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The bicornuate uterus is a congenital alteration, in which the uterus has an abnormal shape due to the presence of a membrane, which divides the uterus in half, partially or totally, however in this case the uterus is not connected to the cervix. uterus. In most cases, this change does not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms, being identified only by means of imaging tests such as ultrasound, for example.
Women who have a bicornuate uterus do not usually have difficulty getting pregnant, however they are more likely to have an abortion or the baby is premature.Thus, it is important that these women make regular consultations with the obstetrician so that the pregnancy is monitored more closely and complications can be prevented.
Symptoms of bicornuate uterus
The bicornuate uterus most often does not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms, and is often only discovered during routine imaging exams in adulthood. On the other hand, some women may show some symptoms, the main ones being:
- Discomfort during ovulation;
- Abdominal pain;
- Pain during intercourse;
- Irregular menstruation.
Many women with a bicornuate uterus have a normal sex life and also have smooth pregnancies and deliveries, but in some cases this malformation in the uterus can cause infertility, miscarriage, premature birth of the baby or kidney abnormalities.
Who has a bicornuate uterus can get pregnant?
Usually a bicornuate uterus does not affect fertility, but in some cases it can cause miscarriage or premature birth due to the small size of the uterus or the occurrence of irregular uterine contractions.
In addition, several studies show that women with a bicornuate uterus are 4 times more likely to have a baby with malformations and that is why it is very important to have regular exams during pregnancy and to be aware of any unusual signs. These pregnancies are usually treated as high-risk pregnancies and it is very likely that delivery will be performed by caesarean section.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of bicornuate uterus is made by means of imaging tests, the main ones being:
- Ultrasound, in which images are captured through a device that can be placed against the abdominal region or inserted into the vagina;
- Magnetic resonance imaging, which is a painless procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create transversal images of the interior of the body;
- Hysterosalpingography, which is a gynecological exam in which a dye is injected into the uterus and as the contrast moves through the reproductive organs, X-rays are taken to determine the shape and size of the uterus.
Generally, before using these tests, the doctor performs a pelvic examination, which consists of a visual and physical examination of the woman's reproductive organs.
How treatment should be
Treatment for bicornuate uterus is not normally necessary, especially since most cases do not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms. However, if symptoms occur that cause a lot of discomfort or if the woman is unable to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy due to this condition, the gynecologist may recommend surgery.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- BRAZILIAN FEDERATION OF THE ASSOCIATIONS OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSETRÍCIA. Uterine malformations and pregnancy. 2018. Available at:. Accessed on 02 Sep 2020
- CUNHA, Alfredo A .; ASSAD, Mariana S .; ALVES, Daniela M .; CUNHA, Isabela O. Third pregnancy in bicornuate uterus with live preterm fetus. Scientific Journal of HCE.
- NARANG, Kavita; COPE, Zebulun S .; TEIXEIRA, Jose M. Human Reproductive and Prenatal Genetics. Elsevier, 2019. 129-153.