A small uterus has many names: scientifically it is called hypoplasia or infantilism, but popularly the term “baby uterus” is more often used.

Hypoplasia is an abnormal condition of the uterus. It is expressed in its small size (compared to the norm); it can appear not only during the development of the fetus during pregnancy, but also in the early childhood of the girl. It can be either embryonic (after all, the laying of such vital organs as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes begins during intrauterine development), and virgin, childhood (when the formation of these two types of hypoplasia occurs later).

Small uterus: reasons for its appearance

There are many reasons. It happens that a small uterus develops due to malnutrition and lack of vitamins. But most often, uterine infantilism develops after poisoning or serious illnesses. The most dangerous period is considered to be the age from eleven to fifteen years. After all, it is during this time range that this important organ for every woman is formed.

It happens that a small uterus does not develop due to the fact that the ovaries are not developed enough: the process is disrupted, the ovaries cannot produce the required amount of hormones.

With a child's uterus, other changes in the body can be observed: the fallopian tubes are tortuous, long, with a narrow lumen, there is hypoplasia of the labia minora and majora, and an irregularly shaped vagina. All these changes can be identified when visiting a gynecologist, both during a special outpatient examination and an inpatient examination.

with infantilism

If the length of the uterus is from 5.5 to 7 centimeters, then infantilism is at the stage of the virgin uterus. If from 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters, it means hypoplasia at the stage of the infant uterus, but if the uterus is no more than three and a half centimeters long, the diagnosis is embryonic uterus.

According to doctors, there are differences between the uterus that is susceptible to hypoplasia and the infantile one. In the first case, the appearance of the organ is completely normal, only the size does not correspond to the norm. But in the second case, there may be various branches, curvatures, and malformations of the uterus.

Medicinal method of treating infantilism

If you have been diagnosed with a baby uterus, treatment can only be determined by a medical professional. What modern medicine can offer us is the treatment of a small uterus with hormonal drugs. Why hormonal? Yes, because a lack of hormones is the main cause of underdevelopment of the uterus. And for the normal functioning of this organ, for it to acquire a normal size, treatment with hormonal drugs is necessary.

Be prepared for the fact that you may have to take them for quite a long period of time. Also, for uterine hypoplasia, various physiotherapy procedures are indicated. Such as a certain effect of currents of the required frequency on the woman’s lower abdomen, laser procedures, warming up. As a result, improvement occurs and, accordingly, it quickly takes on a normal physiological appearance.

Treatment of hypoplasia in a traditional way

If you have a small uterus, treatment with folk remedies may also give positive results. After all, most recipes have been tested by more than one generation of our ancestors. When using a traditional method of treating an illness, it is necessary to stock up on a component such as natural clay. The clay needs to be sifted, diluted with water, not warm, until the consistency of sour cream. Then cover the lower abdomen with the resulting composition, and put a regular plastic bag on top. The effect of the compress is approximately two hours. After the specified time, throw away the used clay. The next day, repeat the procedure using new clay. Instead of water, you can (another name for the herb) make an infusion from it. And it is best to combine the traditional method of treatment with the medications prescribed by the doctor.

It is then that the small uterus will definitely increase in size, reach normal levels and allow you to enjoy the joy of motherhood.

The normal size of the uterus is about 7 cm in length and about 4 cm in width. It is typical that women who have given birth have a larger size. The term small uterus speaks for itself and implies a decrease in the size of this organ. It could be infantilism. Moreover, infantilism is characterized by an uneven change in the size of the uterus - a large length of the cervix and a small size of the uterine body. And hypoplasia is characterized by a proportional decrease in all sizes of the uterus. Often, such developmental disorders are combined with excessive bending of the uterus forward (hyperanteflexia) or backward (hyperretroflexia).

