Bicornuate or Septate?
I have added some pictures to help with the discussion. Take your time with them, if you are not used to looking at medical drawings or photos it takes a little while to get your bearings.
The first picture is a drawing of a normal uterus, no septum, not bicornuate. You can see the top of the uterus is slightly rounded, not indented. The inside is shaped like a triangle. The space inside the uterus is called the uterine cavity. The pink tissue surrounding the cavity is the myometrium, which is the muscle. This picture also shows the tubes and ovaries off to each side.
The next picture is a drawing of a bicornuate uterus. It has a portion to the left and a portion to the right. The uterine cavity is not triangular, it is Y shaped. The top middle of the uterus is indented in.
The next picture is a drawing of a septate uterus. (The pictures on this post come from different sources so the drawing style may be a little different). Here, the uterine cavity is Y shaped, just like the bicornuate. The top of the uterus is not indented, it is slightly rounded. Basically, the uterus looks normal on the outside, but has a septum on the inside.
So both have a Y shaped uterine cavity. A hysterogram only shows the uterine cavity. The x-ray dye goes into the cavity and then out the tubes. So a bicornuate uterus and a uterus with a septum can look the same on hysterogram. Other tests are necessary to tell the difference. If your only test has been a hysterogram and you were told you have a bicornuate uterus, you need more tests.
Even more tests may get you the wrong answer. Radiologists are notorious for calling a septate uterus a bicornuate uterus. I don’t know why. Maybe they don’t understand the difference, or they know there is a difference but are not aware that the treatment options (next blog) are different. Even if a special test is ordered, such as an MRI or a 3-d sonohysterogram, the incorrect terminology gets used.
The first picture is a drawing of a normal uterus, no septum, not bicornuate. You can see the top of the uterus is slightly rounded, not indented. The inside is shaped like a triangle. The space inside the uterus is called the uterine cavity. The pink tissue surrounding the cavity is the myometrium, which is the muscle. This picture also shows the tubes and ovaries off to each side.
The next picture is a drawing of a bicornuate uterus. It has a portion to the left and a portion to the right. The uterine cavity is not triangular, it is Y shaped. The top middle of the uterus is indented in.
The next picture is a drawing of a septate uterus. (The pictures on this post come from different sources so the drawing style may be a little different). Here, the uterine cavity is Y shaped, just like the bicornuate. The top of the uterus is not indented, it is slightly rounded. Basically, the uterus looks normal on the outside, but has a septum on the inside.
So both have a Y shaped uterine cavity. A hysterogram only shows the uterine cavity. The x-ray dye goes into the cavity and then out the tubes. So a bicornuate uterus and a uterus with a septum can look the same on hysterogram. Other tests are necessary to tell the difference. If your only test has been a hysterogram and you were told you have a bicornuate uterus, you need more tests.
Even more tests may get you the wrong answer. Radiologists are notorious for calling a septate uterus a bicornuate uterus. I don’t know why. Maybe they don’t understand the difference, or they know there is a difference but are not aware that the treatment options (next blog) are different. Even if a special test is ordered, such as an MRI or a 3-d sonohysterogram, the incorrect terminology gets used.
posted by Dr. Licciardi at 11:43 AM
28 Comments:
Isn't there also a "T" shaped uterus with DES daughters?
Dr. L,
I was wondering if you could touch on the fact that I see in alot of the SART stats that alot of clinics doing Non donor FETS have a higher live birth rate in the 41-42 age group than with a fresh cycle? Is there something to this, or is it just because it's such a small segment that are doing FETs? Or is it because most clinics only freeze blasts in this age group?
Thanks
Wendy
Hello, I've just come across your very informative blog. Thank you!
My partner has just been told that his sperm has 100% binding & therefore doesn't disperse properly. Could you possibly write a little on this subject?
Thank You
Doctors and radiologists and other professionals definately need to learn the difference and use the appropriate term or use mullerian abnormality until they know the proper term. As they are very different and have very different solutions.
Thanks for this post =)
I was diagnosed with septate uterus and my ob/gyn did a laparoscopy (to make sure it wasn't bicornuate) and then a hysteroscopy and resection to correct the septum. Now I'm pregnant and the u/s technician said it looks like I have a bicornuate uterus. I'm assuming that she meant septate, but is it possible that it "readhered" or something? After the surgery I had a balloon in my uterus for about a week and did estrogen/progesterone therapy for a week. My doctor who did the surgery is in a different state so I can't really go back to see him :)
Thanks!
