Very often the conception of a child turns into a real problem for future parents. The reason for this may be one or another disease. One of these diseases is uterine hypoplasia. What is it and is it possible to get rid of this disease?
What is an infantile uterus?
Hypoplasia of the uterus (infantile, underdeveloped or hypoplastic uterus) is a pathological condition characterized by insufficient development of the main female organ. The consequence of the disease may be difficulty conceiving, bearing a child, or complete infertility. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of uterine hypoplasia. What it is, he will tell you already at the first appointment.
Fully formed uterus
The female uterus is the main reproductive organ. It is she who is responsible for the presence of the necessary female sex hormones, as well as the possibility of conceiving and bearing a child. It is this organ that is able to bear the baby, the field of which is to push it out with the help of contractions (contractions).
The uterus of a mature female bodyhas certain characteristics that depend on the age of the patient. At the birth of a female child, the reproductive organ is only 3 cm, and its weight reaches 4 grams. Subsequently, the process of reduction of the uterus occurs, after which growth continues again. At the age of 4 years, the size of the reproductive organ is on average 2.5 cm, and its weight is 2.3 grams. By the age of 6, he has average parameters: 3 centimeters and 4 grams.
By the time puberty is reached, the size of the female uterus changes. Its parameters depend on whether the girl gave birth to a child or not.
1. The uterine cavity of a nulliparous patient: thickness - 3.5 cm; width 4, 7; length - 4.6 cm (deviations of 1-3 mm are possible).
2. Parameters in the presence of miscarriages: thickness - 3.8 cm; width - 5.5 cm; depth - 5.5 cm (deviations of 1-3 mm are possible).
3. The uterine cavity of a woman giving birth has the following characteristics: thickness - 4.1 cm; width - 5.5 cm; depth - 6 cm (deviations of 1-5 mm are possible).
After conception and in the process of bearing a child, the uterus constantly increases in size. By the end of pregnancy, her parameters can reach 33 cm in length and weigh 1.6 kilograms. After a successful birth, the genital organ begins to shrink, but it no longer reaches its original size. Its size and weight increase somewhat. The cervix also has its standard sizes. On average, it is 1/3 of the size of the reproductive organ (30-35 mm long and 30-50 mm wide). The shape of the neck depends on whether the woman gave birth to a child or not. Atnulliparous, it has a canonical figure, and a parous - cylindrical.
Causes of uterine hypoplasia
The causes of the disease can be not only the physical characteristics and innate characteristics of the body, but also the living conditions of the girl. So, congenital infantilism of the uterus can be associated:
- with an infectious disease;
- long-term drug use;
- delayed fetal development while in the womb;
- use of harmful drugs, including alcohol and smoking;
- harmful living and working conditions;
- incorrect formation of chromosomes in the body;
- presence of genetic abnormalities and features.
The development of the disease during the life and growing up of a girl may be related:
- with hereditary factor;
- with serious stress, both physical and mental;
- with protracted colds;
- with the use of harmful drugs, including alcohol;
- with a lack or excess of vitamins in the body;
- with strong psychological stress;
- with previous ovarian surgery;
- with incomplete ovarian development;
- with poor nutrition and, as a result, underweight and excessive thinness;
- with diseases of the endocrine system;
- with chronic diseases.
Different degrees of uterine hypoplasia
The disease is characterized by the fact that by the time of puberty the uterushas not yet reached the appropriate size. Not only the reproductive organ itself, but also its individual organs and appendages can be underdeveloped. The corresponding characteristics are established by the gynecologist during the initial examination and during the ultrasound examination. There are several different degrees of development of the disease:
1. Hypoplasia of the uterus of the 1st degree - the depth of the uterus reaches no more than 3.5 centimeters, with most of the cervix. With the development of this degree, the uterus is also called germinal or rudimentary.
2. Hypoplasia of the uterus of the 2nd degree - the depth of the genital organ can be from 3.5 to 5.5 cm, while the neck is somewhat smaller, about 3/1. An organ in such development is called childish or infantile.
3. Grade 3 of the disease - when using a probe, the depth of the cavity is from 5 to 7 centimeters, and the ratio of the cervix and uterus is already normal 1/3. Such characteristics are a slight deviation from the norm. The reproductive organ is called adolescence or hypoplastic.
Signs of illness
The disease can develop at any age. The main symptom of a problem is the failure of the menstrual cycle or the late onset of menstruation. Hypoplasia of the uterus of the 1st degree is characterized by the presence of rare and meager discharge. The disease in degrees 2 and 3 is manifested by the late onset of menstruation (usually after 15-16 years). Allocations can be irregular, scarce, or, conversely, excessive. Premenstrual cider is also strongly manifested, pain, dizziness, nausea and even fainting are possible.