Small uterus - causes and consequences

A small uterus develops when exposed to negative factors during the so-called critical periods for the development of the reproductive system. That is, during embryonic development and puberty. Among the main causes of a small uterus are:

• infectious diseases;
• endocrine diseases;
• insufficient consumption of nutrients, vitamins, microelements that are necessary for the full development of the body;
• sleep disturbance;
• stressful situations, nervous overstrain;
• severe concomitant diseases.

After we figured out what a small uterus means, it remains to understand the manifestations of this condition. The main consequences of a small uterus include the following:

1. Menstrual irregularities. This can be either painful periods or a complete absence of menstruation.
2. Infertility.
3. Due to disruption of the formation of the uterus, an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy may occur.
4. Frequent pregnancies.

Pregnancy and a small uterus

The reason for the lack of pregnancy in this case is concomitant hormonal disorders. Or the size of the uterus is so small that it makes the development of pregnancy simply impossible.

But don't despair. In some cases, in the absence of other abnormalities, pregnancy and childbirth with a small uterus go quite well.

So, now it remains to understand what to do if the uterus is small and find out ways to influence its size. Treatment of a small uterus is possible only if the cause is hormonal disorders. In such a situation, timely administration of medications will eliminate the deficiency of hormones necessary for normal formation of genital organs.

Procedures that stimulate uterine circulation are considered quite effective: gynecological massage of the uterus, thermal procedures. At the same time, with increased blood flow, more nutrients enter the uterine tissue. And, as a result, a slight increase in size. After all, when treating a small uterus, every additional millimeter is important. But the main thing is to prevent the development of a small uterus if possible. And this can be done through a timely fight against the above reasons.

It's no secret that many women fail to conceive a child the first time. There can be many reasons for this. However, expectant mothers are often given the disappointing diagnosis of a “small uterus.” In this article we will look at the features of pregnancy and the chances of having a healthy baby in this situation.

Normally, the uterus of a nulliparous girl should reach 7 cm in length and 40 g in weight. For women who have given birth, there are other normative indicators. The length of the uterus should not be less than 8-9 cm, and the weight of the organ should be in the range from 50 g to 70 g. The normal width is 4-5 cm. The formation and formation of the reproductive system begins during the period of intrauterine development. The uterus of a newborn girl reaches 3-4 cm, and at 7-8 years old its intensive growth begins. It acquires its final dimensions when the girl reaches the age of thirteen.

If the length of the uterus is insufficient, but its width is normal, then there should be no difficulties with the course of pregnancy. Today, experts trace the relationship between the state of the reproductive sphere and the emotional background. If a woman, after learning that her uterus does not meet the required standards, succumbs to stress, then this can provoke dysfunction of the reproductive organs. Emotional stress causes psychosomatic abnormalities, which can lead to such disappointing consequences.

There are 3 stages of this deviation:

• hypoplasia – a woman’s uterus corresponds to the size of a teenage organ;
• infantilism - with this pathology, a woman of reproductive age is diagnosed with a child’s uterus, which does not exceed 5.5 cm;
• aplasia is a deviation in which the size of a woman’s uterus corresponds to the uterus of a newborn girl and reaches only 3 cm.

The first and second stages are treatable, a woman has every chance of becoming pregnant and carrying a baby. Unfortunately, the third stage cannot be corrected, but in this case you should not despair. If ovarian function is preserved, conception is possible through in vitro fertilization.

Signs of a small uterus

1. One of the main signs indicating insufficient size of the uterus is delayed puberty. Menstruation begins at the age of 15-16 years.
2. Often, along with this problem, women experience underdevelopment of the labia, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
3. Hypoplasia of the uterus can also be determined based on the general physical characteristics of the girl. The presence of this pathology is evidenced by a narrow pelvis, short stature, narrow chest, and small breast size.
4. As adults, women experience little or no sexual desire.
5. Symptoms such as irregular cycles, complete absence of menstruation, pain, and problems with conception should alert you.

Reasons for deviation

The causes of deviations in the formation of the uterus are negative factors to which the girl was exposed during prenatal development and puberty.

