Endometriosis & a Tipped Uterus - Frequently Asked Questions

The following are questions and answers regarding the relationship between endometriosis and a tipped uterus.

Q: If I have endometriosis does it also mean I have a tipped uterus?

A: No. Having endometriosis does not mean you have a tipped uterus nor does having a tipped uterus mean you have endometriosis. However, women with endometriosis in specific locations, like the cul-de-sac, may have a tipped uterus from fixation of the uterus by adhesions from endometrial implants.

Q: Does endometriosis cause my uterus to tip backwards?

A: Maybe. Endometriosis located in specific locations, like the cul-de-sac, may produce adhesions which can bind to the uterus and pull it into the tipped position.

Q: Will a uterine suspension procedure like UPLIFT reduce the pain caused by endometriosis?

A: No. A uterine suspension procedure does not reduce pain from endometriosis. As a secondary procedure used in treating endometriosis it does two things:

1. In surgical treatment for endometriosis a uterine suspension procedure may be used as a secondary procedure to hold the uterus away from the surgically treated area during the healing process. This helps prevent the uterus from binding to the healing tissues and from becoming tipped (retroverted).
2. When the uterus is tipped backward into the pelvic cavity from endometriosis, painful intercourse called collision dyspareunia may result. A uterine suspension procedure re-positions the uterus to reduce or eliminate collision dyspareunia.

Q: Does pain during intercourse mean I have a tipped uterus from endometriosis?

A: No. However, statistics show that approximately 30-60% of women with endometriosis experience some degree of pain during intercourse. This is an important symptom your doctor/nurse needs to know about when diagnosing your pelvic pain.

Q: Does my tipped uterus and endometriosis make me less likely to become pregnant?

A: Endometriosis "yes", tipped uterus "probably not". Endometriosis is diagnosed in 20-68% of women evaluated for infertility who are of reproductive age. The inability to become pregnant is a common symptom of endometriosis.

It is rare that a tipped uterus alone would be the primary cause of infertility unless all other potential possibilities are ruled out through an exhaustive fertility workup.

Infertile women with minimal to mild endometriosis who are surgically treated for endometriosis appear to show a greater likelihood of becoming prenant in the 9 months following treatment for endometriosis.¹ However, pregnancy rates are also dependent upon:²

• The amount of endometriosis removed
• The amount of adhesions lysed
• The growth of the persistent disease
• The growth of new endometriosis
• Amount of postoperative adhesions
• Other infertility factors, i.e., ovulatory & sperm problems