Is My Uterus Tilted? What You Need To Know

Chances are, you don't spend a lot of time thinking about the alignment of your reproductive organs. But there may be more variations to your body than you realize. For instance, how do you know if you have a tilted uterus, and how might this variation affect your life?

For starters, what is a tilted uterus, anyway? According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), the uterus is typically vertical in your body, but sometimes women have a uterus that is tipped or tilted backward. You might imagine a globe that's positioned a little off-center.

Chances are, you will not figure out the angle of your uterus by yourself. As noted by Women's Health, a vaginal exam is the only way to really see which way your uterus leans. With this in mind, the most certain way to know whether you have a tilted uterus is to ask your gynecologist.

Although the idea of a uterus that looks like it's playing limbo may alarm you, it's actually a common condition. In fact, 20 to 30 percent of women may have a tipped uterus, as noted by ObGyn.net. Basically, having a tipped uterus is more common than being left-handed, and probably less likely to have a serious effect on your life.

Although the tilted uterus itself is unlikely to present any marked effects on your day-to-day life, the underlying conditions that potentially cause this shift may present some problems. For instance, according to Better Health, a tilted uterus may be the result of endometriosis, fibroids, or simple natural variation. Again, if it's just the result of natural variation, then you may have no idea your uterus is tipped. But if it's caused by a condition such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, for instance, then these underlying conditions may present you with additional health problems, as noted in Baby Center. In particular, endometriosis is notorious for causing pain and even fertility issues.

Aside from these underlying conditions, though, a tipped uterus is a simple bodily quirk. It is unlikely to cause you any pain or health troubles. In fact, you may have a tipped uterus your entire life and not even know it until you ask your gyno to take a peek.