary hair, an increase in the size of the uterus is observed during puberty.

Normally, the uterus in a mature woman has the following dimensions: length is about 7 cm, width is about 4 cm, length of the cervix is in the range of 2.5-3.5 cm. These parameters are generally recognized and may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the woman (height, nationality, heredity, etc.).

Hypoplasia of the uterus (infantile, germinal, small uterus) is a condition caused by low levels of sex hormones during puberty, as a result of which the uterus lags behind in development.

Factors that reduce the level of sex hormones in the body include:

surgical interventions on the ovaries;
anomaly of laying organs;
violation of the microcirculation of the pelvic organs (violation of metabolic processes, vascular disease, pathology of the cardiovascular system);
hard workouts;
stressful situations;
debilitating diets;
frequent colds, chronic inflammatory diseases;
alcohol abuse, smoking;
avitaminosis;
hormonal disorders.

In other words, any factor that affects the body and prevents the synthesis of sex hormones can become the cause of a small uterus.

How to identify a small uterus?

Hypoplasia of the uterus is accompanied by a violation of the menstrual cycle in a woman, which can be expressed as:

irregular periods;
complete absence of menstruation;
deterioration during menstruation (severe pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, weakness, dizziness);

infertility;
spontaneous abortions;
decrease in sex drive.

In addition, the infantile uterus is often accompanied by underdevelopment of the external genital organs, as well as the organs of the genitourinary system. It is also possible that there is a lag in physical development from peers in adolescence.

Women with a small uterus sometimes have sexual problems, such as not having an orgasm during intercourse.

Medical diagnostics.

You can determine the hypoplasia of the uterus at the appointment with a gynecologist, who, during a bimanual study, evaluates not only the location of the uterus, but also its size. In addition, a small uterus can be diagnosed using ultrasound. Depending on the degree of hypoplasia, there are:

teenage uterus (the size of the organ is reduced by no more than 2 cm);
children's uterus (the cavity is almost halved);
the embryonic uterus (the organ is practically not developed, it has no cavity).

IMPORTANT! In the presence of a teenage uterus, pregnancy is quite possible. In women with a baby uterus, pregnancy is possible only after a course of treatment. The embryonic uterus reduces the possibility of independent conception and gestation to zero.

The risk of complications during pregnancy with a small uterus.

There are many cases when a woman with a small uterus, the onset of pregnancy did not require any treatment. The uterus has amazing elasticity, so even an infantile uterus can become a full-fledged refuge for a baby.

However, there is a rather high risk of developing complications with uterine hypoplasia associated with gestation. Even if pregnancy has occurred, the likelihood that it is ectopic is very high. Convoluted tubes with uterine hypoplasia often twist, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg is implanted in the tube, as it cannot enter the uterine cavity).

One of the complications of a small uterus is habitual miscarriage - the termination of two or more pregnancies in the early stages, due to low levels of sex hormones.

Small uterus and pregnancy. Wish is possible!

As practice shows, uterine hypoplasia for many women is not an obstacle to motherhood. A small uterus is no longer a sentence; modern clinics successfully solve this problem using simple and affordable methods of treatment.

So, to increase the chances of getting pregnant with a small uterus, you can use:

Vitamin therapy.

Sometimes for the onset of pregnancy it is enough to provide the body with all the necessary substances.

Gynecological massage.

The procedure is aimed at improving the blood supply to the pelvic organs, as a result of which the uterus may increase in size. The appointment of a course of gynecological massage in combination with other physiotherapy procedures often gives a good result.

Unfortunately, not all women can easily become pregnant and bear a healthy baby. The reasons for such difficulties are various diseases associated with the reproductive organs, as well as the hormonal characteristics of a woman. For example, uterine hypoplasia, that is, an underdeveloped, small uterus. What to do if you have been diagnosed with such a diagnosis, as well as the causes and useful recommendations, we will consider in this article.

The causes of uterine hypoplasia in an adult woman can be illnesses that she suffered as early as adolescence, when the reproductive organs were forming. These include: hormonal disruptions, infectious diseases of the genitourinary system and genital organs, diseases of the nervous system, as well as insufficient amounts of certain nutrients in the body. The latter refers to a situation where a girl at a young age restricts herself in full-fledged food, thereby provoking a deficiency of the necessary elements in the body.

In order to determine how developed the uterus is, you need to be examined by a gynecologist and take measurements of the uterus using. However, there are some peculiarities here too. It is important to note that in women who have not given birth, the uterus is much smaller than in those who have given birth safely. In addition, given the proportions of each woman, the size of the uterus is naturally very different. In a small woman with a low weight, small sizes will be considered normal, and in a woman with larger forms, therefore, much higher. Therefore, only a specialist can determine the presence or absence of uterine pathology.

Note that uterine hypoplasia and all diseases associated with it are very well treatable in modern medicine. Most often, experts prescribe hormonal drugs that help not only to formulate the correct hormonal background, but also contribute to an increase in the size of the uterus. In some cases, uterine hypoplasia can be treated with vitamins without resorting to hormonal treatment.

Some women with uterine hypoplasia may be offered to increase the size of the uterus with the help of gynecological massage. The principle of this method lies in the intensive reproductive organs both from the outside and from the inside. Thus, during the procedure, blood circulation is stimulated, which allows you to slightly enlarge the small uterus.

Well, the last thing you should pay attention to is your own attitude towards a positive result. Don't be discouraged if the treatment takes a little longer than you'd like. Rest assured that everything will work out for you. Arm yourself with patience and support from loved ones - do not worry, believe in yourself and everything will be fine. Good luck and good health. And let another pair of happy eyes appear on the earth and a small, tiny bundle of happiness - your baby.

