Arcuate Uterus

An arcuate uterus is when the top of your uterus is indented. A typical uterus is slightly rounded at the top. With an arcuate uterus, there’s a tiny dip or dent at the top. The dip is very shallow. It doesn’t significantly change the shape of your uterus.

This condition usually doesn’t cause symptoms or affect your health in any way. You’re born with an arcuate uterus. About 3.9% of all women have one. Many healthcare providers consider it a normal variation (difference) of the uterus and not a true abnormality. 

Symptoms of arcuate uterus

You usually don’t have any symptoms of an arcuate uterus. It doesn’t affect menstruation or pregnancy or cause pelvic pain.

Arcuate uterus causes

An arcuate uterus is a Müllerian duct anomaly. In typical fetal development, the ducts merge to form one single uterus. But if these ducts don’t fuse, it causes a misshapen uterus. An arcuate uterus means there’s a dent at the top of the uterus where these ducts didn’t fuse.

What are complications of an arcuate uterus?

People with an irregularly shaped uterus usually have a greater chance of endometriosis. But researchers aren’t entirely sure if a strong connection exists between arcuate uterus and endometriosis.

Many people with an arcuate uterus have healthy pregnancies and may never know they have this condition. But one study found that you may have a higher risk of complications, like preterm birth.

Your pregnancy care provider is the best person to talk to about your risk for complications.

Does it cause miscarriages?

No, an arcuate uterus won’t cause a miscarriage. If you have a miscarriage, it’s likely due to another reason.

How doctors diagnose an arcuate uterus

You usually don’t know you have an arcuate uterus until you have a prenatal ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound to diagnose another medical condition. Your provider may use an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

How is it treated?

Healthcare providers typically don’t treat an arcuate uterus because it doesn’t cause any health issues. The complications of having surgery to repair it usually outweigh any potential benefits.

Can I get pregnant with an arcuate uterus?

Having an arcuate uterus shouldn’t prevent getting pregnant. Your uterus is still able to expand to accommodate a growing fetus. Other types of irregularly shaped uteruses may not be able to expand.

Does it affect delivery?

It shouldn’t. You may have a slightly higher chance of your baby being in a breech position. If this happens, you may need a C-section delivery.

What’s the difference between a septate uterus and an arcuate uterus?

A septate uterus is when your uterus is divided into two parts by a thick membrane. A septate uterus can cause pregnancy complications.