Does a small uterus really affect fertility?

The uterus is the organ that nurtures the fetus, and only a normally developed uterus can nurture a fetus. A uterus that is smaller than normal is medically known as uterine hypoplasia. Many women cannot get pregnant because of this reason. So does that mean all women with uterine underdevelopment are infertile? So will a small uterus affect fertility? Let me give you the answer to this question.

The normal uterus is 7-8cm long, 4-5cm wide, 2-3cm thick, and has a uterine cavity volume of 5ml. If the patient's uterine body is measured by B-ultrasound to be less than 5cm, 4cm, and 2cm in length, respectively, and the uterine cavity volume is less than 5ml, she is diagnosed with "uterine hypoplasia", or "small uterus".

Types of small uterus:

Primordial uterus: also called vestigial uterus, this is because the two sides of the mesonephric ducts stop developing shortly after merging. This type of uterus is very small, only 1 to 3 cm long, and is sometimes called a small uterus. However, because there is no endometrium, there is no menstruation, and most patients have no vagina. Currently, such patients are still hopeless of becoming pregnant.

Immature uterus: also known as uterine hypoplasia, refers to a uterus with normal structure and shape, but smaller size. The length, width and thickness of the uterus are less than 5 cm, 4 cm and 2 cm respectively. Only those with this diagnosis can be diagnosed with "uterine hypoplasia". In patients with uterine hypoplasia, the cervix is ​​relatively long, the uterine body is smaller than normal, and it is often extremely anteverted or retroverted. It accounts for about 16% of infertile patients.

So, does a small uterus affect fertility? Why does uterine hypoplasia lead to infertility?

Traditionally, it is believed that uterine dysplasia is caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and ovarian insufficiency, which leads to insufficient secretion of estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian dysfunction often occurs without ovulation or corpus luteum insufficiency.

There are also some patients whose endocrine system and ovulation are normal, but whose uterus is very small. This is due to multiple unfavorable factors that cause infertility in women with uterine hypoplasia. With the improvement of scientific level nowadays, most patients can restore the normal function of the uterus through certain treatments. As long as they find a treatment method that suits their condition, it is not difficult for patients with small uterus to become pregnant successfully.