Did you know that some women experience two periods a month? And it’s not because of their irregular menstrual cycle; it’s because they have two wombs or uteruses. This condition is called uterine didelphys or double uterus. Here’s what you need to know about uterine didelphys symptoms and management.
What Causes Double Uterus?
Uterine didelphys is a congenital condition, which means it’s present before birth.
The uterus develops from two small tubes called Mullerian ducts, the early structure that develops into the female reproductive organ. Typically, the Mullerian ducts fuse, forming a large hollow organ – the uterus.
With uterine didelphys, however, the Mullerian ducts don’t join together. Instead, each develops into a separate womb.
Now, a double uterus may have just one opening (cervix) into one vagina, or each has a separate cervix, as in true uterine didelphys. In many cases, a thin tissue runs through the vagina, separating it into two openings.
The exact reason uterine didelphys happens is still unknown, but doctors believe genetics may be a factor as the condition sometimes runs within families.
Uterine Didelphys Symptoms and Diagnosis
It’s normal for a woman with uterine didelphys to not experience any symptoms, but if they do, they might visit the doctor for the following reasons:
- Unusual cramping or pressure before or during periods
- Too much bleeding
- Menstruation that’s not stopped by a tampon. In this case, the woman inserts a tampon in one vagina, but the blood escapes through the other opening.
- Repeated miscarriages or preterm labor
Finally, some women only knew about their condition during a routine pelvic exam where the doctor noticed a double cervix or unusually shaped uterus. They might order imaging tests for confirmation, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
When to Seek Medical Help
Experts advise women to contact their healthcare provider if they are planning to get pregnant, if they are pregnant, and if there is any pelvic discomfort which may be attributed to the uterine didelphys
Treatment for Uterine Didelphys
Women without uterine didelphys symptoms rarely need treatment. However, the doctor may recommend surgery if they have difficulty with their pregnancies.
Surgical correction of a didelphys uterus known as metroplasty is seldom recommended, and there is very little research on metroplasty in women with didelphys uterus. This may be considered on a case to case basis after thorough counseling of the woman.
If the woman has two vaginas, she may be a candidate for surgery that removes the tissue that runs along the vagina. This might make childbirth easier.
Uterine Didelphys Symptoms and Pregnancy
Women with a double uterus may have an increased risk of preterm labor or miscarriages. This is mainly because their uteruses are smaller than usual.
Are you wondering if both uteruses can hold a baby at the same time? There are only a handful of case reports that narrate such events. It only happens 1 in 5 million. However, a successful triplet pregnancy in a woman with uterine didelphys was recorded in England. This event has a 1 in 25 million chance.
In case a woman gets pregnant, the doctor will monitor the pregnancy closely. Should there be signs that the baby is not okay, the doctor may recommend early C-section delivery.
Key Takeaways
A double uterus means the woman has two wombs instead of one.
Many women do not experience uterine didelphys symptoms, but they might have two periods in a month, heavy bleeding, unusual cramping, menstruation not stopped by a tampon, or frequent miscarriages. Both uteruses can also hold a baby, although this occurrence is very rare.
Women without uterine didelphys symptoms rarely need treatment, but the doctor may recommend surgery if they have difficulty sustaining their pregnancies.
If you experience uterine didelphys symptoms, the best course of action is to get in touch with your doctor as soon as you can.
Learn more about Women’s Health here.
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