Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Retroverted uterusis a condition in which theuterus is positionedso that it tips backward toward the spine rather than forward toward the navel. It is often called a tilted uterus or tipped uterus.Retroverted uterus is a common, usually harmless condition that affects about one out of every five women.This article examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of retroverted uterus.Maskot/ Getty ImagesRetroverted Uterus SymptomsIn most cases, a retroverted uterus doesn’t cause any symptoms, and a person is unaware they have the condition.Though there are no specific symptoms, some side effects reported can include lowerback pain,pain during sex, andurinary tract infections (UTIs).Retroverted Uterus and Trying to ConceiveHaving a retroverted uterus itself does not make it harder to becomepregnant. However, underlying conditions that can cause a retroverted uterus, such asendometriosisorfibroids, can make it more difficult to conceive.A retroverted uterus is only considered a cause of infertility if all other possible causes have been ruled out.CausesIn most cases, a retroverted uterus is present at birth. Conditions or surgeries that cause adhesions or scarring in the pelvic area can also pull the uterus back and cause it to become retroverted. They include:EndometriosisPelvic inflammatory disease (PID)FibroidsPelvic infection or surgeryPregnancy,childbirth, andmenopausecan also lead to a retroverted uterus due to the stretching or weakening of the muscles and ligaments supporting the uterus.DiagnosisA healthcare provider can often determine what position the uterus is in with apelvic exam. A retroverted uterus can sometimes look like a fibroid or mass, and arectovaginal exammight become necessary.If whether the uterus is retroverted is still unclear, atransvaginal ultrasoundcan also assist in its diagnosis.TreatmentIn most cases, treatment for a retroverted uterus is unnecessary. However, any underlying causes may require treatment.If the retroverted uterus is causing symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommendknee-chest exercisesor avaginal pessaryto help reposition the uterus. However, these are both considered temporary solutions and may not help at all.Pregnancy With a Retroverted UterusFor most people with a retroverted uterus, the uterus stops tipping backward between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. This change of position typically causes no problems throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth.In rare cases, an incarcerated uterus occurs when the uterus becomes stuck within the pelvis during the second trimester, often leading to miscarriage.PrognosisIn most cases, a woman is unaware of having a retroverted uterus and does not experience any symptoms. If there are symptoms, underlying conditions might need treatment. The prognosis will depend on the underlying condition and its severity.In most cases, a retroverted uterus that occurs naturally and not from underlying causes does not prevent conceiving or normal pregnancy, labor, and birth.CopingRetroverted uteruses can cause painful symptoms, especially if there are underlying conditions. See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing pelvic pain or other symptoms interfering with your life.Although a retroverted uterus is not directly linked to infertility, if you are under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for more than one year, or over 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than six months, you should consult a healthcare provider who may need to refer you to a fertility specialist.SummaryA retroverted uterus is a common and typically harmless condition where the uterus tips backward instead of forward. Although a retroverted uterus is often present at birth, it can result from underlying conditions in which there are pelvic adhesions, scarring, or muscle and ligament weakness.Symptoms of a retroverted uterus can include menstrual pain, bowel difficulties, problems inserting tampons, and pain during sex. The retroverted uterus usually shows no signs and doesn’t require treatment. Having a retroverted uterus typically does not make it more difficult to conceive, carry a pregnancy, or give birth. However, underlying conditions that lead to a retroverted uterus can make it harder to get pregnant.
Retroverted uterusis a condition in which theuterus is positionedso that it tips backward toward the spine rather than forward toward the navel. It is often called a tilted uterus or tipped uterus.
Retroverted uterus is a common, usually harmless condition that affects about one out of every five women.
This article examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of retroverted uterus.
Maskot/ Getty Images
Retroverted Uterus Symptoms
In most cases, a retroverted uterus doesn’t cause any symptoms, and a person is unaware they have the condition.
Though there are no specific symptoms, some side effects reported can include lowerback pain,pain during sex, andurinary tract infections (UTIs).
Retroverted Uterus and Trying to ConceiveHaving a retroverted uterus itself does not make it harder to becomepregnant. However, underlying conditions that can cause a retroverted uterus, such asendometriosisorfibroids, can make it more difficult to conceive.A retroverted uterus is only considered a cause of infertility if all other possible causes have been ruled out.
Retroverted Uterus and Trying to Conceive
Having a retroverted uterus itself does not make it harder to becomepregnant. However, underlying conditions that can cause a retroverted uterus, such asendometriosisorfibroids, can make it more difficult to conceive.A retroverted uterus is only considered a cause of infertility if all other possible causes have been ruled out.
