Congenital uterine anomalies are malformations of the uterus that develop during embryonic life. Congenital uterine anomalies occur in less than 5% of all women, but have been noted in up to 25% of women who have had miscarriages and/or deliveries of premature babies. Like other organs in the body, a woman’s reproductive organs take shape when she is still a fetus inside her mother’s uterus.
When a woman is in her mother’s womb, during normal development, these ducts come together. When this happens, a single uterus with an open cavity and two fallopian tubes are formed. Sometimes the uterus and fallopian tubes may not form like they should. When a woman’s uterus develops differently from most women, it is called a uterine anomaly.
Different Types of Uterus
The uterus develops in intrauterine life. When this development is disturbed, different shaped uterus develops. The types of uterus (misshapen uterus) can be listed as;
- Unicornuate uterus: only one half of the uterus has developed.
- Arcuate uterus: An arcuate uterus, which means there is a “dent” on the top of the uterus. This situation does not cause any problems with pregnancy.
- T shaped uterus: A t-shaped uterus is a type of uterine malformation wherein the uterus is shaped resembling the letter T.This is typically observed in DES (diethylstilbestrol)-exposed women. DES is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen. It was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, premature labor, and related complications of pregnancy T shaped uterus is associated with failed implantation, increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and preterm delivery. There is a hysteroscopic surgical procedure to correct the malformation.
- Bipartite uterus / bifid uterus / bicornuate uterus / uterus bikornis: A bicornuate uterus, in which two uteri share a single cervix and vagina. This can cause painful periods if the cervix does not allow blood to flow through and can be corrected with surgery.
- Didelphic uterus / 2 uterus / two uterus / bi uterus: the two halves of the uterus remain separate.
- Septate uterus / subseptate uterus / partial septate uterus / divided uterus: In this situation, there is a fibrous band of tissue going through the uterus. This fibrous band can be removed through a minimally invasive procedure known as a hysteroscopy.
- Hypoplastic uterus / infantile uterus / small uterus / narrow uterus.