Uterine Diseases

Summary

The uterus, or womb, is the place where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The first sign of a problem with the uterus may be bleeding between periods or after sex. Causes can include hormones, thyroid problems, fibroids, polyps, cancer, infection, or pregnancy.

Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes birth control pills treat hormonal imbalances. If a thyroid problem is the cause, treating it may also stop the bleeding. If you have cancer or hyperplasia, an overgrowth of normal cells in the uterus, you may need surgery.

With two other uterine problems, tissue that normally lines the uterus grows where it is not supposed to. In endometriosis, it grows outside the uterus. In adenomyosis, it grows in the uterus’s outside walls. Pain medicine may help. Other treatments include hormones and surgery.

Specifics

• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding American Academy of Family Physicians
• Adenomyosis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Cervicitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Double Uterus Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Endometrial Hyperplasia American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Uterine Polyps Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Patient Handouts

• Adenomyosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Asherman syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
• D and C Medical Encyclopedia
• Endometrial ablation Medical Encyclopedia
• Endometrial polyps Medical Encyclopedia
• Endometritis Medical Encyclopedia
• Hysteroscopy Medical Encyclopedia
• Retroversion of the uterus Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Uterine Diseases National Institutes of Health

Encyclopedia

• D and C – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvic ultrasound – abdominal Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Treatments and Therapies

• Dilation and curettage (D&C) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Diagnosis and Tests

• Hysterosalpingography Radiological Society of North America
• Hysteroscopy National Library of Medicine
• Laparoscopy National Library of Medicine
• Pelvic Exam Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Pelvis Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America

Genetics

• Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Müllerian aplasia and hyperandrogenism: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Uterine diseases

Related Issues

• Vaginal Pessary American Academy of Family Physicians