In most cases, a retroverted uterus is present at birth. Conditions or surgeries that cause adhesions or scarring in the pelvic area can also pull the uterus back and cause it to become retroverted. They include:
Pregnancy,childbirth, andmenopausecan also lead to a retroverted uterus due to the stretching or weakening of the muscles and ligaments supporting the uterus.
A healthcare provider can often determine what position the uterus is in with apelvic exam. A retroverted uterus can sometimes look like a fibroid or mass, and arectovaginal exammight become necessary.If whether the uterus is retroverted is still unclear, atransvaginal ultrasoundcan also assist in its diagnosis.
In most cases, treatment for a retroverted uterus is unnecessary. However, any underlying causes may require treatment.
If the retroverted uterus is causing symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommendknee-chest exercisesor avaginal pessaryto help reposition the uterus. However, these are both considered temporary solutions and may not help at all.
Pregnancy With a Retroverted UterusFor most people with a retroverted uterus, the uterus stops tipping backward between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. This change of position typically causes no problems throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth.In rare cases, an incarcerated uterus occurs when the uterus becomes stuck within the pelvis during the second trimester, often leading to miscarriage.
Pregnancy With a Retroverted Uterus
For most people with a retroverted uterus, the uterus stops tipping backward between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. This change of position typically causes no problems throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth.In rare cases, an incarcerated uterus occurs when the uterus becomes stuck within the pelvis during the second trimester, often leading to miscarriage.
In most cases, a woman is unaware of having a retroverted uterus and does not experience any symptoms. If there are symptoms, underlying conditions might need treatment. The prognosis will depend on the underlying condition and its severity.
In most cases, a retroverted uterus that occurs naturally and not from underlying causes does not prevent conceiving or normal pregnancy, labor, and birth.
Retroverted uteruses can cause painful symptoms, especially if there are underlying conditions. See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing pelvic pain or other symptoms interfering with your life.
Although a retroverted uterus is not directly linked to infertility, if you are under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for more than one year, or over 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than six months, you should consult a healthcare provider who may need to refer you to a fertility specialist.
Summary
A retroverted uterus is a common and typically harmless condition where the uterus tips backward instead of forward. Although a retroverted uterus is often present at birth, it can result from underlying conditions in which there are pelvic adhesions, scarring, or muscle and ligament weakness.
Symptoms of a retroverted uterus can include menstrual pain, bowel difficulties, problems inserting tampons, and pain during sex. The retroverted uterus usually shows no signs and doesn’t require treatment. Having a retroverted uterus typically does not make it more difficult to conceive, carry a pregnancy, or give birth. However, underlying conditions that lead to a retroverted uterus can make it harder to get pregnant.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.University of Florida Health.Retroversion of the uterus.Haylen BT.The retroverted uterus: Ignored to date but core to prolapse.Int Urogynecol J17, 555–558 (2006). doi:10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0RMA Fertility Clinic.Tilted or retroverted uterus: Is it harder to get pregnant?American Pregnancy Association.Tilted uterus.Complete Care Community Health Center.A useful guide to retroverted uterus.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.University of Florida Health.Retroversion of the uterus.Haylen BT.The retroverted uterus: Ignored to date but core to prolapse.Int Urogynecol J17, 555–558 (2006). doi:10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0RMA Fertility Clinic.Tilted or retroverted uterus: Is it harder to get pregnant?American Pregnancy Association.Tilted uterus.Complete Care Community Health Center.A useful guide to retroverted uterus.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.University of Florida Health.Retroversion of the uterus.Haylen BT.The retroverted uterus: Ignored to date but core to prolapse.Int Urogynecol J17, 555–558 (2006). doi:10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0RMA Fertility Clinic.Tilted or retroverted uterus: Is it harder to get pregnant?American Pregnancy Association.Tilted uterus.Complete Care Community Health Center.A useful guide to retroverted uterus.
Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.
University of Florida Health.Retroversion of the uterus.
Haylen BT.The retroverted uterus: Ignored to date but core to prolapse.Int Urogynecol J17, 555–558 (2006). doi:10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0
RMA Fertility Clinic.Tilted or retroverted uterus: Is it harder to get pregnant?
American Pregnancy Association.Tilted uterus.
Complete Care Community Health Center.A useful guide to retroverted uterus.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
