Understanding Septum Uterus: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Many patients are unaware of Septum Uterus until they reach their childbearing age. A birth defect, where a membrane divides the uterus into two cavities, is amongst one of the most common congenital uterine exceptions and is known as a septum uterus or the uterine septum.

Septum Uterus occurs when the inside of the uterus is divided by a thin wall of tissue known as a septum.

A uterus is a hollow cavity that is shaped like an upside-down pear, and if you have a septate uterus, your uterus will tend to have two smaller cavities rather than one single cavity. This is when a septum acts as a partition in your uterus.

What causes the septum uterus to develop?

Most people with a septate uterus are asymptomatic, and it does not give you any symptoms until your healthcare starts to examine the cause of repeated miscarriages.

Septum Uterus Happens Due to

Incomplete Fusion

In ordinary terms, the uterus develops from two small tubes, Mullerian ducts. These often become completely united in order to come up only with an open-headed uterus. But in a septate uterus, they widely fail; instead, the union ends up prematurely forming a septum wall forming within the uterus.

How Does a Septum Uterus Condition Affect Fertility?

Septum Uterus does not affect a woman’s fertility, but it is something a woman is born with, and it does involve major complications, but during pregnancy, it involves recurrent miscarriages.

As the tissue of the septum is different from normal uterine tissues with an altered blood supply in the septum. Consequently, it does not allow successful implantation of an embryo into the uterus, so it is not successful even in the rare instances when implantation is successful.

What are the symptoms of a Septum Uterus, and how to diagnose it?

Septum Uterus does not always show symptoms, but when they do,They can be-

• Recurrent Miscarriages: Normal in early pregnancy because of poor blood circulation in the septum.
• Infertility: Difficulty conceiving because the embryo struggles to implant properly.
• Painful Periods, also known as Dysmenorrhea: Some women may experience severe menstrual cramps during periods. 
• Irregular Periods: Though rare, menstrual irregularities can occur.
• Pelvic Pain: Mild discomfort due to the abnormal structure.

How to diagnose a Septum Uterus?

A septate uterus can be diagnosed with multiple tests like MRI, ultrasound, hysteroscopy, or some other imaging to visualise the structure of the uterus and other tests as per the requirements.

1. Ultrasound (2D or 3D)

• 2D Ultrasound: A simple ultrasound that might suggest uterine anomalies.
• 3D Ultrasound: More specific and detailed in diagnosing structural anomalies like a septate uterus. The contour of the uterus can be nicely visualised for diagnosis.

2. Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

• It is a specific X-ray technique in which a contrast agent is instilled into the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes to render contrast to the uterine cavity on the X-ray film.
• It can demonstrate the presence of a septum or any other anomalies in the structures.

3. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

• MRI creates high-quality images of the uterus in which the internal structure is visible.
• The physician resorts to the procedure in case there are doubts left over after doing any other test.

4. Hysteroscopy

• This is the least intrusive procedure, during which a thin camera is inserted from the cervix so as to observe through it the internal lining of the uterus.
• This procedure, not only in the diagnosis, can also be used for surgical treatment, like removal of the septum.

When to seek diagnosis for Septum Uterus:

In case of recurrent miscarriages, failure to conceive, or experiencing pelvic pain, you should visit a doctor for an evaluation.

Treatment for Septum Uterus: Live a Healthy Life.

• This structural anomaly impacts both fertility and the course of a pregnancy, so there is very much hope because various treatments do work to make life easier with a septate uterus. Here is the most commonly encountered treatment used on a patient for a septate uterus.

Hysteroscopic Metroplasty (Surgical removal of the septum)

• This is a minimally invasive surgery, using a small camera called a hysteroscope to remove the septum from the uterus.
• How It Helps This procedure restores normal uterine cavity shape that enhances fertility chances and reduces risks of miscarriages.
• Recovery: Usually, a very short recovery time follows the procedure, and most women are able to resume their normal activities in a few days.

Monitoring and Observations

• In some cases, if the condition of the septate uterus is not causing any hindrance to conception or miscarriage, the doctor might just advise monitoring the condition.
• Regular check-ups ensure that there are no complications or changes that need treatment.

Fertility Treatment

• If a female who has a septate uterus can’t become pregnant with the presence of a septum, the doctor might recommend fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilisation, if other factors are involved in the infertility.

Hormonal Therapy

• In very few cases, hormonal treatment may be prescribed to normalise the menstrual cycle or to prepare the uterus for pregnancy, but surgery is still the best treatment for the septum itself.

Conclusion

For further details, you can contact Origyn IVF for further assistance for Septum Uterus and for other treatments too. Check out our website to learn about the most advanced treatment facilities available at Origyn IVF in Delhi NCR. Here, you’ll find expert care and advanced solutions to help with your fertility and reproductive health issues. We have a team dedicated to ensuring that you are treated with personalised care and with the best standard of service for your parenthood journey.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. Is the treatment for a septum uterus painful?

• Hysteroscopic metroplasty is generally very well tolerated and causes minimal discomfort. The surgery is minimally invasive and performed through small incisions, so most women recover quite quickly in just a few days.

Q2. Can I Get Pregnant After Treatment for Septum Uterus?

• Yes! Most women who have the septum removed will be able to conceive naturally afterwards. If the woman has additional fertility concerns, treatments such as IVF may be recommended for successful pregnancy.

Q3. What is the cost of Septum Uterus treatment at Origyn IVF?

• The costs vary with how complicated the procedures are and  what is required. We offer consultations to understand your treatment plans and provide you with transparent pricing. To know more about us, visit our website https://www.origynivf.com/  or call us at 8080809084.

Q4. How do I schedule an Origyn IVF consultation?

• You can easily book an appointment by visiting our website https://www.origynivf.com/, or sending in an inquiry form, or even just directly contacting our team to schedule a consultation. From there, the experts will then take you through every minor detail.

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About Dr. Rashmi Sharma:-

Dr. Rashmi Sharma is an IVF specialist Consultant Reproductive Medicine and Director Origyn Fertility & IVF New Delhi MBBS (BHU), MD(BHU), DNB, MNAMS, FICOG, Diploma IVF and reproductive Medicine (Kiel University, Germany) Web Editor, Indian Fertility Society (2024-26) Former HOD, IVF dept, Moolchand Hospital, Delhi (2009-13) and Max Hospital, Pitampura, Delhi  (2013-17), Director, Origyn Fertility & IVF, which has 4 branches across Delhi.

Origyn IVF has been accredited for 1-year fellowship in IVF and reproductive medicine along with an MSc in Clinical Embryology under Amity University and IFS Collaboration. Recipient of the “C. S. Dawn Award” for best paper presentation on her work on IVF /ICSI with genital tuberculosis, at All India Congress Of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AICOG 2010) Recipient of “Hall of Fame – Best IVF specialist in India – North” at Economic Times – National Fertility Awards,2019 and 2023 & 2024. 

Origyn IVF received “Best IVF center in North India” and “Most integrated team in IVF, India – North” at Economic Times – National Fertility Awards, 2019 & 2024 Recipient of “Best IFS Executive” at Fertivision – 2018, Kochi. Authored various chapters in infertility books of repute. Many national and international paper presentations and publications.