We treat all types of conditions affecting your uterus during your childbearing years through menopause.
Medically reviewed by Clara Paik, M.D. on Aug. 03, 2023.
At UC Davis Health, we’re committed to giving you the highest quality of care and the most advanced treatments for uterine conditions through each stage of your life.
Your uterus is a hollow reproductive organ in your lower pelvic area. The blood and tissue you shed during menstruation come from your uterus. During pregnancy, the baby grows in your uterus.
Conditions that affect your uterus include:
We're committed to giving you the highest quality of care and the most advanced treatments for uterine conditions through each stage of your life.
Your symptoms depend on the type of uterine condition you have, which areas of your body it affects and how bad it is. Symptoms may be mild or severe.
Symptoms of uterine conditions include:
Call 911 or get medical care right away if you experience:
The cause of many uterine conditions, including endometriosis and uterine fibroids, is not known. Other uterine conditions may or may not have a known cause.
DNA changes that happen before birth cause congenital abnormalities that affect the size and shape of your uterus.
Long-term constipation can lead to uterine prolapse.
Certain factors may raise your risk of some uterine conditions. These factors include:
Your risk of uterine cancer and uterine prolapse increases as you get older. You have a higher risk of uterine polyps if you are 40 to 60 years old.
Having close relatives with endometriosis may raise your risk.
Higher hormone levels, such as during pregnancy, raise your risk of uterine fibroids. Longer lifetime exposure to hormones due to starting menstruation at a young age or having menopause at a late age also may raise your risk. Taking estrogen without also taking progesterone increases your risk of uterine cancer and uterine polyps.
Being overweight raises your risk of uterine cancer, uterine fibroids and uterine prolapse.
Diagnosing uterine conditions begins with discussing your symptoms and a pelvic exam. For this exam, your OB-GYN will visually inspect the external parts of your vagina and cervix. Your OB-GYN will also manually feel for problems with your uterus.
These are procedures where your provider takes a small sample of tissue or cells. A pathologist then looks at the sample under a microscope for signs of cancer or other problems.
Your health care provider passes a thin, flexible scope through your cervix into your uterus to look for problems.
This test requires a small incision in your lower abdomen. Your provider then inserts a thin tube with a camera on the end to look for problems in and around your uterus.
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test uses radio waves to create a detailed image of your uterus and surrounding organs so your provider can look for problems.
This is an imaging test where your OB-GYN inserts a slim ultrasound device into your vagina. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your uterus.
Our team of OB-GYNs has access to the most advanced equipment for diagnosing uterine conditions. We use the latest noninvasive or minimally invasive methods.
Our Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) providers collaborate with specialists across UC Davis Health to give you the most comprehensive care for uterine conditions.
Your treatment depends on what type of uterine condition you have. Treatment may include more than one therapy. If you plan to have children, you may also work with a family planning specialist to understand potential fertility problems.
Hormones, including hormone-suppressing therapy, can treat some uterine conditions. These options include birth control, drugs to stop your menstrual cycle and other medications that keep your hormones balanced.
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or some of your cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. This is also a treatment for uterine cancer. We have expertise in robotic-assisted hysterectomy, an advanced procedure that allows you to recover quicker than older surgical methods.
Kegels are special exercises that can help treat mild uterine prolapse. These exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles to support your uterus.
You may need medication to reduce bleeding if you have heavy vaginal bleeding caused by uterine fibroids or other uterine conditions. These include Elagolix® and tranexamic acid. You also may need to take an iron supplement if you have anemia from heavy bleeding.
We use minimally invasive techniques that require only a small incision to remove uterine fibroids or polyps. You have quicker recovery times than traditional open surgery.
A vaginal pessary is a round plastic device that treats uterine prolapse. It fits under your cervix and helps hold your uterus in the correct position.
Many uterine conditions are not preventable. Going to your annual women’s wellness appointment and getting screenings can help catch problems early.
11%Of U.S. women have endometriosis
Source: National Library of Medicine: Incidence of endometriosis by study population and diagnostic method: the ENDO study
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