Guide | Septate Uterus: A Common Uterine Abnormality Associated With Miscarriage and Preterm Birth
A septate uterus is a common congenital uterine abnormality in which a thin tissue membrane, or septum, divides the inside of the uterus into two separate cavities. It forms during fetal development and is among the most common uterine malformations.
A septate uterus may cause reproductive problems, including an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and abnormal fetal presentation, meaning the fetus is not positioned head-down.
Types of septate uterus
A septate uterus is classified into three types according to the extent and location of the septum:
Partial septate uterus: The septum does not extend to the cervix.
Complete septate uterus: The septum extends to the cervix and divides the entire uterine cavity.
Septate uterus and vagina: The septum extends into the vagina.
Causes of a septate uterus
During fetal development, the septum is an important structure in the formation of the uterus and fallopian tubes. It is normally reabsorbed by the body. A septate uterus develops when this process is incomplete and the membrane remains inside the uterus.
A septate uterus is a congenital abnormality with no clearly established cause.
Symptoms of a septate uterus
A septate uterus usually causes no obvious symptoms before puberty and may remain undiagnosed for a long time. Some women have more severe menstrual cramps, but recurrent miscarriage is the most common reason it is diagnosed.
Externally, a septate uterus resembles a normal uterus, but internally it has a heart-shaped rather than triangular cavity. A partial septum can be harder to diagnose because the heart shape is less apparent.
It remains unclear why a septate uterus increases miscarriage risk. Not everyone with the condition has a miscarriage, and some women deliver successfully.
Diagnosing a septate uterus
Because the septum is usually very thin and difficult to see directly, doctors use imaging tests, including:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasound
Hysteroscopy
Three-dimensional ultrasound provides clearer images than two-dimensional ultrasound. MRI helps distinguish a septate uterus from a bicornuate uterus, in which the uterus has two cavities but may not contain a septum.
Treatment
Hysteroscopic surgery is the main treatment. This minimally invasive procedure removes the septum to restore a normal uterine cavity.
Procedure and features:
The doctor passes a thin tube with a small camera through the vagina into the uterus and uses specialized instruments to remove the septum.
Ultrasound is used during surgery to ensure complete removal.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and most patients go home the same day.
For more complex cases, an overnight hospital stay may be recommended. Overall, hysteroscopic surgery has low risks and a high success rate.
After surgery
Hysteroscopic surgery has very low risks. Common side effects include:
Cramping similar to menstrual cramps
Light bleeding for 1 to 2 days
Doctors usually recommend using sanitary pads instead of tampons after surgery to reduce infection risk. Consult a doctor promptly for heavy bleeding, persistent pain, or other concerning symptoms.
Guide | Septate Uterus: A Common Uterine Abnormality Associated With Miscarriage and Preterm Birth
Guide | Septate Uterus: A Common Uterine Abnormality Associated With Miscarriage and Preterm Birth
A septate uterus is a common congenital uterine abnormality in which a thin tissue membrane, or septum, divides the inside of the uterus into two separate cavities. It forms during fetal development and is among the most common uterine malformations.
A septate uterus may cause reproductive problems, including an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and abnormal fetal presentation, meaning the fetus is not positioned head-down.
Types of septate uterus
A septate uterus is classified into three types according to the extent and location of the septum:
Partial septate uterus: The septum does not extend to the cervix.
Complete septate uterus: The septum extends to the cervix and divides the entire uterine cavity.
Septate uterus and vagina: The septum extends into the vagina.
Causes of a septate uterus
During fetal development, the septum is an important structure in the formation of the uterus and fallopian tubes. It is normally reabsorbed by the body. A septate uterus develops when this process is incomplete and the membrane remains inside the uterus.
A septate uterus is a congenital abnormality with no clearly established cause.
Symptoms of a septate uterus
A septate uterus usually causes no obvious symptoms before puberty and may remain undiagnosed for a long time. Some women have more severe menstrual cramps, but recurrent miscarriage is the most common reason it is diagnosed.
Externally, a septate uterus resembles a normal uterus, but internally it has a heart-shaped rather than triangular cavity. A partial septum can be harder to diagnose because the heart shape is less apparent.
It remains unclear why a septate uterus increases miscarriage risk. Not everyone with the condition has a miscarriage, and some women deliver successfully.
Diagnosing a septate uterus
Because the septum is usually very thin and difficult to see directly, doctors use imaging tests, including:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasound
Hysteroscopy
Three-dimensional ultrasound provides clearer images than two-dimensional ultrasound. MRI helps distinguish a septate uterus from a bicornuate uterus, in which the uterus has two cavities but may not contain a septum.
Treatment
Hysteroscopic surgery is the main treatment. This minimally invasive procedure removes the septum to restore a normal uterine cavity.
Procedure and features:
The doctor passes a thin tube with a small camera through the vagina into the uterus and uses specialized instruments to remove the septum.
Ultrasound is used during surgery to ensure complete removal.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and most patients go home the same day.
For more complex cases, an overnight hospital stay may be recommended. Overall, hysteroscopic surgery has low risks and a high success rate.
After surgery
Hysteroscopic surgery has very low risks. Common side effects include:
Cramping similar to menstrual cramps
Light bleeding for 1 to 2 days
Doctors usually recommend using sanitary pads instead of tampons after surgery to reduce infection risk. Consult a doctor promptly for heavy bleeding, persistent pain, or other concerning symptoms.
Source:
Collected online