1. This reproductive organ is formed at the last stage of the first - at the beginning of the second trimester. If a woman carrying a girl during this period is exposed to infectious diseases, encounters hormonal imbalances, and does not receive sufficient nutrients and vitamins, there is a possibility of developing this pathology.
2. Hypoplasia may be a consequence of disruption of the activity of the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that ensures the functioning of the endocrine glands. As well as hypofunction of the ovaries, which produce female sex hormones.
3. Diseases of the genitourinary system, viral infections, deficiency of nutrients and vitamins, heavy physical activity and stressful conditions, and exposure to toxic substances on the body can lead to similar consequences.

All these factors have a direct impact on a woman's reproductive ability when she reaches adulthood.

A small cervix during pregnancy can also hinder successful pregnancy. Normally, this organ has a cylindrical shape. However, if there are deviations, the shape of the neck resembles a cone. With cervical hypoplasia, fertilization occurs unhindered, but complications may arise during pregnancy. The cause of this is isthmic-cervical insufficiency. This means that the muscles in the area where the cervix connects to the uterus are weak. As a result, the reproductive organs are not able to support the fetus, whose weight is constantly increasing. There is a risk of miscarriage between 20 and 30 weeks.

Diagnosis of uterine size

The doctor gets an idea of ​​the size of the uterus based on an ultrasound examination. However, it is worth considering that diagnosis should not be limited only to this method. The small size of this organ does not always indicate the presence of pathology. A small uterus can be observed in women of asthenic physique in the absence of any problems in the reproductive sphere.

In addition to the ultrasound examination, a gynecological examination is performed. If the doctor detects a low height of the uterine fundus, this will confirm the diagnosis. Through a laboratory examination, it is necessary to determine the concentration of hormonal substances that are responsible for the development of the organs of the reproductive system, in particular the uterus. The uterine cavity is also examined.

Treatment of a small uterus

A small uterus during pregnancy can cause the embryo to develop outside the uterine cavity. Therapy is aimed at increasing it to a size that allows for trouble-free bearing of the fetus. To achieve this result, the woman is prescribed medications whose action is aimed at stabilizing the hormonal balance and stimulating organ growth. Vitamin preparations are also used for this purpose. In some cases, the situation can be normalized only with the help of vitamins and there is no need to take hormonal drugs.
In addition to medications, gynecological massage is also prescribed. This method helps improve blood circulation, which stimulates the growth of the uterus. It consists of massaging the external and internal reproductive organs. In addition, doctors recommend physiotherapeutic procedures - paraffin therapy, mud therapy, laser therapy, UHF.

There are also traditional methods of treating this pathology. But before using them, it is imperative to consult with a specialist. We should not forget that self-treatment may not only not give the desired result, but also aggravate the problem. One of the options offered by traditional medicine is the use of blue or red clay.

It needs to be crushed, sifted, and then water added. The consistency of the mixture should resemble thick sour cream. The clay prepared in this way is applied in a thick layer to the lower abdomen. Cover the mixture with a warm cloth or film for food purposes and leave for 2 hours. After this time, the clay is washed off. The procedure is repeated daily for 10 days. It must be remembered that treatment with folk remedies must be combined with drug therapy.

Small uterus during pregnancy

There is no clear opinion regarding the influence of this pathology on the onset and course of pregnancy. Some doctors consider underdevelopment of the uterus as a serious obstacle to conception and pregnancy. Other experts do not share this opinion. The uterus has sufficient elasticity, and pregnancy can occur even with some deviations from the norm. If hypoplasia is not accompanied by other pathologies, the woman will be able to bear a healthy child. But with hormonal imbalances or the absence of the ovulation process, certain problems may arise.
The small size of the uterus is not an obstacle to conception. Many women learn about this feature of theirs already during pregnancy. As the fetus grows, the uterus will also grow. To minimize the likelihood of spontaneous abortion, the expectant mother is prescribed hormonal therapy. Also, a woman should exercise caution during the days of pregnancy, which are the most dangerous.

