anyone else with a bicornuate uterus?

[betty31]

I had another ultrasound scan the other day, and the lady also did an internal scan as she had the time and told me there and then that I had a bicornuate uterus, but that's all she could really tell me. Still on the path to diagnose endo, hoping they won't just use the shape as the reason for all my problems!

[luthien]

It's when the uterus is v shaped.

It can be the cause of menstruation problems, pain and fertility issues. Hopefully you'll have your ultrasounds reviewed by a specialist whom can go through what exactly yours looks like as there's varying degrees of malformed shaping. They can also explain what it means for you.

Keep pushing for your endo diagnosis too, but don't exclude the uterus shape as it can affect the function too.

[MusicallyBent]

Hi Betty! This is my very first comment on the forum and I thought I might be of some help

During my recent discovery of endometriosis, this past January I also had an internal ultrasound and was told that a bicornuate uterus was found, but that the severity of the uterine deformity was unknown. My previous GYNO told me that I would need to get an HSG dye test to confirm the uterine shape. (This GYNO also did not want to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy on me to confirm Endo or even recommend me to another specialist, and she couldn't understand why I just wouldn't "take the pills"). Then this spring I moved across country and got a new GYNO who said that the HSG test was unnecessary for my purpose ( it is generally used to diagnose infertility issues related to the fallopian tubes), and she instead recommended I get a saline test. This September I was able to get a saline-infused sonohysterography (a mouthful I know!), which ruled out a complete bicornuate shape and instead suggested I have either an arcuate or a septate uterus. Which one they were not sure. They are both heart-shaped, with one being separated by an extra piece of flesh (septate) which can be removed in surgery, and the other being the actual shape of the muscle (arcuate). I was frustrated as I was told that I would get a definitive answer with the saline test, which was quite painful for me to be honest! I was totally willing to go through any pain necessary to get to an answer.

In November I was finally approved for and underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis (which was confirmed!) and my surgeon also completed a hysteroscopy during the same surgery so that I could finally get an answer to my uterine shape diagnosis. It was concluded that I have a mild arcuate uterus deformity. I was told that it would likely have little impact on pregnancy and that I could take the pictures they had taken from the procedure to a fertility specialist when I wanted to start a family and get a better opinion. Now I'm armed with all of this info so that I know exactly what I am working with.

So please make sure you get a second opinion, or in my case even a fourth! Be your own advocate, and don't be afraid to go through the necessary procedures to get an accurate diagnosis with both your uterine abnormality and potential endometriosis. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about your body and how it functions, the more you will be able to treat it the was it deserves. I hope this helped at all! Good luck

[betty31 in reply to MusicallyBent]

this was an amazing reply!! can I asked where you moved from and to? I'm in Cheshire!

[MusicallyBent]

Sure! I'm just going through this journey too, it's really helpful to have others to share the experience with. I am actually from the States, I found this awesome Endo community through a Google search and it was the best one I came across. I'm so happy to be welcomed as a part of the community, across the pond I moved from New York State to Texas, and back to New York State when I couldn't get proper medical help there. Cheshire seems absolutely beautiful, I'd love to visit!

[betty31 in reply to MusicallyBent]

oh no I was hoping this was an NHS story! bit further away than I thought! yes I love it here. We're really fortunate that despite it being a bit of a postcode lottery with NHS, we're not restricted by insurance etc. I think it's a fab community!