Unicornuate Uterus | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of unicornuate uterus?
Common symptoms include:
- Reproductive difficulties
- Abdominal pain in the case of a hemi-uterus
How will unicornuate uterus affect my daughter's sex life and fertility?
A unicornuate uterus doesn't necessarily prevent a woman from giving birth. However, she may need a caesarean section. Women with a unicornuate uterus are at an increased risk for preterm labor and miscarriage. If a hemi-uterus is present, it needs to be removed. A pregnancy could possibly begin in the uterine remnant. This must be treated as an emergency because the area is too small to support a growing fetus, and the hemi-uterus could rupture. This is similar to an ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg becomes implanted in a fallopian tube.
What causes unicornuate uterus?
A unicornuate uterus forms during embryological development when the uterus doesn't form normally. The cause of this genetic abnormality is unknown.
Unicornuate Uterus | Diagnosis & Treatments
How is unicornuate uterus treated?
During your visit, doctors will decide if it's possible to perform a laparoscopic removal of the hemi-uterus, as the hemi-uterus poses health risks in the case of a pregnancy. The hemi-uterus can only be removed if there is a normal unicornuate uterus on the other side.
How we care for unicornuate uterus
At the Boston Children's Hospital Division of Gynecology and the Center for Congenital Anomalies of the Reproductive Tract, an interdisciplinary team of pediatricians, gynecologists, urogynecologists, and colorectal surgeons will work to find the best treatment for your daughter's unicornuate uterus.