The most dangerous in this regard is the first trimester. During this period, the greatest number of miscarriages occur. At the stage of 2-3 weeks, implantation of the fertilized egg occurs. A number of unfavorable factors can hinder this process. In addition to the insufficient size of the uterus, these include pathologies of the placenta, taking certain medications, viral diseases, and hormonal disorders.
From 4 to 7 weeks, all the baby’s vital systems and organs begin to form. The danger of this period lies in the occurrence of possible pathologies and anomalies. At the stage of 8-12 weeks, intensive formation of the placenta occurs. If detachment occurs, the pregnancy will be terminated.
The second trimester is considered relatively safe. But even at this time, a woman may encounter complications. The dangerous period is from 18 to 22 weeks, when the uterus rapidly increases in size.

In the third trimester, caution should be observed from 28 to 32 weeks. The danger of this time period lies in the possibility of disturbances in the activity of the placenta, which entails premature birth or intrauterine fetal death.

A small uterus should not be considered a contraindication or obstacle to pregnancy. The difficulties that a woman may encounter during pregnancy cause associated abnormalities. This is a lack of hormonal elements and thin myometrium.

There are situations when the size of the uterus is less than the gestational age. There may be several reasons for this. This condition is diagnosed when there is an insufficient amount of amniotic fluid, an incorrectly set period, abnormal presentation of the fetus, or the presence of a wide pelvis in the woman.

Conclusion

The small size of the uterus should not be considered as an obstacle to conception and pregnancy. Taking modern medications will normalize the growth of this reproductive organ, and regular examinations will help eliminate the development of complications. A woman should not worry, even if the uterus is less than the gestational age. It is possible that the deadline was determined incorrectly.

Features and sizes of the uterus during pregnancy. Video:

A small uterus is one of the pathologies of the development of the genital organs in women. The reasons for this structure of the uterus may be different, but as a result, a woman’s reproductive function, infertility, and miscarriages are often observed. What is it and how to treat a small uterus?

Clinical picture

The uterus, like other reproductive organs, is formed from the Mulerian ducts. As a result of their partial fusion, girls develop a vagina, uterus, and paired fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Its length in a newborn is already about 3 cm, it grows slowly, by the age of 12 it reaches a size of 5 cm. Of course, this is an inaccurate value, since the size often varies depending on the body type and other characteristics of the body (nationality, hereditary factors). The most accelerated growth is observed during puberty, and by the age of 16-17 years the size of the girl’s uterus becomes:

• longitudinal 7-8 cm;
• transverse 4-5 cm;
• anteroposterior 2-3 cm.

By this time, a woman has regular periods and with this size she can become pregnant and carry a child. If a small uterus is detected, then many women with such a pathology do not become pregnant or have early miscarriages, this depends on the degree of hypoplasia. Moreover, thin, asthenic women who are diagnosed with stage 3 hypoplasia often become pregnant and give birth to a child without any problems.

Therefore, when they talk about a small uterus and the possibility of conception, it is necessary to take into account the degree of hypoplasia, and it can be:

• 1st degree – uterus no more than 3 cm in length or aplasia;
• 2nd degree – uterus size 3-5.5 cm or a child’s uterus;
• 3rd degree – the value is 5.5-7 cm.

Reasons

Disruption of growth and normal development can occur at different stages of organogenesis in the fetus, or as the girl grows up. It is generally believed that the reasons for a small uterus may be the following:

• when this is due to the woman’s constitution, the hereditary factor plays an important role; thin-boned, thin, short women easily become pregnant and give birth to children, although the size of their organ is often within the range of grade 3 hypoplasia;
• If during pregnancy a woman suffered an infectious disease (flu), stress, did not follow the doctor’s instructions, did not eat well, or was exposed to toxic substances (smoking, alcohol), then this could affect the fetus.
• After birth, girls may also be exposed to various factors that lead to impaired organ growth. Thus, lack of nutrition, vitamins, severe infections, and other diseases, especially endocrine ones, can cause hypoplasia.
• Tumors of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

The number of women who are currently found to have a small uterus is constantly increasing, which is associated with environmental pollution, increased background radiation, and teenagers’ passion for various diets (anorexia).

