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- Written By: Chynna T. Laird
- Edited By: Lindsay D.
- Last Modified Date: 27 January 2012
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
A bicornuate uterus is when the uterus is sectioned into two chambers, or horns, instead of one. Also referred to as a “heart-shaped” uterus, a bicornuate uterus forms during the embryonic stage of development. The Mullerian ducts, which become the ovaries and fallopian tubes, don’t fuse properly causing the bottom part of the uterus to appear normal while the upper part folds inward causing a malformed uterus shaped like a heart.
There are different severities of a bicornuate uterus from a partial bicornuate, where only part of the upper portion dips into the chamber, to a full bicornuate, where the entire upper portion folds down, creating two chambers.
Many women don’t even realize they have a bicornuate uterus until they try to get pregnant. Although not related definitely to infertility, a bicornuate uterus can make getting pregnant challenging and put a women into a high-risk category if she does conceive. These women are often told they will have difficulty conceiving, if at all, and are at high risk for miscarriage(63%) as well as pre-term delivery (15-25%). Because a uterus with a bicornuate chamber has less room than a normally shaped uterus, the possibility a baby will be born breech increases in a partial bicornuate to 40 – 50%.
A bicornuate uterus is usually detected during an initial ultrasound during pregnancy, if it hadn’t been detected earlier. It can also be detected through an MRI.
Having a bicornuate uterus is estimated to occur in approximately in 0.1 – 05.% of women living in the United States. It should be noted this is likely an underestimate, as many cases of bicornuate uterus go undetected.
Some symptoms experienced by women who have a bicornuate uterus include abdominal pain, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, and painful ovulation. Women with these symptoms should advise their doctors and ask for an ultrasound to rule out the possibility of bicornuate uterus.
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anon243431
Post 5 |
I found out I have a heart shaped womb after a small bleed early on in pregnancy. I only have irregular periods and had no idea any thing was 'abnormal'. I did go on to have a normal pregnancy and a labour lasting only 7 1/2 hours with no pain relief! Not out of choice, I hasten to add. I was told to wait in the day room as I was only in the very early stages and when the new midwife on duty checked me six hours later I was ready to push. My hubby was gutted he didn't get a go on the gas and air. I did have to deliver with the aid of a ventouse but was home a day and a half later. I wanted to share this as after looking up this condition during pregnancy I started to worry as there seemed to be a lot of unfortunate tales and sad stories. I hope if I choose to have more kids it goes as smoothly again. |
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anon238686
Post 4 |
I am currently 28 years old and have been suffering for over ten years. I haven't been able to work in three years. I was forced to leave college after three years as a result of the constant pain. I filed bankruptcy at age 20 from all the doctor bills. After dozens of ER visits, I was told I have a bicornuate uterus and ovarian cysts. I was told I may also have endometriosis. These entries sound just like me! Were you ever able to make the pain stop? I have no idea what to expect. |
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anon205957
Post 3 |
I am a 32 year old woman with a bicornuate uterus. I first realized I had the problem in my early 20s. I was admitted to the hospital with terrible pelvic pain and after a series of CT scans and MRIs they told me I have this. I had a septum growing in the middle of my uterus as well, making my pregnancy chances even lower. The doctor did surgery to remove the septum and thought hopefully, with it removed I would be able to conceive. After a year I was pregnant, and even though I was high risk, my pregnancy went smoothly, and I delivered a healthy baby girl. After my daughter was born I had extreme pelvic pain again, and I even went to a GI and was diagnosed with IBS. After I was on meds, my symptoms seemed to disappear, but sadly returned with a vengeance. I had extreme pain again and went back to my doctor. He finally told me now that I had health insurance which I did not have for awhile, and in that time could do nothing, to go and see an OBGYN. I went to the same OB who did my surgery because I trusted her, even though I had not seen her in years. After her exam, she mentioned endometriosis. I cringed at the thought, for I knew others with this problem and it can be bad. My doctor said there was no way to tell this other than lapro surgery. After this surgery, we found that I did have endometriosis, but it wasn't bad enough for all this pain. Needless to say, my doctor and I were not seeing eye to eye, and I felt as if no one believed a word I was saying. Due to some people taking total advantage of pain meds, the doctor assumed this was my situation as well, not believing for a minute that I was telling the truth. My pain is bad and has not come to an end. After my cousin went through all the same things, she had an ER doctor do research and to our amazement, having a bicornuate uterus can cause extreme pelvic pain, and none of the doctors I saw ever told me this. So, I send that ER doctor and WiseGeek.com all my thanks. After years, I feel like I might have an answer. I am in the process of looking for a new OB and when I find one, this is the article I am taking with me, along with all of the surgery photos. That way, there is no miscommunication. Thanks again, Shay |
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anon175509
Post 2 |
when i started my period at nine years old, i had extreme pain and bleeding. they were also very irregular, and stress made it worse. by the time i was 14 i was on my period for sometimes three to four months straight and would be off for another three to four months. i ended up with a hemoglobin at 6 and had 6 pints of blood pumped into me at age of 14. I had extreme pain, so bad to where i could hardly move even to go to the bathroom. i would miss so much school it was a wonder i even passed. The doctor would have to prescribe me pain meds after i turned 15, so i would be able to go to school and work after i turned 16. they put me in a wooden cylinder and spun me around, taking pictures. nothing was abnormal, they said. well, i got pregnant at 22, in 2001, and they took all kinds of sonograms because i had a band of tissue in my placenta, but said nothing was abnormal. my daughter was born five weeks early, at only 4 lbs 3 ozs. then my periods finally started getting regular, but i still had extreme pain. then i got pregnant again in 2004. imagine my surprise when i found out i had a bicornuate uterus! i was put on bed rest and my second baby girl was born on time. my third was in 2007, but she was seven weeks early, but fine otherwise. Two things that need to happen: 1) all girls should get screened at birth for this defect. That way they know and are prepared for a lifetime of pain, suffering and anemia; 2) doctors should be allowed to prescribe pain meds to women like us. how are we supposed to work, clean house, and take care of kids when we are in so much pain we feel like a knife is stuck in our abdomen, like throwing up and feel dizzy? can we get on disability for this? |
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anon174073
Post 1 |
I have painful monthly periods due to a bicornuate uterus, and need treatment for this pain. |
