Very often, the conception of a child turns into a real problem for future parents. The reason for this may be one or another disease. One of these diseases is uterine hypoplasia. What is it and is it possible to get rid of this ailment?
What is an infantile uterus?
Uterine hypoplasia (infantile, underdeveloped or hypoplastic uterus) is a pathological condition characterized by insufficient development of the main female organ. The consequence of the disease can be difficulties with conceiving, bearing a child or complete infertility. Only a doctor can diagnose uterine hypoplasia. What is it, he will tell you at the first reception.
Fully-formed uterus
The female uterus is the main reproductive organ. It is she who is responsible for the presence of the necessary female sex hormones, as well as the possibility of conception and bearing a child. It is this organ that is able to carry the baby, the field of which push it out with the help of contractions (contractions).
The uterus of a mature female body has certain characteristics that depend on the age of the patient. At the birth of a female child, the reproductive organ is only 3 cm, and its weight reaches 4 grams. Subsequently, the process of uterine reduction occurs, after which growth continues again. At the age of 4 years, the size of the genital organ is 2.5 cm on average, and its weight is 2.3 grams. To reach the age of 6 years, he has average parameters: 3 centimeters and 4 grams.
By the time puberty is reached, the size of the female uterus is changing. Her parameters depend on whether the girl gave birth to a child or not.
1. The uterine cavity of the nulliparous patient: thickness - 3.5 cm; width 4.7; length - 4.6 cm (deviations of 1-3 mm are possible).
2. Parameters in the presence of miscarriages: thickness - 3.8 cm; width - 5.5 cm; depth - 5.5 cm (deviations of 1-3 mm are possible).
3. The uterine cavity of the woman giving birth has the following characteristics: thickness - 4.1 cm; width - 5.5 cm; depth - 6 cm (deviations of 1-5 mm are possible).
After conception and in the process of bearing a baby, the uterus is constantly increasing in size. By the end of pregnancy, its parameters can reach 33 cm in length and weight of 1.6 kilograms. After successful childbirth, the reproductive organ begins to contract, but does not reach its original size. The size and weight of it increases slightly.
The cervix also has its standard sizes. On average, it is 1/3 of the size of the genital organ (30-35 mm in length and 30-50 mm in width). The shape of the neck depends on whether the woman gave birth to a child or not. For a nulliparous, she has a canonical figure, and for a woman giving birth, it has a cylindrical figure.
Causes of uterine hypoplasia
The causes of the disease can be not only the physical characteristics and congenital characteristics of the body, but also the living conditions of the girl. So, congenital uterine infantilism can be associated with:
- with an infectious disease;
- prolonged use of drugs;
- fetal growth retardation while in the womb;
- the use of harmful narcotic substances, including alcohol and smoking;
- harmful living and working conditions;
- abnormal chromosome formation in the body;
- the presence of genetic abnormalities and characteristics.
The development of the disease during the life and maturation of a girl can be associated with:
- with a hereditary factor;
- with serious loads, both physical and mental;
- with protracted colds;
- with the use of harmful narcotic substances, including alcohol;
- with a lack or excess of vitamins in the body;
- with strong psychological stress;
- with previous ovarian surgery;
- with incomplete development of the ovaries;
- with poor nutrition and, as a result, insufficient weight and excessive thinness;
- with diseases of the endocrine system;
- with chronic diseases.
Different degrees of uterine hypoplasia
The disease is characterized by the fact that by the time of puberty the uterus does not yet reach the appropriate size. Not only the genital organ itself, but also its individual organs and appendages may be underdeveloped. The relevant characteristics are established by the gynecologist during the initial examination and during the ultrasound examination. There are several different degrees of development of the disease:
1. Uterine hypoplasia of the 1st degree - the depth of the uterus reaches no more than 3.5 centimeters, with the cervix being the major part. With the development of this degree, the uterus is also called the germinal or vestigial.
2. Uterine hypoplasia of the 2nd degree - the depth of the genital organ can be from 3.5 to 5.5 cm, the cervix is somewhat smaller, about 3/1. The organ in this development is called childish or infantile.
3. 3 degree of the disease - when using the probe, the cavity depth is from 5 to 7 centimeters, and the ratio of the cervix to the uterus is already normal 1/3. Such characteristics are a slight deviation from the norm. The reproductive organ is called teenage or hypoplastic.
