Closely monitoring your body – right from the stage you plan a baby, till you deliver – helps to detect serious complications, including genetic abnormalities such as a septate uterus.
A septate uterus or septate uteri is a deformity that occurs during fetal development before birth. Here, a septum membrane divides the inner area of uterus from the middle.
Studies have proved that women with a septate uterus have a higher chance of pregnancy loss, fetal malpresentation, and preterm birth. It can also be a key factor in recurrent miscarriages. The number of miscarriages in women with a septate uterus is believed to be anywhere between 25 per cent to 47 per cent, which is an alarming number.
While a septate uterus is one of the most common uterine development, it can be treated. We dive deep into this abnormality and explain how it can be treated to enable a healthy pregnancy.
What Is Septate Uterus?
A septate uterus is a deformity of the uterus where a thin membrane called the septum runs down the middle of the uterus. It divides the uterus into two parts and this divided septum is usually fibrous and muscular and can be thin or thick.
While it does pose risk to pregnancy, specially higher chances of a miscarriage, a minor surgery can correct this deformity. Do remember that having a septate uterus does not affect your ability to conceive, but it can complicate the pregnancy.
The Three Types Of Septate Uterus
Septate uteri can be of any of the three types including partial, complete, and uteri and vagina septate. In all the three cases, the uterus is divided into two parts but in different ways and including different organs.
- Partial septate uterus: In this condition, the septum tissue doesn’t include the cervix and so it only partially divides the uterus.
- Complete septate uterus: Here, the septum includes the cervix as it divides the uterus.
- Septate uterus and vagina: In this case, the septum extends into the vagina.
Septate Uterus Symptoms And Causes
A septate uterus forms during the embryo development stage. It is when the tubes that eventually become one uterus don't fuse together properly. The cause of this genetic abnormality is unknown.
Septate uterus symptoms generally include an unusual pain before or during menstruation. Or when a tampon may not be able to prevent menstrual blood from leaking.
Septate Uterus Symptoms: How Does It Affect Pregnancy?
The septum is a fibrous tissue that doesn’t have much blood supply. So when the fertilised egg implants on the septum, it has a low chance of developing normally as the nutritional source is cut off.
Diagnosis Of Septate Uterus
In many cases, a septate uterus may remain undiagnosed till a woman experiences repeated miscarriages. Alternatively, the doctor may find out about this condition during a routine ultrasound scan. Here's how doctors diagnose a septate uterus:
- The doctor may conduct a standard 2D pelvic ultrasound that can easily detected this abnormality.
- An MRI is a more effective way to identify problems related to the uterus.
- Post the pelvic examination, your doctor may use a hysterosalpingogram or a hysteroscopy. A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray that highlights the inner uterus and fallopian tubes. On the other hand, for hysteroscopy, your doctor will insert a lighted instrument into the vagina and through the cervix to get a clear view of the uterus.
Treatment Of Septate Uterus
A septate uterus is treatable. Your doctor may recommend a surgery called a metroplasty. The procedure is relatively easy as there is no need for an outer abdominal incision. Instead, it can be completed with a hysteroscopy.
During this treatment, a lighted instrument will be inserted into your vagina, through the cervix, and into the uterus. Then the doctor inserts another instrument to cut and remove the septum. It takes almost an hour to complete the procedure. You can even return home on the same day after the procedure after the doctor gives you the green signal.
After the surgery, there might be some usual side effects like bleeding for a day or two as well as some cramping. You may be recommended to use a sanitary napkin as tampons may increase the risk of infection after the surgery. You need to consult your doctor immediately if you experience excessive bleeding and pain after the surgery.
Studies have proved that post-surgery, about 50 to 80 percent of the women with a history of recurrent miscarriage would go on to have healthy pregnancies. In fact, almost 20 percent of women who were unable to conceive previously, can get pregnant after the treatment as well.
A septate uterus is the most common uterine abnormality that can increase the chances of a miscarriage or a recurrent miscarriage. However, it is not a life-threatening problem. Women who do not chose to have kids can live a normal life without any problem as it poses no threat to normal functioning of the body.
But if you actively trying to get pregnant, its best to get a test for septate uetrus and follow it up with the surgery to increase your chances of conception.
Source: Healthline, WebMD
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