Reply With QuoteI just had my ultrasound - what does tilted uterus mean?
Sore downstairs after 10weeks?
Hi ladies,
I was pretty much painfree a day or two after giving birth and didn't need any pain relief after giving birth and felt right as rain. But have noticed on and off sore and full feeling down there... It hurts to walk sometimes and sometimes I have to just sit and ask Danny to make dinner - it's usually at the end of the day that it starts and after i've given Ro her bath routine etc. I also sometimes get pretty nasty tummy pain but again it's just random stuff and usually will be gone by the time I wake up. I've been to the Doctor's and all he could tell me whilst I was there was that ovulation mucous was present and that he needed to do some tests and I needed an ultrasound because my uterus was feeling bulky and that may have something to do with the pain, otherwise he doesn't really know why i'm still getting it 10 weeks post birth. I have had my period back twice so far, I did think maybe it was period pain just much worse than I could possibly remember (didn't feel like period pain though) but it happens throughout my cycle so I scratched that thought.
Did anyone else had this problem or similar? Do you know what it was? Did it go away and how did you relieve it?
I just had my ultrasound - what does tilted uterus mean?
Registered User
A retroverted (or titled) uterus means the uterus is tipped backwards so that it aims towards the rectum instead of forward towards the belly.
Some of the causes of a retroverted uterus include:
* Natural variation - generally, the uterus moves into a forward tilt as the woman matures. Sometimes, this doesn’t happen and the uterus remains tipped backwards.
* Adhesions - an adhesion is a band of scar tissue that joins two (usually) separate anatomic surfaces together. Pelvic surgery can cause adhesions to form, which can then pull the uterus into a retroverted position.
* Endometriosis - the endometrium is the lining of the uterus. Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. These cells can cause retroversion by ‘gluing’ the uterus to other pelvic structures.
* Fibroids - these small, non-cancerous lumps can make the uterus susceptible to tipping backwards.
* Pregnancy - the uterus is held in place by bands of connective tissue called ligaments. Pregnancy can overstretch these ligaments and allow the uterus to tip backwards. In most cases, the uterus returns to its normal forward position after childbirth - but sometimes it doesn’t.
BellyBelly Member
Yeah I remember feeling a bit like that - what you said about it being worse at the end of the day was also true for me.
It did go away but I couldn't tell you when! I do know I was definitely still a little bit tender by 10 weeks because DH and I waited that long to DTD for that reason.
Re the retroverted uterus, kimbaz has given a good explanation, just wanted to add that it's a "variation of normal", very common and doesn't cause any issues. Mine is also, has been since even before I had kids.
Thanks Kim and Flea. Well I know it wasn't like that before because i've had numerous u/s and it's never been mentioned.... plus it's the first time i've needed an internal ultrasound. Does anyone know what sort of time frame it's meant to go back to normal?? I thought I read somewhere 6 weeks? If it's a permanent thing will it cause me any other problems, child bareing etc? I still don't know the results from my ultrasound - she said she saw something but needed the radiologist to look at it... thinking probably left over product... But I feel well!
Registered User
I hope it gets better for you. most people will tell you '6 weeks' after u have a baby....but somethings continue longer...some dont ever go away.
But retroverted uterus won’t cause any problems during pregnancy.
HTH in regs to treatment:
# Treatment for the underlying condition - such as hormone therapy for endometriosis.
# Exercises - if movement of the uterus isn’t hindered by endometriosis or fibroids, and if the doctor can manually reposition the uterus during the pelvic examination, exercises may help. However, the medical profession is divided over whether or not pelvic exercises are worthwhile as a long term solution - in many cases, the uterus simply tips backwards again.
# Pessary - a small silicone or plastic device can be placed either temporarily or permanently to help prop the uterus into a forward lean. However, pessaries have been linked with increased risk of infection and inflammation. Another drawback is that sexual intercourse is still painful for the woman, and the pessary may cause discomfort for her partner too.
# Surgery - using laparoscopic (‘keyhole’) surgery techniques, the uterus can be repositioned so that it sits over the bladder. This operation is relatively straightforward and usually successful. In some cases, the surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) may be considered.
# Treatment options for incarcerated uterus - includes hospitalisation, the insertion of a urinary catheter to empty the bladder, and a series of exercises (such as pelvic rocking) to help free the uterus.
