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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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Infertility |
Retroverted uterus & maybe infertility?07/05/2007 |
I am 25 years old, my husband is 28. We have been trying to conceive since I came off the birth control pill in August/September 2006. On a recent visit to my GP, I had a pelvic exam and found out that I have a retroverted uterus. I have read that 20-30% of women have this, and I know that it is the reason for my painful menstruation (both cramps and lower back pain) and the pain I experience during intercourse. I am also aware that it is not meant to cause problems with conception. However, seeing as we are both quite young, and statistics say a healthy young couple should be pregnant within around 5 months when intercourse is timed correctly (which we have every month), I am starting to lose faith in our natural ability to conceive. Should I be pushing the issue with my GP to get further tests done earlier than the 12 month benchmark, or should I be patient, and possibly "waste" another two to three months on unsuccessful conception attempts?Also, regarding a retroverted uterus, how much pain (during intercourse and menstrual pain) is too much? When should UPLIFT be considered?
And one last question, before I went onto the birth control pill at 17yo, I had extremely painful and very heavy periods (I basically needed to overdose on paracetemol in order to cope with the pain, and would go through numerous "super" pads/tampons on the 4 heaviest days). Since coming off the birth control pill, I have very light, painful periods, where the pain is still there, but now almost tolerable without pain tablets, and my heaviest flow now can be classed only as "light flow" and lasts for only two or three days, with another 3 or so days of spotting. Could this, along with the fact that I have a retroverted uterus, possibly indicate endometriosis or any other problems that may impede my fertility?
Regarding pregnancy statistics, approximately 70% of patients who are trying become pregnant by 6 months, so you are still within the norm at this point in that regard.
Painful periods could be a sign of endometriosis. If you have severe pain with your periods (to the point where you miss school, work, or other activities) and/or significant pain with intercourse, you may wish to discuss the possibility of laparoscopy (telescope through the bellybutton) to evaluate/treat further. As your periods currently appear to be only mildly painful, I would recommend doing an ultrasound to make sure that there are no cysts or endometriosis in the ovaries. If not, you could then try on your own until the 12 month mark.
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Daniel B Williams, MD Formerly: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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