The main consequences of the septate uterus are difficulty in getting pregnant and frequent abortions. The septate uterus is a congenital alteration, which occurs when the uterus is divided in two by a 'wall', which hinders the development of the fetus and may cause miscarriage.
This division of the uterus can be partial, in the case of incomplete septate uterus, or total, in the case of complete septate uterus, and its diagnosis can be made through exams such as ultrasound, for example. The treatment of the septate uterus is done through a surgery called surgical hysteroscopy, a procedure in which the wall that divides the uterus in two is removed and prevents pregnancy.
Symptoms of septate uterus
In general, the septate uterus does not cause symptoms, and is only discovered during routine examinations with the gynecologist or when the woman has difficulty getting pregnant, having constant spontaneous abortions. These abortions happen because the septum prevents the proper formation of the umbilical cord, which prevents the fetus from receiving all the nutrients necessary to develop.
In addition, the septum that divides the uterus in two also prevents the baby from growing due to lack of enough space in the uterus.
Diagnosis of the septate uterus
The diagnosis of the septate uterus is made by the gynecologist through exams such as ultrasound, uterine curettage or hysterosalpingography.
Often the septate uterus is confused with the bicornuate uterus, which is when the uterus is not fully connected to the cervix, and the differentiation between these two changes can be done through 3D ultrasound or an exam called hysteroscopy.
Surgery for septate uterus
The treatment of the septate uterus is done by removing the wall that divides the uterus into two parts. This removal is done through a surgery called surgical hysteroscopy, where a device is inserted through the vagina into the uterus to remove the septum. See more details about this procedure: Surgical hysteroscopy.
This procedure is done with general or spinal anesthesia, lasts about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and the woman can go home on the day of the surgery. However, it is normal for vaginal bleeding to occur for up to 6 weeks after surgery, and it is usually necessary to take medications to relieve pain and decrease inflammation in the uterus, in addition to antibiotics to prevent infections.
The precautions that must be taken in the 2 weeks following the surgery are to avoid making physical efforts, such as picking up heavy objects or working out, not having intimate contact and avoid taking a bath in the pool and the sea. In the event of fever, pain, heavy vaginal bleeding or a foul-smelling discharge, seek medical advice.
In general, about 8 weeks after surgery the woman is reevaluated to check the result of the surgery and be released to become pregnant.
