Anteverted Uterus

Overview

Shape and position of an anteverted uterus in relation to the rectum, cervix and vagina.
Position of an anteverted uterus in relation to the rectum, cervix and other body parts in your pelvis.

What is an anteverted uterus?

An anteverted uterus is when your uterus tilts forward at your cervix. Your uterus plays a critical role in your reproductive system. This upside-down pear-shaped organ is responsible for holding a baby during pregnancy and is a vital part of menstruation. It's located between your bladder and your rectum in your pelvis, although its exact positioning varies. A uterus being anteverted simply describes its position within your pelvis.

If your uterus is anteverted, the top part of your uterus is aimed at your pubic bone, and your cervix is aimed towards your rectum. An anteverted uterus typically sits on top and slightly behind the bladder and in front of your rectum.

Your uterus being in an anteverted position doesn't cause any health complications. It's considered a typical position of the uterus. You likely will not know your uterus is shaped this way until your healthcare provider tells you. In some cases, an anteverted uterus has a forward tilt that is severe. This can put pressure on your pelvis and cause discomfort during sex or menstruation.

How common is an anteverted uterus?

Approximately 70% to 75% of women or people designated female at birth (DFAB) have an anteverted uterus. It's a normal position of the uterus.

What is the typical size of an anteverted uterus?

An anteverted uterus is about the size of your fist. The average uterus measures 3 to 4 inches high and 2.5 inches wide, but the size of your uterus and its position within your pelvis (being anteverted) aren't directly related.

Is an anteverted uterus considered normal?

Yes, an anteverted uterus is considered normal. Your uterus can tilt at varying degrees. An anteverted uterus means your uterus tilts forward at your cervix and points towards your abdomen. You're usually born with your uterus in this position, much like the shade of your skin and the shape of your face.

How does an anteverted uterus affect fertility?

Having an anteverted uterus doesn't affect your ability to get pregnant. You can still get pregnant and have a normal pregnancy. If you aren't able to get pregnant and have an anteverted uterus, it's most likely caused by another condition.

Some of the health conditions that can contribute to fertility issues are:

Is an anteverted uterus good or bad in pregnancy?

Having an anteverted uterus is safe for pregnancy. An anteverted uterus will not impact your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. An anteverted uterus will grow to accommodate your baby and does not have any pregnancy risks.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the signs of an anteverted uterus?

You will most likely not have any symptoms of an anteverted uterus. It's not known to cause any health concerns. It simply describes the position your uterus sits within your pelvis. In some cases, the tilt is extreme and can cause pain. If this is the case, you might feel pain during sex or discomfort in your pelvic region.

Some people have the opposite of an anteverted uterus called a retroverted uterus. If you have a retroverted uterus, you're more likely to have symptoms like back pain or discomfort during sex. A retroverted uterus tilts backward towards the rectum.

What causes an anteverted uterus?

You're usually born with an anteverted uterus. This is not always the case, though. Your uterus has the unique ability to grow and shift, so you can develop an anteverted uterus later in life.

When a person is pregnant, a retroverted uterus will shift to an anteverted uterus around the second trimester. It can sometimes remain in the anteverted position. Scar tissue or adhesions from surgery or conditions like endometriosis can cause a retroverted uterus to change to an anteverted position.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is an anteverted uterus diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can tell if you have an anteverted uterus by doing a pelvic exam. During this exam, your healthcare provider will look and feel your vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries. A transvaginal ultrasound can also confirm which way your uterus tilts.

Management and Treatment

Do you need treatment for an anteverted uterus?

An anteverted uterus doesn't require treatment. It's considered a typical position for your uterus to be in.

Care at Cleveland Clinic

Prevention

How can I prevent health risks from an anteverted uterus?

There is nothing you can do to prevent an anteverted uterus, but you can prevent health complications of your uterus. Some things you can do are:

  • Wear condoms and limit your sexual partners to help reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • Get routine pelvic exams and Pap tests.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about any changes in menstruation, including the amount of bleeding and length of periods.
  • Discuss any discomfort or pain in your pelvic region, abdomen and low back with your healthcare provider.

Outlook / Prognosis

Are there any health risks from having an anteverted uterus?

There are no health risks associated directly with an anteverted uterus. As long as your uterus is healthy, you shouldn't experience any pain or symptoms of an anteverted uterus. Continue to see your healthcare provider for routine gynecological care like pelvic exams and Pap tests. These are the best measurements for the overall health of your uterus.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Since there are no health concerns with an anteverted uterus, there is nothing specific to discuss with your healthcare provider. If you experience any pelvic pain, irregular or heavy bleeding or signs of infection, you should contact your healthcare provider as these could be signs of a health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an anteverted uterus and an anteflexed uterus?

Your uterus is described as anteflexed when it's bent forward. An anteflexed uterus generally has more of a tilt to it than an anteverted position. An anteflexed uterus can put pressure on your abdomen or bladder. The direction of your cervix is similar in both positions, but the womb part of the uterus will be more sharply tilted to the front of your uterus is anteflexed.

How is an anteverted uterus different than a retroverted uterus?

If you have a retroverted uterus, your uterus tilts backward at the cervix. With an anteverted uterus, your uterus tilts forward at the cervix. People with a retroverted uterus can sometimes feel more discomfort during sex and menstruation. It doesn't usually cause any health problems and is less common than an anteverted uterus.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

An anteverted uterus is considered a normal position of the uterus. It describes the way it tilts within your pelvis. It does not carry any health risks and shouldn't cause any pain. If you have any concerns about having an anteverted uterus, talk to your healthcare provider.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/22/2022.

References

  • McEvoy A et al. 2020. Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, female pelvic cavity. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538435/) StatPearls. Accessed 3/22/2022.
  • Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Female genitalia. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 9th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019:chap 19. Accessed 3/22/2022.
  • Sanders, Roger C. et al. 2014. Anteverted Retroflexed Uterus: A Common Consequence of Cesarean Delivery (https://www.ajronline.org/doi/abs/10.2214/AJR.12.10403) American Journal of Roentgenology. 203:1, W117-W124. Accessed 3/22/2022.
  • American Pregnancy Association. Infertility in Women. (https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/female-infertility/) Accessed 3/22/2022.
  • American Pregnancy Association. Uterus size during pregnancy. (https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/uterus-size-during-pregnancy/) Accessed 3/22/2022.
  • Center for Disease Control. Common Reproductive Health Concerns for Women. (https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/womensrh/healthconcerns.html) Accessed 3/22/2022.

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