Signs of illness
The disease can develop at any age. The main symptom of a problem is a malfunction of the menstrual cycle or the late onset of menstruation. Uterine hypoplasia of the 1st degree is characterized by the presence of rare and scarce secretions. The disease in the 2nd and 3rd degrees is manifested by the late onset of menstruation (usually after 15-16 years). Allocations can be irregular, meager or, conversely, excessive. Premenstrual cider is also strongly manifested, pain, dizziness, nausea, and even fainting are possible.
The main signs of the disease are caused by factors such as:
- due to the small size, the female uterus does not have sufficient plasticity, therefore, during a rush of blood (before and during menstruation), its increase is painful;
- the underdevelopment of the cervical canal is characterized by its increased long and narrow passage, when the mucosa moves, pressure increases, which causes pain.
- improper and inharmonious development of the genital organ causes disconnected contractions, which can cause pain.
The doctor can determine the symptoms of the disease already during the initial examination. Among the external signs of the girl can be identified:
- short stature;
- thinness;
- rare vegetation in the armpits and pubis;
- poor development of the mammary glands and chest for their age.
Uterine hypoplasia in girls can be characterized by such signs of a lag in the development of the genital organs:
- small labia, not covering the clitoris;
- small size of the vagina;
- the cervix is long and poorly developed;
- retracted clitoris.
A very common problem for girls with uterine infantilism is the inability to get pregnant, frequent miscarriages, low libido, and lack of orgasm.
Possible complications associated with the disease
Uterine hypoplasia is often accompanied by concomitant diseases and complications. It could be:
- bleeding after childbirth;
- poor pipe patency;
- tubal pregnancy;
- early and severe toxicosis;
- preterm delivery;
- complications during labor;
- infertility;
- severe pregnancy;
- high risk of miscarriage;
- the development of the inflammatory process;
- uterine diseases (endometrial hypoplasia - as a possible consequence of the disease is a thinning of the intrauterine layer, to which the embryo attaches during conception).
Establishing diagnosis
Only a specialist can make a diagnosis, so if you have symptoms of the disease, you should immediately contact a specialist. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor performs an initial examination, as well as a conversation with the patient. After carrying out the necessary procedures, it is possible to assign additional measures:
- functional diagnostics testing to determine the nature of anovulation;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- tests to determine the level of hormones in the body (prolactin, progesterone, ketosteroids and others);
- measurement of the width of the pelvic bone (a narrow pelvis is one of the indicators of the disease);
- setting the level and degree of bone development;
- X-ray of the skull bones;
- MRI of the brain.
Disease treatment
In the treatment of uterine hypoplasia of the 1st degree , as well as other degrees, normalization of nutrition has a great influence. The diet of the girl should be rich in all necessary elements and vitamins. We must not forget about the psychological component. It is recommended to exclude stress and excessive emotional stress.
The basis for the treatment of the disease is the use of hormonal drugs. Their reception is, as a rule, several months. Breaks are made only for the duration of menstruation. After the course, a gap of several months is made, after which the course is repeated. The use of hormone therapy with timely treatment helps to significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease in stages 2 and 3 of the disease. Stimulating the body allows you to increase the size of the uterus to almost normal and regulate the course of menstruation. Uterine hypoplasia of the 1st degree , as a rule, requires long-term treatment, and hormone replacement therapy is of a character.
Additionally, vitamin complexes are prescribed, the intake of which should be done periodically.
Possible additional treatments
Doctors often prescribe additional procedures to achieve maximum results. As a rule, these are physiotherapeutic procedures. They can be:
- magnetotherapy;
- use of a laser;
- electrical stimulation;
- UHF;
- paraffin;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture.
Often, positive results are obtained by visiting sanatoriums and resorts, accompanied by swimming in sea water, treatment with mud and salt. Appointed and actively used therapeutic exercises and massage.
Uterine hypoplasia and pregnancy
After a girl hears a "diagnosis of uterine hypoplasia", "is it possible to get pregnant with such a disease" is her first question.
The development and presence of the consequences of the disease are associated with the degree of development of the disease, the time of contacting the doctor and the correctness of treatment. The second and third stages of the disease are reversible. With the right approach, treatment of stage 3 does not take much time. After reaching the normal size of the uterus, there is the possibility of conception, as well as a happy birth of a child. The treatment of the disease in the second stage is a more complex process, which takes a lot of time and effort. Even despite prolonged treatment, pregnancy may not occur. Uterine hypoplasia of the 1st degree almost always eliminates the conception and bearing of a child. With the right approach in treatment, in vitro fertilization is possible, that is, the use of the services of a surrogate mother.
findings
Thus, health should be monitored at any age, and if you notice signs of the disease, you should not postpone the visit to the doctor. Timely treatment and proper treatment is the first step towards recovery.