Uterine hypoplasia is an anomaly characterized by the fact that the organ is smaller in size than it should be in accordance with both age and physiological norms.
In order to avoid dangerous complications, it is very important to diagnose the pathology in a timely manner and undergo a course of treatment. You can make an appointment with a doctor by calling the number listed on the website or using the booking button.
In addition to the reduced size of the uterus, patients often have tortuous fallopian tubes that are longer than usual. It is also common for women with an infantile uterus to have underdeveloped ovaries and vagina.
If the normal size of the uterus in length in nulliparous women of reproductive age is 7 centimeters, then with hypoplasia the uterus is reduced. Depending on how much the organ lags behind in development, several degrees of uterine hypoplasia are distinguished.
Degrees of uterine hypoplasia
- Hypoplasia 1st degree
The fetal uterus has a length not exceeding 3 centimeters, almost entirely due to the cervix, since the uterine cavity itself is practically not formed.
- Hypoplasia 2nd degree
A child's uterus from 3 to 5 centimeters is characterized by a ratio of the length of the body of the uterus to the cervix in the proportion of 1:3.
- Hypoplasia 3rd degree
The teenage uterus measures from 5.5 to 7 centimeters.
Diagnostics
Primary diagnosis is based on identification and assessment of external signs:
- small labia;
- lack of hair in the genital area;
- short vagina;
- the cervix is elongated...
The main way to determine the infantile uterus is an ultrasound of the uterus. This study helps to establish the degree of development of the pathology. Additionally, the gynecologist prescribes blood tests for hormones (estradiol, testosterone, LH, prolactin, FSH, progesterone, T3, T4, TSH).
Additional techniques are hysterosalpingoscopy, showing the degree of patency of the fallopian tubes, MRI.
Causes of uterine hypoplasia
Underdevelopment of the uterus can be either congenital or acquired. In the first case, there is a negative impact of external factors on the fetus during pregnancy. However, in some cases, a normally formed uterus in girls who have not reached puberty begins to lag behind in development. This is due to hormonal imbalance, which can be caused by psycho-emotional and physical overload, vitamin deficiency, strict diets, and infectious diseases.
Features of the development of hypoplasia
The content of the article
Uterine hypoplasia can develop at any age. The main reason leading to the progression of uterine hypoplasia is a deficiency of hormones responsible for the development of the organs of the reproductive system.
Secondary causes of progression of uterine hypoplasia:
- malfunction of the thyroid gland;
- developmental delay in the prenatal period;
- chronic intoxication of the body;
- past infectious diseases, as well as their complications;
- surgical interventions on the organs of the reproductive system.
Additional reasons indicated by scientists are nicotine or drug addiction, mental disorders of various types, anorexia, hypovitaminosis and others.
Symptoms of uterine hypoplasia
Signs of uterine hypoplasia can be more or less pronounced, depending on the degree of pathology:
- Late menarche, which occurs after 16 years. Normally, the first menstruation occurs between the ages of 10 and 15 years.
- Menstrual irregularities such as algomenorrhea and oligomenorrhea. In patients with uterine hypoplasia, both hypo- and hypermenorrhea can be observed. The latter may be due to the fact that the muscular layer of the uterus is not developed enough, which means that the organ has weak contractility.
- Delay in general physical development: short stature, secondary sexual characteristics are either completely absent or weakly expressed.
- Infertility.
- Complications during pregnancy and childbirth: recurrent miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, severe toxicosis, weak labor, postpartum hemorrhage.
- Inflammatory diseases of the cervix and uterine body (cervicitis, endometritis, endocervicitis) caused by weak local immunity
Types and stages
Main types of disease:
- Focal adenomyosis. Tissue proliferation occurs in the form of individual foci.
- Nodular adenomyosis. The main symptom is adenomyomas (nodes), shaped like fibroids. They are represented by cavities with a dense shell and blood filling.
- Diffuse adenomyosis. One of the complex forms in which individual foci are not observed in the endometrium.
- Diffuse nodular form of adenomyosis. Signs of nodular and diffuse forms are observed.
What degrees of adenomyosis exist:
- First. Only the submucosal layer of the endometrium is affected.
- Second. The cells spread to the muscle layer, but affect no more than half of its depth.
- Third. The submucosal layer and more than 50% of the depth of the muscular layer are affected.
- Fourth. The process already affects the entire muscle layer, and can also affect neighboring tissues.
Uterine hypoplasia and pregnancy
The likelihood of pregnancy and pregnancy depends on the degree of uterine hypoplasia. So, with congenital hypoplasia of the 1st degree, when the uterine cavity is practically absent, bearing a child is impossible. At the same time, with grade 3 hypoplasia, independent pregnancy is possible, but the likelihood of complications increases, and therefore the expectant mother needs to be under close supervision of specialists.
If independent pregnancy and ovarian function are preserved, a surrogacy procedure may be recommended.
If you have any questions related to uterine hypoplasia, you can ask them to the doctors at Nova Clinic.
In order to avoid dangerous complications, it is very important to diagnose the pathology in a timely manner and undergo a course of treatment. You can make an appointment with a doctor by calling the number listed on the website or using the booking button.
