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Periods, sex or anything else like that shouldn’t cause constant pain — or worry.
But when they do, it’s time to get things checked out. This kind of discomfort can be a sign of many reproductive problems. Cysts. Endometriosis. Fibroids. Or even an uncommon but painful condition called Müllerian anomalies of the reproductive tract. These start before birth, affecting how your reproductive organs develop. They’re sometimes asymptomatic (you don’t have any symptoms) but can also cause lifelong symptoms if left untreated.
Cleveland Clinic’s experienced healthcare providers are here to help. Our team treats many types of Müllerian anomalies. And we take the time to find out what’s causing your pain. We listen to you, answer your questions and help you feel confident about moving ahead with treatment.
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained providers focus solely on gynecological health and treat issues that require both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Meet our team.
Müllerian anomalies are unique and can affect you in different ways. That’s why you may see providers from different specialties. This team works together to make sure they treat all aspects of this rare condition, so you can have the best possible results.
We know that treating a reproductive problem can be stressful. Or even uncomfortable. We do what we can to make your treatment experience as relaxing as possible. Our caring team takes the time to know you and understand your concerns before treatment even begins. We’ll talk with you about your diagnosis, our treatment recommendations and fertility options.
We’re one of only a few centers in the U.S. that offer team-based care for Müllerian anomalies. And we recognize the need for clinical research to move care for this condition even further ahead. That’s why we have a patient registry to support diagnosis and treatment efforts.
Need a quick follow-up with your provider? Our convenient, online virtual visits give you an alternative to in-person appointments.
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Your reproductive tract forms during fetal development (before birth) from something called Müllerian ducts. These ducts grow into two tubes that eventually become the upper section of your vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes. During development, these ducts could develop incorrectly (Müllerian anomalies) into things like:
Müllerian anomalies can also cause problems with other organs, like your kidneys. They might also cause infertility (inability to get pregnant after at least one year of trying). Each Mullerian anomaly is unique.
These conditions can be painful for some people. You may get a diagnosis as a child or teenager. Or you might not learn about it until adulthood. No matter what, it’s important to get care from healthcare providers experienced with these rare conditions to make sure you get an accurate and efficient diagnosis.
When you come to your first appointment, your provider will listen to your concerns. And they’ll answer any questions you may have about what’s going on. Your story is important to them, so don’t be surprised if they also ask questions like:
Your provider will also go over your medical history (and ask more questions). And they’ll often do a pelvic exam to look for noticeable signs of a Müllerian anomaly. Then, they’ll order some tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Tests like a pelvic ultrasound, CT scan or MRI take pictures of organs which are part of your reproductive and urinary systems. These tests let us get a closer, more detailed look at what’s going on inside. And they’re important in helping our team make a correct diagnosis — and rule out other conditions.
From the moment you book your first appointment, you’ll have a team of dedicated and experienced providers on your side, like:
This team works together to pinpoint what’s going on. And they’ll use what they learn to craft the right treatment plan for your unique diagnosis.
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
Once we better understand what kind of Müllerian anomaly you have, we’ll work with you to build your personalized treatment plan. Your age, pregnancy goals and pain levels will also play a big role in guiding the treatment or combination of treatments we choose. You may have:
If you don’t have symptoms and aren’t planning to get pregnant, we may opt to do what we call “watchful waiting.” You’ll have regular checkups and testing to see if your condition starts to progress. And if you have increased pain and discomfort, we can explore other treatments.
If you feel worried or stressed about your diagnosis (and your future), our mental health providers can offer emotional support. They’ll help you sort through your feelings and have conversations with your loved ones about your diagnosis, treatment and health.
Physical therapy (PT) isn’t just for sore backs, sprains or broken bones. Cleveland Clinic offers many kinds of PT — including PT for pain from conditions like Müllerian anomalies. For example, if you only have a small part of your vagina, we can do a treatment called dilation to make it longer. Or we can teach you exercises to strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles and help with pain. Our experienced pelvic floor therapists will go over the treatment step-by-step with you, so you know what to expect.
If you hope to one day become pregnant, your care team will suggest an evaluation with our fertility specialists. We offer the latest therapies, ranging from medications to surgery to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Your provider may recommend surgery for your Müllerian anomaly, depending on what kind you have, how severe it is and your fertility goals. If you need surgery, it can often be done vaginally or through minimally invasive techniques (small incisions and quick recovery). Occasionally, you’ll need more complex, open (large incision) surgery and rehabilitation. Your providers always consider your specific diagnosis and goals when they plan your surgery. And they’ll go over all options and recommendations with you.
Finding out you have a rare reproductive condition might cause your brain to jump into overdrive with worries and questions. When you have a Müllerian anomaly, Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers will listen to your concerns. And we’ll work to find the right solutions for you so you can move more confidently into your future.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s Müllerian anomalies experts is easy. We’ll help you get the care you need.
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