The main symptoms of the disease are caused by factors such as:
- due to its small size, the female uterus does not have sufficient plasticity, therefore, during a rush of blood (before and during menstruation), its increase is painful;
- underdevelopment of the cervical canal is characterized by its increased long and narrow passage, when the mucous membrane moves, pressure increases, which causes pain.
- improper and inharmonious development of the reproductive organ causes disconnected contractions that can cause pain.
The doctor can determine the signs of the disease even during the initial examination. Among the external signs of a girl, one can distinguish:
- short;
- thinness;
- rare vegetation in the armpits and on the pubis;
- poor breast and chest development for her age.
Hypoplasia of the uterus in girls may be characterized by such signs of lag in the development of the genital organs:
- small labia not covering the clitoris;
- small vagina size;
- cervix long and poorly developed;
- retracted clitoris.
A very common problem for girls with uterine infantilism is the inability to conceive, frequent miscarriages, low libido and lack of orgasm.
Possible complications associated with the disease
Hypoplasia of the uterus is quite commonassociated with comorbidities and complications. It could be:
- bleeding after childbirth;
- poor pipe patency;
- tubal pregnancy;
- early and hard passing toxicosis;
- preterm delivery;
- complications during labor;
- infertility;
- severe pregnancy;
- high risk of miscarriage;
- development of the inflammatory process;
- diseases of the uterus (endometrial hypoplasia - as a possible consequence of the disease is a thinning of the intrauterine layer, to which the embryo attaches during conception).
Diagnosis
Only a specialist can make a diagnosis, so if you have symptoms of the disease, you should immediately contact a specialist. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor performs an initial examination, as well as a conversation with the patient. After carrying out the necessary procedures, it is possible to appoint additional measures:
- testing for functional diagnostics to determine the nature of anovulation;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- taking tests to determine the level of hormones in the body (prolactin, progesterone, ketosteroids and others);
- measuring the width of the pelvic bone (a narrow pelvis is one of the indicators of the disease);
- setting the level and degree of bone development;
- x-ray of skull bones;
- MRI of the brain.
Treatment of disease
In the treatment of uterine hypoplasia of the 1st degree, as well as other degreesnutrition has a big impact. The girl's diet should be rich in all the necessary elements and vitamins. We must not forget about the psychological component. It is recommended to exclude stress and excessive emotional stress.
The basis of the treatment of the disease is the use of hormonal drugs. Their reception is, as a rule, several months. Breaks are made only for the duration of menstruation. After the course, a gap of several months is made, after which the course is repeated. The use of hormone therapy with timely treatment helps to significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease in stages 2 and 3 of the disease. Stimulation of the body allows you to increase the size of the uterus to almost normal and regulate the course of menstruation. Hypoplasia of the uterus of the 1st degree, as a rule, requires long-term treatment, and hormone therapy is of a replacement nature.
Additionally, vitamin complexes are prescribed, which should be taken periodically.
Possible additional treatments
Often, doctors prescribe additional procedures to achieve maximum results. As a rule, these are physiotherapeutic procedures. They can be:
- magnetotherapy;
- using a laser;
- electrostimulation;
- UHF;
- paraffin;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture.
Often, visiting sanatoriums and resorts, accompanied by swimming in the sea, gives positive results.water, treatment with mud and s alt. Medical gymnastics and massage are prescribed and actively used.
Hypoplasia of the uterus and pregnancy
After a girl hears the "diagnosis of hypoplasia" of the uterus, "is it possible to get pregnant with such a disease" is her first question.
The development and the presence of the consequences of the disease are related to the degree of development of the disease, the time of contacting the doctor and the correctness of the treatment. The second and third stages of the disease are reversible. With the right approach, treatment of stage 3 does not take much time. After reaching the normal size of the uterus, it becomes possible to conceive, as well as a happy birth of a child. Treatment of the disease in the second stage is a more complex process that takes a lot of time and effort. Even despite long-term treatment, pregnancy may not occur. Hypoplasia of the uterus of the 1st degree almost always excludes the conception and bearing of a child. With the right approach to treatment, in vitro fertilization is possible, that is, the use of the services of a surrogate mother.
Conclusions
Thus, he alth should be monitored at any age, and if you notice signs of illness, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Timely treatment and proper treatment is the first step towards recovery.
