- Written By: S.E. Smith
- Edited By: Kristen Osborne
- Last Modified Date: 15 April 2012
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
A unicornuate uterus is an unusually shaped uterus caused by errors during embryonic development. In a person with a unicornuate uterus, only half of the uterus has fully formed, with a single “horn” leading to one of the fallopian tubes. This condition is very rare. People can successfully get pregnant with this uterine abnormality, although having a unicornuate uterus does increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including pregnancy loss.
During embryonic development, two structures known as the Mullerian ducts eventually develop into the uterus. In some fetuses, only one duct fully develops. Unicornuate uteri can be variable in appearance. Sometimes, the undeveloped duct creates a sealed partial uterus. In some women, a partial second horn can be observed, although it is usually not connected to the fallopian tube.
This uterine abnormality is sometimes not diagnosed until a pregnant woman experiences complications and needs a Cesarean section. As soon as she is opened up in the operating room, the unusual shape of the uterus will be readily apparent. In other women, the anomaly may be noted during surgical procedures in the abdomen, including procedures like tubal ligations.
Having a unicornuate uterus can lead to fertility issues. Women who have difficulty conceiving may be run through a series of tests to determine the cause. If these tests include imaging studies of the uterus, the woman's unusually shaped uterus may become visible. However, imaging studies cannot always reliably pick up a unicornuate uterus.
Women with this congenital disorder are at risk of pregnancy complications because the uterus is smaller, and it is possible for the pregnancy to implant in a bad location, potentially leading to rupture. Pregnant women who know they have unicornuate uteri should make sure their obstetricians are aware so plans can be made to keep the pregnancy as safe as possible. Something else to be aware of with this anomaly is that sometimes a kidney is missing or misshapen as well. This can require taking some special precautions to maintain kidney health in the remaining fully functional kidney.
The causes of unicornuate uterus formation are not fully understood. In some cases, environmental exposures during embryonic development can lead to anatomical abnormalities. In other instances, there are no known risk factors for anomalies or it is difficult to identify risk factors because the uterine abnormality is identified so late, it is difficult to get accurate information about environmental exposures during the patient's embryonic development.
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anon261249
Post 6 |
@panda2006: It absolutely causes pain. From my first period to my partial hysterectomy, nothing could take that pain away. I had a pregnancy in the rudimentary horn, and it plus my tube and ovary and baby were removed. After that time I no longer had pain. I had a functioning rudimentary horn, whereas many women with a UU do not. |
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panda2006
Post 5 |
@FernValley- I have a friend with this disorder. It usually does not cause pain, and it's hard to even know that you have it unless you are trying to conceive. You might have a cyst, fibroids, or another issue, though. |
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FernValley
Post 4 |
Is it possible for this to be a cause of uterus pain as well? I have had a lot of issues, both during menstruation and at other times, and am still trying to narrow down causes. Since I have not tried to get pregnant before, my doctor has not checked me for things like this. |
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sapphire12
Post 3 |
@mabeT- I think that you should be able to find this through an ultrasound or MRI. If you have ever had one for another reason, such as menstrual issues or uterus fibroids, they might already have checked for it. However, it wouldn't hurt to ask your doctor and see if another test might be worth it. |
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mabeT
Post 2 |
My husband and I have had some difficulty in conceiving, and I’ve been looking for solutions everywhere that I can.
Is this a disorder that is routinely tested for, or because of its rarity, is it largely overlooked?
I’m also wondering if there are any other signs or symptoms that a woman might have to indicate such a problem without it actually being visually noted by a physician.
Although we haven’t been trying as long as some people, we certainly are starting to get a little worried and a little scared. Heck, for all I know, it could be the stress of conceiving keeping us from actually getting pregnant!
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tlcJPC
Post 1 |
When my husband and I went through our own fertility issues, I was checked for this abnormality.
Thank goodness, the tests were negative and my uterus is as normal as they come, but it was scary to think of something like that being wrong.
I hear though that many women who have it do have children successfully, and sometimes with little difficulty. While there certainly are more risks involved, it is totally possible to have children and be just fine.
The reason, I think, that it can be harder to get pregnant with this sort of thing is because you’re only getting an egg every other month from the fallopian tube that is attached.
However, there is absolutely no reason that the eggs coming from the attached fallopian tube should not make a beautiful, healthy baby.
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