Tipped Uterus – What is it?
A tipped uterus, (or retroflexed uterus, tilted uterus, backward uterus, retroverted uterus, tilted womb) is a uterus that is tilted backwards towards the back of the pelvis rather than slightly forward.
How unusual is a tipped uterus?
Such a uterus is not at all uncommon and is estimated to affect 20% of women. Such a condition usually occurs from birth. However, there have been cases where women have ended up with a tipped uterus after labour and childbirth. Other possible reasons could also be diseases such as fibroid tumours or endometriosis (a condition where tissue that should grow in the uterus, travels and grows in another area).
Image source: iStock
How do I know if I have a tipped uterus?
Usually women who have a tipped uterus are not aware they have one. It is often overlooked especially since the symptoms are common to many other discomforts. Here are a few that usually confirm a tipped uterus.
- Back pain
- Urinary tract infections
- Pain during menstruation or intercourse
- Extreme discomfort using tampons.
- Pelvic pain
Oh crap! I have those symptoms. Now what?
If the above list has got you worried and you suspect you might have a tipped uterus, consult your doctor, who will conduct a pelvic exam on you. Although a tipped uterus can lead to difficulties in getting pregnant, it does NOT affect your fertility. If you should get pregnant, despite having a tipped uterus, the uterus will likely not tip back into position by the end of the first trimester.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – What is it?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID, is an infection that affects a woman’s ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus. There are many different types of bacteria that can cause PID but the most common ones are bacteria found in Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, two common sexually transmitted diseases (STD). If a person is infected with either of these STDs, it can usually take a few days or even a few months for it to become a case of PID. Often the patient does not even know that she is suffering from PID until a proper test is done.
How common is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
More than one million women are affected each year in the US alone. Women below the age of 25 are more likely to develop PID as their cervix is not fully matured and they are sexually more active making them more susceptible to STDs, which could then pave the way for PID.
Simply put, the higher your number of sexual partners, the higher your chances of contracting PID. Another thing to note is that most ectopic pregnancies occur due to the results of PID.
How do I know if I have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Like a tipped uterus, often women who have PID are unaware that they have it. So how do you know if you have it? Check out the list below to see if you have been suffering from the following:
- Pain in the lower back
- Yellow or green vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant smell.
- Fever, nausea, diarrhoea and chills
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain while urinating
- Irregular menstruation, spotting or cramps
Image source: iStock
I have some of those symptoms. What do I do now?
See your doctor as soon as you suspect you have PID. Do not wait too long as it may cause more harm to your system if left untreated. The doctor will most probably put you on a course of antibiotics, which should get rid of the bacteria.