Specially for- Ira Romaniy

Content

Often, when diagnosing the causes of infertility, it is found that a woman has a small uterus. This factor significantly affects not only the possibility of conception, but also determines the prognosis during pregnancy.

Many women are interested in what a small uterus means. As a rule, this concept means its hypoplasia, infantilism or underdevelopment. A small uterus can mean both a separate pathology and be a manifestation of general infantilism.

The uterus performs an important function in the reproductive system: it is designed for implantation and development of the embryo. The uterus is a unique organ, which means that only it is capable of performing the assigned function of reproducing its own kind. To implement the primary task, the uterus also performs a menstrual function - this means that the layer intended for the development of the fetus is regularly, that is, updated monthly.

Obviously, the uterine body is also directly involved in the process of childbirth. Contractions of the myometrium, which means contractions, contribute to the expulsion of the fetus and its subsequent birth.

The uterus is relatively small. It is noteworthy that the uterine body has a different size, which varies depending on the age of the woman and the number of births.

In newborn girls, the uterine body is located in the abdominal cavity and has a size of up to 3 cm. The ratio between the uterus and the cervix is 3/1. The uterine body, as the girl grows older, descends into the small pelvis.

It is known that the size of the organ in adult representatives also differ depending on whether the woman gave birth or not. Normally, a woman's uterus can have both a small and a large volume:

4.5 cm in nulliparous women;
5.5 in nulliparous women with a history of pregnancy;
5.8 in women giving birth.

The value may vary within a few millimetres.

The uterus grows during pregnancy, and after childbirth returns to almost its original size, which is called involution. The neck also undergoes changes. In nulliparous women, the cervix has a conical shape, and in those who have given birth, it is cylindrical.

Degrees and causes of pathology

A small uterus does not always mean that it is underdeveloped. In some cases, the small size is due to the miniature growth of a woman, as well as a hereditary factor. Nevertheless, even in the presence of a small uterus, its size should correspond to the lower limit of the norm.

How underdeveloped the uterus is small is determined by degrees.

The first degree means that the uterus has the size of an organ as at birth. Such a small uterus is called a rudimentary, germinal. Pregnancy naturally is not possible. This means that a woman will have to resort to the services of a surrogate mother.
The second degree means the size of the organ from 3.5 to 5.5 cm, and the neck occupies most of it. A small uterus at this degree is amenable to hormonal treatment, however, the prognosis for a subsequent pregnancy is not always favorable.
At the third stage a small uterus is slightly different from the norm. The ratio between the body and the neck is not disturbed. This means that the pathology can be eliminated with medication.

The causes of pathology depend on whether it is congenital or acquired. In general, a small uterine body in most cases is not a congenital anomaly. This means that acquired anomalies are more common.

Among the causes of congenital pathology are:

chromosomal disorders and genetic diseases;
harmful effects of the environment during pregnancy;
smoking and drinking alcohol;
delayed fetal development;
the presence of infections during childbearing;
taking certain medications.

There are many reasons for the small size of the uterine body:

dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary system due to trauma or due to infectious, toxic damage;
the presence of formations both in the hypothalamus and in the pituitary gland;
severe infectious and other somatic diseases;
endocrine and hormonal disorders;
autoimmune diseases;
tumors, cysts in the ovaries;
underdevelopment of the ovaries, which means their hypoplasia;
little weight;
poor nutrition;
operations performed on the ovaries;
smoking;
alcohol consumption;
physical and mental fatigue;
persistent colds;
unfavorable heredity.

The presence of these factors does not mean the development of pathology. Often, a small volume of an organ is due to a complex of various reasons.

Clinical picture and diagnostic methods

Symptoms depend on the severity of the anomaly. In the first degree, a woman has:

lack of menstruation;
rare menstruation;
scanty spotting during critical days.

The second and third degrees are different:

late menstruation;
irregular cycles;
scarcity or abundance of bloody discharge;
pain, nausea, lethargy, fainting during critical days.

The presence of symptoms is due to a low level of ovarian hormones and an imbalance in the hypothalamus-pituitary gland system. This means the occurrence of a disorder in the functioning of the entire reproductive system.

It is possible to conclude that a woman has a small volume of the uterus by her appearance. Women are distinguished by small stature, thin figure, narrow hips. Moreover, secondary sexual characteristics are also poorly developed. There is an insufficient volume of the mammary glands, poor hair growth of the armpits and pubis.

The following signs, which are determined during a gynecological examination, may indicate an anomaly:

the labia are underdeveloped and do not cover the clitoris;
the crotch is retracted;
the vagina is small and anatomically narrow;
the tapered neck is long;
a small uterine body is characterized by an anterior deflection and is flat, dense.

Girls usually complain about infertility, lack of libido and orgasms.

A small uterine body can provoke the following complications:

infertility and miscarriage, which can occur at any time;
chronic inflammation due to anatomical abnormalities;
weakness of labor activity and bleeding;
toxicosis of the first trimester;
early birth;
ectopic pregnancy due to obstruction of the tubes.

An anomaly can be suspected by visual signs and clinical picture. The diagnosis is confirmed by the following diagnostic methods:

gynecological ultrasound;
analysis for the content of sex hormones;
measuring the size of the pelvis;
x-ray of the hand and skull;
hysterosalpingography;
MRI of the brain.

Many girls want to know what to do if the uterus is small. Treatment is prescribed in accordance with the results of the study. Therapy includes:

complete nutrition;
correction of the psychological state;
hormonal estrogen preparations;
vitamins;
physiotherapy;
Spa treatment;
gynecological massage;
physiotherapy exercises.

If the indicators slightly deviate from the norm, this means that the pathology has a favorable prognosis.