Symptoms

Often, symptoms of a small uterus can be noticed already in adolescents, but grade 3 hypoplasia is often asymptomatic and is detected during a routine examination.

In adolescence, its presence may be indicated by:

• late menstruation, after 15-16 years;
• irregular cycles, pain during menstruation, small amounts of discharge;
• poorly defined secondary sexual characteristics, small breasts, weak pubic and armpit hair, unformed labia;
• decreased sex drive;
• slow physical development.

Complications

Complications of a small uterus are the absence of pregnancy with 1-2 degrees of hypoplasia, and if hypoplasia of the second and third degrees can be treated conservatively and this gives results, then hypoplasia of the first degree cannot be treated, or rather, the size cannot be increased enough for a woman to bear a child. Other complications include early miscarriages and difficult childbirth, as labor is often weakened and a caesarean section has to be resorted to.

Diagnostics

Already upon examination, signs of hypoplasia can be detected: narrowness of the pelvis, insufficiently expressed secondary sexual characteristics. An examination by a gynecologist reveals a short, narrow vagina, a conical cervix, and with a bimanual examination, a flattened, reduced uterus can be felt.

To make a diagnosis, the following is prescribed:

• ultrasound examination;
• blood hormone analysis;
• radiography;
• hysterography;
• computer or magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment

Treatment of a small uterus is carried out after a thorough examination and study of the woman’s hormonal background. It is imperative to conduct a study of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, since with tumors in them, hypoplasia can be one of the symptoms, and the use of hormonal therapy can aggravate the situation and cause accelerated growth of the tumor.

Treatment includes general health procedures, which are carried out against the background of hormonal therapy. Hormonal regimens are developed individually. The following methods are used in treatment:

• physiotherapy;
• laser therapy;
• paraffin therapy;
• mud therapy;
• balneotherapy;
• massage.

Patients are also prescribed a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins, and gynecological bimanual massage is used to increase the plasticity of the uterus.

Such procedures promote the growth of the organ and, in some cases, restore its size. It is advisable to start treatment as early as possible.

Prevention

Prevention of a small uterus consists of proper management of the mother's pregnancy; even during pregnancy, it is necessary to try to prevent the pregnant woman from contracting various infections, eat right, take vitamin complexes for pregnant women, and follow the doctor's recommendations.

If it was not possible to prevent the pathological factors in the development of this pathology during the mother’s pregnancy, then the newborn needs to be examined by a pediatric gynecologist and registered in order to monitor the development of the genital organs. Early treatment helps prevent this developmental pathology.

Prevention and pregnancy planning are of great importance. Doctors advise undergoing a gynecological examination before pregnancy, since if a small uterus is detected, this can lead to miscarriages and complicated childbirth. Therefore, before you decide to get pregnant and give birth, you need to undergo an examination by a gynecologist, and, if necessary, treatment for this pathology.

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Uterine hypoplasia is a condition in which the size of the uterus is smaller than it should be in a healthy adult woman. Why does organ hypoplasia develop and is it possible to get pregnant with this problem?

Reasons

A small uterus is quite rare. The direct cause of this condition is considered to be a failure in the intrauterine development of the girl’s genital organs. The influence of unfavorable factors in the early stages of embryogenesis leads to the fact that the organ does not reach its required size. In medical practice, this condition is called hypoplasia, or sexual infantilism.

Causes and risk factors for developing the disease:

• chromosomal abnormalities;
• hormonal disorders;
• endocrine disorders;
• infections;
• taking medications;
• radiation exposure.

