What is the Uterus?

One of the most well-known and most important organs in the female body is undoubtedly the uterus. It is inside the uterus that pregnancy happens, where the child develops, and from where the baby comes out to enter the world. But it is not an easy task to explain exactly what an organ that performs so many important functions is¹.

To understand this, it is necessary to know how it forms in a woman’s body, when it reaches maturity, when it is ready to function, and how it behaves during adult life.

Additionally, it is important to know which are the main diseases that can affect this organ and what complications they may bring. With so many complexities, it is not possible to explain what the uterus is in just one or two sentences. And that is exactly why we will discuss each of these aspects here.

What are the Parts of the Uterus?

The uterus is composed of three main parts, which are the body, the cervix, and the isthmus.

• Body of the uterus: This is the widest part of the uterus, and it contains what is called the uterine fundus.
• Cervix of the uterus: Also known as the Cervix, it is located at the narrowest part of the body of the uterus. Below the cervix is the vagina.
• Isthmus: This is a small narrow segment, approximately 1 cm, that connects the body to the cervix of the uterus.

The tissues that line the uterus are also divided in this way: they are the perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium. The Fallopian Tubes, or the two Fallopian Tubes, are not part of the uterus, but are attached to the upper part of the cervix, one on each side.

Functions of the Uterus

To understand what the uterus is and its functions, it is important to know that this organ is directly related to the entire gestational cycle of mammals, so its main function is to shelter the fetus throughout pregnancy and development, and in the end, it is responsible for expelling the baby through contractions.

The uterus produces various components necessary for pregnancy, including female hormones such as progesterone, which is responsible for preparing the endometrium to receive the fetus.

It is important to realize that the uterus works monthly to accommodate the embryo, which will be fertilized in an egg produced by the ovary. When this does not occur, menstruation happens. Everything that happens inside the uterus is so that the woman’s body is prepared for a pregnancy.

Position of the Uterus

Before talking about the position of the uterus, it is important to understand that this is not a fixed organ; in fact, it is supported and kept in place by several pairs of flexible ligaments. Therefore, it is common for the position of the uterus to change during life.

To find out its position, a pelvic exam is enough and, for greater accuracy, an imaging exam. There are three possible positions: uterus in medioversion, retroversion, and anteversoflexion².

All are considered normal by doctors; however, in some cases, when there is a change in position, it can be related to certain problems such as infertility. Below we will explain each one in more detail:

• • Uterus in medioversion (MVF): Many women have a medioverted uterus. In this case, the uterus is simply in a median position.
  • Uterus in anteversoflexion (AVF): Also known as an anteverted uterus, and it is the most common among women. In this case, the uterus is tilted forward, that is, the uterine body is located over the bladder.
  • Uterus in retroversion (RVF): Fewer women have a retroverted uterus; in this position, the uterus is tilted backward, toward the rectum.

Although all these positions are considered normal, in some cases special attention is required, as in the case of a retroverted uterus. Many women may have this organ in this position due to infections and inflammations in the genital area, which if not treated can compromise the uterine region, even leading to infertility.

Knowing the position of the uterus is very important, so when there is a change in position, you will be more likely to detect a possible problem in advance. It is also important when a woman wants to undergo certain procedures, such as IUD insertion.

Main Diseases of the Uterus

The uterine region can present various diseases, so it is very important to be alert to any possible symptoms such as bleeding outside the cycle and intense abdominal pain. If you notice anything unusual, seek a doctor. Among the main diseases of the uterus are fibroids, polyps, retroverted uterus, endometriosis, and uterine cancer.

Fibroid (Myoma)

Fibroids are benign tumors and are very common among women, especially younger and black women. Although the cause for the development of fibroids is not always known, in some cases they are related to imbalances in female hormones.

Therefore, fibroids can appear (one or several), grow, and even shrink on their own. Among the symptoms are heavy menstruation, constipation, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Polyp

Polyps are small lumps that develop as a result of hormonal changes in the endometrium, and although they are benign, they can become malignant. They tend to appear in women who are menopausal, but they can also occur in younger women.

Depending on their development and size, polyps can make pregnancy more difficult. The main symptoms include irregular menstruation and bleeding after intercourse.

Retroverted Uterus

As mentioned above, a retroverted uterus is not always a problem; sometimes it is simply the natural position of the woman’s uterus. However, in some cases, especially when there is a change in position, the retroverted uterus can be problematic.

It is usually caused by infections, inflammations, and fibroids. The symptoms of this change in position are not very intense, but some women may experience back pain, pain during sexual intercourse, during bowel movements, and urination.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis³ is the presence of endometrial tissue in other organs of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and bladder. It is a very common disease among women of all ages and can start soon after the first menstruation.

In many cases, it can cause infertility. Symptoms include pain during menstruation, severe and persistent cramps, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Uterine Cancer

Cancer of the cervix is not difficult to diagnose, but it is usually discovered in the later stages of the disease, since in the beginning there are not many symptoms. Therefore, you need to be up to date with gynecological exams and, if you present any symptoms, consult a doctor. These symptoms include pain during sexual intercourse, heavy menstruation, discomfort in the perineal region, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

How to Prevent Diseases of the Uterus?

As you can see, all the main symptoms are very similar and often common among women. To prevent uterine diseases, it is important to visit a gynecologist regularly, once or twice a year, and always do all the exams for monitoring and analyzing the reproductive system. If you notice any strange symptoms, do not ignore them and consult a doctor.

Knowing how your body works is extremely important, not only to help prevent certain diseases and live a healthier life, but also to get to know yourself better. Understanding the functions of each organ is essential for women, especially because their reproductive system is much more complex than that of men, with many more nuances and possible issues to address.

Now that you know exactly what the uterus is, its main functions, and how it works, do not forget to visit your doctor regularly and do the necessary checkups to keep your health up to date. Prevention is always better than cure.

See Also: Trying to Conceive: 5 Strange Early Signs of Pregnancy
Photo: Ignacio Campo