Diagnostics and treatment in our clinic
Our clinic specialists will conduct a comprehensive examination to determine the degree of infantility of the uterus, as well as select the optimal treatment tactics. The tests that you will be asked to undergo include a standard gynecological examination, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, and hormonal blood tests.
As for the treatment of this disease, you need to be prepared for the fact that this process can be quite complicated. Remember: the success of therapy depends entirely on whether you seek help in a timely manner. The main method of treating pathology is hormonal therapy, designed to compensate for the lack of your own sex hormones, as well as to activate certain processes in the body.
In addition to hormone replacement therapy, the doctor may prescribe a therapeutic diet, special gynecological massage, and physiotherapeutic procedures. In most cases, proper treatment helps to increase the chances of successful conception and a favorable course of pregnancy.
Is it possible to warn?
Severe uterine hypoplasia is usually a congenital pathology, so it is difficult to prevent the development of the disease. However, thoughtful planning of pregnancy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eliminating the influence of harmful factors can reduce risks.
It is important to pay attention to the development of girls during puberty during the formation of the body. For the full formation of the reproductive system, you should avoid harmful factors, hypothermia, excessive stress, and bad habits. It is worth giving up diets in favor of a nutritious healthy diet.
Complications
Polyps in the uterus change the properties of the endometrium, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant and thereby preventing pregnancy.
In case of successful conception in the presence of neoplasms in the uterus, the risk of miscarriage or stopping the development of the embryo is significantly higher. In addition to infertility, patients with uterine polyps may develop iron deficiency anemia - as a result of large blood loss during or in the intervals between menstruation. This condition is characterized by general weakness, drowsiness, apathy or irritability, decreased performance, brittle hair and nails, and weakened immunity. With severe anemia, shortness of breath, dizziness, and possible loss of consciousness occur. Adenomatous polyps have a high probability of degenerating into cancerous tumors.
What is needed to confirm the diagnosis?
A gynecologist can assume the presence of uterine hypoplasia during examination when there are signs of general infantilism. During a vaginal examination, attention will be drawn to underdevelopment of the vulva, scant hair growth, a short and narrow vagina, and a disproportionate ratio of the uterus to the cervix. The leading criterion is a reduction in the size of the uterus.
Data from laboratory and instrumental studies help determine the diagnosis.
Ultrasound diagnostics provides the most information.
In addition to the reduced size, flattening of the uterine body and a pronounced anterior tilt - hyperanteflexia - will be characteristic. The fallopian tubes are usually long and twisted, which increases the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy. Often, with general infantilism, ultrasound can detect ovarian hypoplasia. This is associated with a decrease in the formation of sex hormones, so determining the concentration of steroids plays a significant role in the diagnosis of uterine underdevelopment.
Another study that helps confirm uterine hypoplasia is hysterosalpingography (HSG). The uterine cavity and fallopian tubes are filled with a special contrast agent, after which a series of x-rays are taken. The resulting image allows you to see a small uterus with long fallopian tubes, which allows you to confirm the diagnosis.
To determine the hormonal status, the level of hormones in the blood is determined (androgens, estrogens, prolactin, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, T3, T4 - thyroid hormones).
In doubtful cases, the attending physician has the right to order an X-ray of the skull and an MRI of the brain.
Treatment approaches
Therapeutic tactics are determined by the severity of the disease and the reasons for the development of hypoplasia.
Hormonal drugs
The main treatment is to correct hormonal imbalances. Based on hormone levels, replacement therapy in a cyclic mode is indicated. The selection of drugs is carried out by an obstetrician-gynecologist. If there is a lack of sex hormones, artificial analogues of estrogens and gestagens are selected (Estrofem, Duphaston, Femoston, Microfollin, Ovestin). The choice of drugs is purely individual, as it depends on the concentration of steroids and the response to the drugs. If you have concomitant diabetes mellitus or thyroid pathologies, you will need to consult an endocrinologist.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used as an auxiliary method. Mud therapy and baths, UHF, laser therapy, magnet, ozokerite and paraffin applications are widely used. The procedures help improve blood supply to the pelvic organs, endometrial growth, and stimulate the production of hormones by the ovaries. A good effect is achieved by gynecological massage, which allows you to increase the elasticity of the ligamentous apparatus, eliminate hyperanteflexion, increase blood supply and contractility of the myometrium.
Vitamins and diet
A balanced diet helps maintain the body's defenses. The diet must contain animal proteins, as well as fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. It is worth abandoning “starvation” diets, vegetarianism, raw food diet, and overeating. Taking vitamin complexes in courses has a general strengthening effect, improves tissue nutrition and increases the ability to regenerate.
ethnoscience
Traditional medicine is an auxiliary method and should be used only after consulting a specialist. The most commonly used are herbal infusions. Decoctions of hogweed, knotweed, and sage contain natural phytoestrogens and help normalize hormonal levels. Chamomile, St. John's wort, and calendula are used for anti-inflammatory purposes. Extracts of valerian, oregano, and lemon balm have a calming effect.
It is important to understand that any non-traditional treatment methods will not give a therapeutic effect, so using folk remedies is permissible only after consulting a specialist.