Keep this in mind too for DTD:
In most cases of retroverted uterus, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are tipped backwards too. This means that all of these structures can be ‘butted’ by the head of the penis during intercourse. This is known as ‘collision dyspareunia’. The woman-on-top position usually causes the most pain. It is possible for vigorous sex in this position to injure or tear the ligaments surrounding the uterus.
My friend has this and she is always incredible pain but she also has PCOS which dont help the situation.
So is it true TTC with a retroverted uterus is difficult?
Ok, so I just got a call from my Dr and he wants to see me in the morning. He was only going to call if something came back with my tests and he said the swab and pap both came back negative which is great. Which had me thinking wonder why he wants to see me then, so I opened the ultrasound report and it says - The uterus is bulky but the myometrial echo pattern is normal. The endometrium is thickened and heterogeneously echogenic either due to underlying haematoma or retained products of conception. I know I should just wait to see what my Dr has to say because it's probably nothing, but just wondering if anyone knew what on god's great earth this means? Does it mean I just have some sort of infection? I'm impatient I know....
Registered User
Hmmm....they should know that people cant wait to know what the report says...and should put it in english..not medical terms!!
I have no idea what it could mean...but im guessing it could either be theres still stuff left from Rochelles birth...or an out there guess..a pregnancy that may have started after Rochelles birth that is no longer viable?
Guesses is all i have....but i guess you will know for sure tomorrow. Dr may want to do some more tests or perhaps some surgery? `
As for TTC being difficult:
No. The ability of the sperm to get through your uterus has nothing to do with its position. It's based on the sperm's ability to swim, the consistency of your cervical mucus when the sperm is released, and other factors. In fact, having a tilted (retroverted) uterus is a normal anatomical variation, just like eye or hair colour. In most women, the uterus tips slightly forward (anteverted), toward the bladder, but in some women, it tilts backward (retroverted), towards the spine.
That said, a retroverted uterus may signal an underlying condition such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect fertility. These conditions, not the angle of the uterus, can make it harder for you to get pregnant. They can create scar tissue that may make it more difficult for the egg to get through the fallopian tube to unite with the sperm.
Registered User
Hi Cath
Myometrium and endometrium- different tissue layers in uterus.
"underlying haematoma" kind of like a bruise. Where blood has leaked into the tissue for whar ever reason.
"Retained products of conception" I would presume this means that there is some placenta or the likes still in your uterus.
So it doesn't suggest an infection, but it may suggest there are still bits in there that perhaps shouldn't be. If it is retained placenta you might need it removed, (D&C). if it is a haematoma i would think, depending on the size and location that it would resolve on its own. But i am no doctor!
Thanks for your explainations Kim. I definately don't think it could be the later guess because i'm a good girl and not had unprotected sexI have had AF twice though both 29 day cycles and when I had my tests done last week Dr. said there was O mucous present. So I doubt that. I just thought there would be more pain, not just pain randomly every few days or so? Thanks for your guesses though!
Phew... glad to know that it's not harder to fall preg with a retroverted uterus... Just have to hope DH has a few good swimmers left! Quite the wealth of knowledge your proving to be in this area Kim.
ETA - HAHAHA Good ol' falguni aye... That's right, you used to work in an imaging place! Thanks for the info... D&C - Sounds scary? what does that involve does anyone know and is there anyway I can avoid it?
Hope everything is ok hun.
I have a retroverted uterus and it means nothing... my Dr told me that really all it will do it cause back pain during your period.
Thanks Danni! Long as it's nothing... But I have noticed what Kim said earlier... Some positons aren't so nice when involving sexual activity... Only just since giving birth it's felt like that with those positions, but before used to be great! But I can live with that because DTD is so much more awesome now... LOL @ awesome. I'm sure everything will be fine - i'm just a curious critter..
Registered User
You might not need this at all Cath, so don't get worried or stressed until you have seen doc and got full results.
Having said that it is not too big a deal.
dilation and curettage- This is what alot of ladies have when they have a m/c. Dilation refers to dilation of the cervix and the curettage bit is where they scrape away the lining of the uterus. Simple day procedure for most people.......In and out on same day. But have a light general so will need to take it easy for 24hrs or so.
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