Uterus didelphys or double uterus is a congenital condition women are born with, which means that the person has two uteruses. This condition is rare. Only 0.3% of people suffer from it, but it still does occur, and women who are born with a uterus didelphys can also have a double urethra, anus, cervix, or bladder.
Uterus didelphys develop while the baby is growing, where the two Mullerian ducts do not join properly together, and a hollow organ, i.e., the womb, is not developed. Still, two smaller cavities form, one for each channel. This abnormality creates two narrow uterus cavities instead of one of typical size. The uteruses have each their own ovary and fallopian tube. Usually, a uterus has a pear shape, but when you suffer from a “double vagina,” it looks like bananas.
When you are diagnosed with a condition such as a double uterus, it is essential to have a very good gynecologist in Doral. To be able to have guidance and support in treating this condition, make sure to make an appointment at Doral Beach Gynecology and get the best possible information and care.
Causes
Although the exact cause for this condition is unknown, experts have been researching this topic, and below we are bringing you some of the most common reasons why certain other developments in the body can affect the development of uterine didelphys.
- Certain previous genetic conditions
- Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome, where there are rare Mullerian duct abnormalities that can cause the blockage of one part of the double vagina
- Small kidneys or only one kidney
- Being born without a cervix, i.e., cervical agenesis
- A condition that causes the leakage of urine called congenital vesicovaginal fistula
- The bladder growing outside of the body in the uterus
- Being born without a vagina, i.e., vaginal agenesis
These are certain conditions that can significantly impact the development of a double uterus condition, but, as said, it is still to be determined what the exact cause of this issue is.
Symptoms of Double Uterus
There is a large number of women who do not even know that they are suffering from this condition. Two vaginas condition very often does not cause any symptoms, and the patients usually discover this when they have their regular pelvic exam.
When the symptoms do occur, here is what they could entail:
- Painful cramps during your period and before it starts
- Heavy bleeding during the period
- Painful sexual relations
- Severe menstrual pain
- Recurrent miscarriages
- Early labor
- Blood leakage while having a tampon
Prevention
Prevention of the “two vaginas” condition is not possible because it is congenital and it occurs during the development of the baby in utero. It is still unknown whether these characteristics are ancestral and why they happen.
How to Diagnose This Condition?
Often, doctors find out that you suffer from uterine didelphys during a regular pelvic check-up, a pap smear, or a consultation about pregnancy or menstrual cycle issues. If the chosen medical professional sees specific abnormalities, imaging tests might be an option to examine further the condition, the size of the two vaginas, and the shape of the womb and to establish a diagnosis.
Here are the possible imaging tests:
- Ultrasound: where the images can be taken by performing a transvaginal or an abdominal ultrasound, with the help of a high-frequency sound wave
- MRI: magnetic resonance imaging where the scanners create high-quality pictures of the womb, with the help of radio waves and the magnetic field
- Hysterosalpingography: using a particular type of dye, which gets inserted into the womb, the X-ray images follow the dye through the body and give a better overview of the condition
- Sonohysterogram: using a dye that is injected into the uterus through the cervix, the pictures of the uterus are created by an ultrasound
Treatment and Complications of Complete Uterus Didelphys
Many experts and healthcare professionals advise not treating uterus didelphys if no symptoms occur. The surgery carries its risks and can have a significant effect on the strength and functionality of your repaired uterus. A substantial number of women who suffer from this condition have a very regular sexual life, unproblematic pregnancies, and labor without complications.
In case your symptoms are unmanageable, and you experience pains and aches, then doctors handle this condition by performing a surgery that involves merging the two channels into one in order to create one uterus. The removal of tissue between the “two vaginas” help doctors create one functioning womb.
Complete uterus didelphys can cause infertility and some other complications in patients suffering from this condition. Although the shape of the womb does not affect the process of conception and impregnation, it still increases the risk of miscarriages. This happens because the uterus is smaller in size, and that can restrict the fetus’s growth, as well as have an effect on the placenta and blood flow. Sometimes women have repeated late miscarriages, and this is an excellent reason to consult your chosen doctor about potential surgery.
When it comes to potential complications caused by uterus didelphys, we are bringing you a list where you can see that although pregnancy rates are not lowered due to the condition, there are still risks that patients have to have in mind:
- Multiple pregnancy losses
- Preterm labor
- Breakage of the tissue, i.e., vaginal septum between the two channels, during labor
- Babies facing feet first, i.e., breech baby
- Need for C-section delivery
- Insufficient baby birth weight
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Issues with kidneys
- Restriction of growth in utero
Different experts look at the topic of natural birth versus C-section in women who suffer from Uterus didelphys in different ways. Some consider that natural birth is possible, but many of them recommend a C-section because it is the safest option and it saves the patient from potential breakage of tissue.
So, to summarize, uterine didelphys is a condition that might be risky and cause issues during pregnancies, but it is not a rule. Many women have stable pregnancies and complication-free labor with healthy babies even though they suffer from this condition.
Visit Us
Any issue concerning reproductive health is stressful and causes discomfort in patients. When a condition is characterized by a lack of information on the causes of the disease, as is the case with uterine didelphys and the treatment options are pretty limited, that can only be additionally nerve-racking. Our expert team has been working on issues such as these with many patients, and they will ensure that you are supported and informed as much as possible on all the potential options when suffering from this condition.
That being said, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to schedule an appointment with our experts and visit our practice.