It is usually not possible to find out the exact causes of sexual infantilism. It is quite difficult to understand what factor had its decisive influence on the development of the organ. Often several unfavorable factors are combined with each other, leading to the development of a similar problem in a woman. A small uterus can be combined with other malformations of the reproductive and urinary systems.

Main symptoms

The normal size of the uterus is 7 cm for a nulliparous woman and 8 cm for a woman who has given birth. The length of the cervix is ​​2.5-3.5 cm outside pregnancy. With hypoplasia, the size of the organ does not reach the accepted norm. In the complete absence of the uterus, they speak of its aplasia. What does this mean for a woman?

A small uterus is a condition that can go undetected for a long time. If its size is only slightly below normal, there may not be any clinical manifestations of this pathology. A woman may never find out about her problem or discover the disease by chance during an examination for a completely different disease.

Severe hypoplasia makes itself felt by the following symptoms:

• delayed sexual development in adolescence;
• rare or scanty menstruation;
• irregular menstrual cycle;
• painful menstruation;
• infertility.

A small uterus is often combined with hormonal disorders in a woman’s body. This means that in adolescence such a girl experiences delayed sexual development. Signs of sexual infantilism (underdevelopment of secondary sexual characteristics after the age of 15) may appear. A lag in physical development is very typical.

Hypoplasia can be combined with underdevelopment of the external genitalia (vagina, ovaries). With this condition, other problems in the reproductive sphere may appear. Malformations of the genital organs can go along with abnormalities in the structure of the ureter, kidneys and other structures of the urinary system.

Diagnostics

A doctor may suspect the disease during an examination in a gynecological chair. You can find out the exact picture of the disease using ultrasound. With an ultrasound examination, the doctor can measure the organ, as well as identify concomitant changes in the structures of the pelvis.

A small uterus is a reason to undergo examination by a gynecologist-endocrinologist. Experts recommend donating blood for this pathology to determine key female hormones, as well as pituitary and thyroid hormones. According to indications, the doctor may prescribe additional examination, including consultation with a geneticist and other specialists.

Complications

A small uterus is the direct cause of infertility. Not all women manage to get pregnant with this pathology. The problem most often lies in concomitant hormonal changes. The disease is often combined with anovulatory menstrual cycles, during which it is simply impossible to get pregnant. Only a doctor can find out the exact cause and prescribe treatment in such a situation after a thorough examination of the patient.

If the uterus is less than 3 cm in size, conceiving a child is almost impossible. If the size of the organ is between 4 and 5 cm, some women manage to become pregnant. But bearing a child in this situation remains a big question. The wall of an underdeveloped organ does not stretch well, interfering with the normal development of the baby. A miscarriage occurs - a natural result of pregnancy with such a developmental anomaly.

Hypoplasia is often combined with underdevelopment of the fallopian tubes. As a result, this pathology often leads to the development of ectopic pregnancy. To save the woman's life, doctors have to perform emergency surgery. During surgery, the fallopian tube is often removed. Removing the tubes on both sides means that this woman will no longer be able to get pregnant naturally.

Hypoplasia does not always lead to infertility and miscarriage. If the size of the organ is 6-7 cm, normal conception and bearing a child is possible. Such a pregnancy does not always proceed well, but doctors usually manage to cope with the complications that arise. A slight decrease in the size of the uterus may not affect the course of pregnancy at all.

Treatment

Treatment of sexual infantilism will depend on the severity of the disease and the presence of concomitant pathology. If the cause lies in hormonal imbalance, you can try to carry out specific therapy. Hormonal treatment often leads to positive results and allows a woman to become pregnant and carry a child to term.

Minor hypoplasia (6-7 cm) may disappear on its own with the onset of sexual activity or after pregnancy. Changes in hormonal levels lead to the organ becoming somewhat larger in size, and the problem resolves itself. In case of severe hypoplasia, the only solution may be surrogacy.