What Is a Retroverted Womb?

A retroverted womb, also called a tipped uterus, is a uterus that tilts backward, toward the spine, instead of forward or straight up and down. The condition is usually considered normal, as it affects about 20 percent of women. A retroverted womb is usually nothing to worry about, as it doesn't cause pain or affect a woman's fertility. In some cases, certain conditions can lead to a tilted uterus. Those conditions are usually also the cause of any pain or reproductive difficulties.

As a woman approaches menopause, she may be more likely to have a retroverted uterus, as the pelvic ligaments become weaker. Stretching of the uterus during pregnancy can also lead to retroversion after the baby is born. More serious causes of a retroverted womb included endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and tumors. In some cases, a tilted uterus can be confused with a tumor or fibroid. An ultrasound or an exam will help distinguish between a mass and a tilted womb.

Under most circumstances, a woman may not even know she has a retroverted womb, as there are no signs. Some women may experience lower back pain, pain during intercourse or menstruation, or frequent urinary tract infections. If a woman does have symptoms due to a tilted uterus, she may choose to undergo surgery to straighten the womb.

Other treatment options include inserting a device into the vagina to straighten the uterus. The device is usually only temporary, though, as prolonged use can lead to infection. Some exercises may help reposition the uterus if it becomes tilted due to weak ligaments. The exercises will not help if the tilt is a result of a disease, however.

While it was once thought that the position of a woman's uterus impacted her fertility, medical experts now know that is not the case. A woman with a tilted uterus has just as good a chance of conceiving as a woman with a straight or forward-tilting womb as long as she does not have any other underlying conditions that affect fertility.

If the uterus is tilted as a result of a condition such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), treating those conditions may ease symptoms. Endometriosis or PID are usually also to blame if a woman with a retroverted womb struggles with infertility as well. PID can be treated with antibiotics, while endometriosis is usually treated with pain medications and, in some cases, a hysterectomy.