Uterus Didelphys

Uterus didelphys (or double uterus) is when you have two uteruses. It’s a rare condition that you’re born with. Each uterus has its own fallopian tube and ovary. You may or may not have two vaginas and two cervixes.

Your uterus starts as two ducts. Typically, these ducts fuse together to create your uterus, which is one hollow organ. If you have uterus didelphys, the two ducts don’t fuse. Instead, each duct creates its own uterus, so you’re born with two.

Do you have two vaginas with this condition?

Not necessarily. You could have two vaginas. You can also have one vagina, with a septum (or wall) splitting it into two vaginas. You’ll usually have just one vaginal opening, so you wouldn’t necessarily know you had two vaginas.

Symptoms of a double uterus

Uterus didelphys may not cause any symptoms. Often, a healthcare provider finds it during a pelvic exam.

If you have symptoms, they could include:

• Frequent miscarriages
• Painful cramping before and during your period
• Pain during sex or when inserting a tampon
• Heavy bleeding during your period
• Leaking blood when using a tampon

Uterus didelphys causes

Uterus didelphys occurs when two ducts (the Müllerian ducts) don’t fuse properly during fetal development. These ducts usually join to create one uterus. If you have a double uterus, the ducts didn’t join, and each duct turned into its own uterus. Healthcare providers aren’t entirely sure why Müllerian ducts don’t fuse in some people.

Complications of this condition

A double uterus usually doesn’t cause significant health complications. You and your healthcare provider can work together to manage symptoms of painful periods, pain during sex or heavy menstrual bleeding.

But there are risks during pregnancy. You’re at greater risk for the following complications:

• Miscarriage
• Preterm birth
• Early labor
• Breech babies
• C-section delivery
• Low birth weight
• Growth restriction
• Torn vaginal septum at the time of vaginal delivery

Talk to your healthcare provider if you wish to get pregnant. They can best help you understand the risks of being pregnant with his condition.

How doctors diagnose uterus didelphys

Your healthcare provider may diagnose a double uterus during a routine pelvic exam after feeling two cervixes or two vaginas. They’ll likely order additional imaging tests of your uterus to get a closer look. These could include:

• Ultrasound
• MRI
• Sonohysterogram
• Hysterosalpingogram

How is uterus didelphys treated?

Most healthcare providers don’t recommend treating a double uterus unless you have symptoms like recurrent miscarriages or severe pain. If this is the case, your healthcare provider may suggest surgery to fix your double uterus. It involves removing the tissue that divides your uterus (and vagina) in two.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should contact a healthcare provider anytime you have the following symptoms:

• Extremely painful periods
• Heavy bleeding during your period
• Pain during sex or when inserting a tampon

If you have a double uterus, some questions you might ask your provider are:

• What treatment do you recommend?
• Can I still have a healthy pregnancy?
• What can I do to increase my chances of a successful pregnancy?
• Should I have surgery before I get pregnant?

Can you get pregnant with uterus didelphys?

Yes, you can get pregnant. You may be at an increased risk for pregnancy complications like miscarriage and preterm birth. Your healthcare provider will monitor your pregnancy closely to make sure you and the fetus are healthy.

Can it cause infertility?

Generally, a didelphic uterus doesn’t cause infertility.

Will I have a miscarriage if I have uterus didelphys?

You won’t have a miscarriage just because you have a double uterus. But your chance of miscarriage is slightly higher. This is because your uterus is smaller, which restricts how the fetus grows. The shape can also affect the placenta and the blood flow within your uterus.

Can a woman with two uteruses get pregnant in both?

It’s possible, but extremely rare. One study found that the odds of a woman with two uteruses being pregnant in both are 1 in a million.

Do people with two uteruses get two periods?

Usually, yes. If you have two uteruses, both are controlled by the same hormones, so you'll usually have your period from both at the same time. If a partial vaginal septum blocks the flow of blood, your period may last longer or seem like two periods back-to-back.