Content
The infant uterus, also known as hypoplastic uterus or hypotrophic hypogonadism, is a congenital malformation in which the uterus does not fully develop. Usually, the infant uterus is only diagnosed during adolescence due to the absence of menstruation, because before that period it does not cause any symptoms.
The infant uterus is not always curable, because the smaller the size of the organ the more difficult it will be to stimulate its growth, however, treatment can be done to try to enlarge the uterus to allow a pregnancy.
Infant uterus symptoms
The infant uterus is difficult to identify, since the female external genitals are normal and, therefore, in most cases it is only identified during routine examinations. However, some symptoms such as:
- Delay in the first menstruation (menarche), which in normal situations happens around 12 years;
- Absence of pubic or underarm hair;
- Little development of the female breasts and genitals;
- Volume of the uterus less than 30 cubic centimeters in adulthood;
- Irregular menstruation or absence of menstruation;
- Difficulty getting pregnant or miscarriages.
The first signs of sexual maturity begin at around 11 or 12 years of age. Therefore, a woman aged 15 years or older who still has any of the above signs may have some major hormonal changes and should go to the gynecologist for an evaluation and tests.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of the infant uterus is made by the gynecologist based on the evaluation of the signs and symptoms presented by the woman, mainly the fact of the first delayed menstruation, little breast development and absence of pubic hair. In addition, the doctor performs a pelvic exam to check genital development.
In addition, the gynecologist may recommend performing other tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as blood tests, to check hormone levels, MRI and pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound in which the size of the uterus is checked, which in these cases is less than 30 cm3 of volume.
Check for other conditions that can change the size of the uterus.
Causes of infant uterus
The infant uterus occurs when the uterus does not develop properly, remaining the same size as during childhood, and may be the result of diseases that lead to decreased production of hormones responsible for the development of female reproductive organs. In addition, the infant uterus can happen due to genetic changes or the prolonged and constant use of steroid drugs, which can lead to hormonal imbalance.
Who has a child uterus can get pregnant?
Women who have an infant uterus may have greater difficulty in becoming pregnant because, if the uterus is smaller than normal, miscarriage may occur due to the lack of space for the fetus to develop.
In addition, many women with an infant uterus also experience problems with the functioning of the ovaries and, therefore, may not be able to produce eggs that are mature enough to be fertilized.
Therefore, in the case of an infant uterus, it is recommended to consult with an obstetrician before trying to conceive to assess the chances of treatment for pregnancy, which may include artificial insemination.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for infant uterus must be guided by a gynecologist and is usually done with the use of hormonal remedies to help the growth and development of the uterus, even if it is not always possible to reach a normal size.
With the use of medication, the ovaries start releasing the eggs monthly and the uterus begins to increase in size, allowing a normal and reproductive cycle and pregnancy, in some cases.