I am about to begin investigation into weather I have a bicornuate or septate uterus after suffering two miscarriages. I have been told that I have only one kidney and that this is a common occurance with abnormal uterus. Are you aware of any other common abnormalities that occur with bicornuate uterus?
Hello,
I am schedules to have a hysteroscopic resection (removal of septum lining in uterus) on Valentines Day. I would love to hear all about it if anyone has ever had this procedure done. I am very nervous.
Thank you.
Thank you so much Dr. Licciardi for your effort at helping women learn about the important distinction between septate and bicornate uterus. I had an MRI in March 2008 after 5 miscarriages. I had 2 miscarriages then a successful term pregnancy (my beautiful daughter) then 3 miscarriages. I was told I had a bicornate uterus after my second miscarriage. I am anxiously awaiting the MRI results to finally have better information. I have felt all along from my own research that I have a sepate uterus. Thanks again.
Elena
can a septate uterus operated before 3 years can be again septate. There was 2 missed abortion after the operation. The doctor has done 3D sonography and said that uterus is again septate.
Kindly advise us whether same can be taken place or not.
Hello. Please can you tell me what you think the success rate for a full term pregnancy is with a bicornate uterus. I have had 2 miscarriages - one chemical pregnancy and the other @ 6 weeks. Is this linked to having a bicornate uterus? My understanding is that the risks occur later in pregnancy.
a great info doc thnks a ton for that.hope and pray that u write something about the treatment.....
Hello, I have just been diagnosed with a sepated uterus, I have already had an ectopic pregnancy in july that resulted in a tube loss, and I suffered a miscarriage in Sept (which my Dr. told me was a molar preg and it was not)My Dr. is from one extreme to the next. One minute its terrible and the next its no big deal and I can have a surgery, I don't know what to do? do I have a second opinion or do I have the sugery?? What are the risks, and Is there a chance that I could not be able to have children at all because of this surgery? I am only 32, I do not have children yet but I am anxiously awaiting a normal healthy pregnancy! Any answers would be helpful
Thanks! :)
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Hi
After doing a leap procedure, my dr noticed I had an additional cervix.
After much research, mri, 3d uterus scan, I was diagnosed w Bicornuate
with 2 cervix. Can someone please explain that to me. What does having
an additional cervix entail, and what are the chances of me getting
pregnant? And please explain to me in laymen terms what a Bicornuate
with 2 cervix means.
I'm looking to get pregnant this year, so any knowledge you have to make
me fully understand this will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Hi,
I have been diagnosed with a septate uterus, does that mean i can never have normal babies?
Hi. I am 20 weeks pregnant. I have never had an ultra sound before this pregnancy. I was told I have a didelphys uterus, then a bicornuate, and now a septum. They are not sure what I have. And I am getting more worried for my unborn child. Can a septum be dangerous? How do I even know if it is a septum? I live in New Jersey, and fear that the doctors here have either never seen this problem before, or don't know what to do... I keep being passed around from specialist to specialist. They just told me, if I do have a septum, I may have kidney problems as well. Is this true?
Hi,
thanks for your uplifting blog! I was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus (with two cervixes), and almost everything I read about it was negative. It terrified me! Soon after the diagnosis, I got pregnant and had a completely text-book pregnancy, labor and delivery. I felt so lucky.
It took us about a year to get pregnant with our second, but now I am eight weeks! My first doctor apt. is tomorrow, and I'm excited to see which side this little one is hanging out in.
good luck to all of you, and don't be scared by all the gloom and doom out there!
kricket
sue asks how common is it to deliver twins to a bicornuate uterus - mine are age 22 now.
just wondered if there are any statistics on this.Does have any idea?
in your pictures, doctor said i have heart shaped uterus but no line formed like in the third picture , its only bend like heart shape..
can i have pregency risks further
already i had two miscarriage at the early stage and i asked for the surgery , doctor said no for that no line formed between so their no need of surgery ...
what are chances of full term pregency
Well, hello ladies, I have some things to share that may be helpful. I also have (had) a bicornuate uterus as well as a septate uterus, one kidney, one overy, and 2 cervixs. 4 surgeries later I have had half of my uterus removed as well as a fallopian tube ( one with no overy) and 1 cervix. I now have three children ages 10,9,and 6yrs old,with the help of having cervical cerclaus with all three pregnacies, full term. with complications in my second pregnacy with the placenta detaching resulting in emergency c-section. I have not had any other pregnacies of miscarrage or tubal. so hang in there are possibilites.
