"There is no other organ quite like the uterus. If men had such an organ they would brag about it. So should we."
— Ina May Gaskin
I have a what?
I am not blessed with a wonderful gynecologist. Only time will tell as to whether I will have the nerve to change to yet another doctor who isn't informative or pleasant to me. There is something that I learned from this particular doctor though: I have a retroverted uterus. I found this out earlier this year during my first appointment with her. She didn't volunteer any information as to what this was and I was so freaked out about being there in the first place that I didn't ask. I later had questions racing through my mind though.
Was this causing my severe cramping during periods?
Does this mean that I'm infertile?
Is this why I can't easily do all sexual positions?
A retroverted uterus is when the uterus has tilted back toward the rectum. Guess what? There are also other types of tilted uteruses. The most common types are the anteverted uterus (tipped forward toward the front of the abdomen) and the anteflexed uterus (when the body and fundus of the uterus flex forward at the cervix). A retroflexed uterus is when the uterus is flexed backward, like a back bend.
Yes, a retroverted or retroflexed uterus can cause worse PMS than the general population may experience because when the uterus is not in the best position it restricts the flow of blood and lymph.
No, a retroverted uterus doesn't mean that you are infertile but it can cause challenges during pregnancy. It can cause lower back pain and constipation until the adhesions holding the uterus to the posterior wall break free under the increasing weight of the uterus during pregnancy.
When it comes to retroflexed or retroverted uteruses examinations, using sonograms can be more difficult than for other women. The position of the uterus causes it to be further away from the ultrasound camera. This makes it tough to image using transvaginal ultrasonography. A baby's heartbeat also will not be heard early on during the pregnancy. Plus retroflexion may cause retrograde blood flow into the abdominal cavity causing endometriosis.
Yes, for many women any type of tipped uterus can cause sexual positions to be uncomfortable. Some women have said on forums that they feel as though they are shallow on the inside and can't do deep positions. Others, such as myself, have it tipped in a different way but it can still make some positions, such as doggy style, difficult or impossible without aid. That's why I love my new sex pillow. Some women say that it feels as though they are getting hit in the cervix. I get hit in the pelvic bone. Neither is pleasant feeling.
Well personally, it just means that yet another part of me is unusual. Like most issues in life, we work with what we have. I can't eliminate the monthly pain caused by this. However I can control what positions I have sex in and how I'm positioned when I do so. I also don't plan to have any children but if I ever change my mind I can go into an OB/GYN's office and not freak out if the baby's heartbeat is difficult to hear or another similar problem arises.
Just like every other part of the female anatomy, uteruses seem to be different all around.
Mine became tilted during my last pregnancy and any sex during that whole time, was way too painful to bear. It has eased up somewhat but there still can be pain sometimes now, especially in doggy style. It is just usually way too painful to do more than a few minutes.
thanks so much for this article, I myself have difficulty doing certain positions for too long like doggy style, Its painful and feels like im getting hit in the pelvic bone or cervix not quiet sure but now im wondering if i should go see my gyno so he could check me and see if i have a tipped or tilted uterus, thanks so much for this!
Great article. I had no idea this was an issue. Thank you!