hi, i was diagnosed with a septate uterus @ the age of 19 when i miscarried @ 8 weeks, since then i have had 3 more miscarriages not as painful as the 1st thank god but still rather hurtful. my last pregnancy was last year around august i conceived & in september i went in for my normal check up & to my surprise the baby had a heart beat i was so over joy'd thinking wow this could be it, a few weeks later along with spotting here & there i miscarried they were unable to find the heartbeat @ the 2nd appointment i had a d&c the same day it was heartbreaking. i am now 24 & pregnant again 4 the 5th time. 6 weeks or so but i am already bleeding as though i am on my menstrual nothing major i go back to the doc on monday to see what will happen. hopefully i can have the septum removed, i have no chemical imbalances & my eggs are as good as ever i am able to conceive on call, i just hope i will get some answers. but i really wanted to thank everyone who has posted in this coloum you have givin me hope i dont feel alone, we cant give up this battle ladies we will have babies i beleive it & you have to just ride it out yes miscarriages suck but we get closer to knowing what is wrong & fixing the problem dont ever blame yourself or feel ashamed because we are not @ fault this is just something that happend unfortunitly how did we know that we would have a septum or any malfunction in the uterus we didn't but now that we have the knowledge from this website & others like this we can do more research & begin to understand what is going on. we have the right to know so dont be afraid ask the doctor's a million questions i know that i will. i am seeing a specialist on monday i see this as a blessing in disguize i am a strong woman if god takes this baby then it was his will so let it be done.... i beleive in miracles have even seen my baby's face in my dreams so i know my miracle is coming when the answer is unknown but god grants blessing to those who wait patiently.... good luck ladies be strong we will succeed. Lola....
a septate uterus does not mean that you cant have normal babies it just means that if you do have a succesful pregnancy your @ risk for preterm labor meaning that you wont go through the whole 40 weeks maybe 30 or 35.... then again you could lucky & wont even have that problem....
just so you know i am the anoymous person the one that was 19 when she 1st miscarried....
does having hormonal shots really help? i have a septate uterus & the baby always ends up dieing the hcg level drops if i take estrogen shots could that help me?
i feel like with the right doctors that everyone will have a fair shot @ becoming a mother & im sure we will all be fantastic mothers....
Does having a septate uterus cause any other problems throughout labor? Are you heavier on one side or the other? Is this the reason that most septates usually have premmies. I was just diagnosed, please explain!
Thanks!
I was diagnosed with a septate uterus in 2005. I was never able to conceive. I also have multiple cysts on my ovaries and in 2007 I had a cyst burst and I hemhorraged internally. I lost half of my ovary and part of my right tube due to there was a mass from all the cysts that had burst in the past. I also had endometriosis and have had multiple surgeries to clena up the adhesions. I pretty much gave up on becoming pregnant. Well now at the age of 27 I am pregnant for the first time. Which nobody ever thought would happen. I am bleeding daily and having a lot of pain in my left side and have been reading up on everything. I am very scared but trying to stay positive. It hasn't even been a week since I found out and the dr. wants to see me allready. I am on my way in a few minutes to see the dr. But I don't think any of us should give up hope. I can only imagine what it is like to lose a baby especially for the ones who really want one. But we should def stay positive and don't give up. I work at a dr's office and everyone has been telling me that maybe it wasn't supposed to be until now. I believe every woman should have the chance to have a baby. Just don't give up. And stay positive. I know I will. Especially since they said I would never even conceive and I have. Please be positive.
you all amazing ladies!
Lola, I wana have your strength! its very inspiring!
I've just had my second miscarriage, this time i went for the D&C as natrually was soooo distressing and shocking last time!! when i had the first one a year ago we got two little kittens, this time, my hubby has given in and let me get the beagle puppy i have always wanted to get! (she is asleep in my lap at the moment!) we joke that next time I will want a pony....but its not really that funny when its a reality i might miscarry again!
The Doctors have said they wont investigate until I have a 3rd miscarriage, they have also said that it looks like i either have bicoronate or septate uterus, but they would need to do more tests to find out which. I think we are going to go private to find out more, as I cant go through another miscarriage, just to get it free on the NHS! So rediculous!
Any advice on tests we might need or ideas on what to do to make some positive steps towards getting a successful pregnancy welcome!!!
Good luck girls and thanks for making me feel a bit more positive!
xxxx
Hello I have a bicornuate uterus but nobody told me how bad the degree is below is a link to the pic. please let me know what you think? thank you
C:\Users\Amanda\Pictures\uterus.jpg
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