Many girls and women face challenges associated with the infantile uterus, as some of them suffer from a delay in the start of their menstrual cycle or irregular menstrual periods. There are also those who lose hope in motherhood due to the long treatment period that requires a lot of patience. Have you ever heard of the infantile uterus? When is the uterus considered infantile? What are its effects on women's health? Are there treatments available for this condition, or is it difficult to treat? We will review together in Dalili Medical all this information in this article, so follow us.

**What is the infantile uterus?**

 

The infantile uterus is a congenital defect that a woman is born with, where the uterus is smaller than the normal size. This may hinder the possibility of pregnancy naturally when the girl grows up. In some cases, the uterus may narrow or shrink in size as a result of certain factors, such as diseases or medications.

**Does the infantile uterus prevent pregnancy?**

 

Yes, the infantile uterus can prevent pregnancy. There is a clear relationship between the infantile uterus and a woman's ability to get pregnant or get married, as the inability of the uterus to contain the fetus leads to repeated miscarriages or even no pregnancy at all, which makes the infantile uterus a dangerous condition.

**Is the infantile uterus hereditary?**

 

The causes of the infantile uterus are related to a deficiency in the formation of the uterus, which means weak renewal of the endometrial cells or the presence of a large number of immature cells in this lining.

**Does IVF succeed in treating the infantile uterus?**

 

The success of the IVF process in cases of the infantile uterus depends on several factors, including the size of the uterus, the degree of the infantile uterus, the efficiency of ovulation, and the size of the egg. In some cases, IVF may succeed and fulfill the dream of pregnancy, while in other cases, repeated miscarriages may occur, which prevents the completion of the pregnancy.

How can a girl know that she suffers from the infantile uterus?

 

There are some common symptoms that indicate the presence of the infantile uterus, such as the small size of the vaginal opening or its absence, in addition to the absence of menstruation despite the girl reaching puberty.

Can an unmarried girl be treated for an infantile uterus once it is discovered, or does it require waiting until marriage?

 

This depends on the degree of the infantile uterus, and treatment should be started immediately if the doctor deems it necessary. The earlier treatment is started, the better the results. Treatment is not affected by whether the girl is a virgin or married, as most of the treatments used depend on stimulating hormones, which do not affect virginity.

Is it necessary for an infantile uterus to lead to infertility?

 

This depends on the size of the uterus and whether it allows pregnancy or not, in addition to whether it has a normal shape or contains deformities. It varies from one case to another.

**Causes of an infantile uterus**

Congenital infantile uterus has no known specific causes, but is the result of a failure to form the uterus during the fetal period. This may lead to the complete absence of the uterus, causing the girl to be born without a uterus, or the uterus may appear deformed, or be smaller than its normal size, which is known as an infantile uterus.

Acquired infantile uterus is a condition that affects females after birth and leads to an acquired small uterus. Among the causes that may lead to this condition are:

- The girl being infected with some diseases such as measles and German measles.

- Exposure to some psychological and nervous diseases.

- Smoking, whether positive or negative.

- Alcohol consumption.

- Malnutrition.

- Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.

- Performing some surgeries such as ovarian removal.

- Complications of some diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disorders.

**Acquired infantile uterus:** The infantile uterus is considered a congenital defect that a girl is born with. However, in some cases, this defect can be acquired, where the girl is born with a normal uterus and then its size shrinks significantly due to one of the following reasons:

1. Removal of parts of the reproductive system, such as the ovaries.

2. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

3. Severe weight loss and malnutrition problems.

4. Infection with some diseases in childhood, such as measles and rubella.

5. Psychological diseases or disorders of the nervous system.

**Types of infantile uterus**

The infantile uterus exists in several forms, which are:

1. **Simple infantile uterus**: It is characterized by being completely normal, but its size is small and contracted.

2. **Elongated infantile uterus**: The uterus here is elongated and somewhat long.

3. **Deformed infantile uterus**: A deformity appears in the shape of the uterus, such as being in the shape of the letter T.

**Grades of infantile uterus**

There are several degrees of the condition of the infantile uterus, which are:

1. **First degree infantile uterus**: The length of the uterus is only between 1-3 centimeters, and in this case it cannot be treated, as this is considered the most severe degree of the condition.

2. **Second degree infantile uterus**: The length of the uterus exceeds 3 centimeters, and regular and prolonged hormone therapy can help in achieving pregnancy in this case.

3. **Third degree infantile uterus**: The length of the uterus is about 7-8 centimeters, and pregnancy is possible in this case.

**Symptoms of the infantile uterus**

The severity of the symptoms of the infantile uterus varies from mild to severe, depending on the degree of the condition. In the third degree, the symptoms may not be completely noticeable, and the condition is often discovered by chance during an abdominal ultrasound examination. Symptoms that may appear in cases of the infantile uterus include:

- A noticeably small vaginal opening, which may be completely absent.

- Absence of menstruation despite reaching the appropriate age.

- Increased severity of menstrual pain above the normal rate.

- Pain in the lower abdomen.

- Delayed pregnancy.

- Recurring miscarriages.

- Premature birth.

**The effect of the infantile uterus on pregnancy**

The infantile uterus is considered one of the main factors that lead to infertility in women, but it is not the only reason for not getting pregnant in all cases. In the case of a third degree infantile uterus, pregnancy can occur naturally, although it may be accompanied byQ with premature birth, or the pregnancy may be completed naturally as well.

As for the first degree infantile uterus, it does not allow pregnancy to occur at all, and is considered a major cause of infertility in women.

Regarding the second degree, it may lead to failure to become pregnant or to miscarry the pregnancy before the fetus is fully developed. Therefore, the effect of the infantile uterus on pregnancy depends on the size of the uterus and its ability to contain the fetus until it is fully developed and reaches the stage of birth.

**Complications of the infantile uterus**

The complications of the infantile uterus are evident in its effect on a woman's ability to conceive, as it can lead to failure to become pregnant at all or repeated miscarriages.

Moreover, the third degree of the infantile uterus increases the likelihood of premature birth and increases the need for a cesarean section. Therefore, its complications include infertility, premature birth, and facing difficulties during the birth process.

**How ​​to Diagnose an Infantile Uterus**

 

Usually, an infantile uterus is not diagnosed until adulthood, when menstruation is not observed. Diagnosis begins with a physical examination that includes a pelvic examination, in addition to a set of the following tests:

1. **Blood tests**: Used to detect Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a condition that causes the uterus and vagina to stop growing and developing early in life, with other symptoms.

2. **Ultrasound**: Performed to check the size and integrity of the uterus.

3. **Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)**: Used to obtain clearer details about the uterus, its tissues, and surrounding organs

**Treatment of an Infantile Uterus**

Treatment generally depends on the cause of uterine hypoplasia and the condition of the affected person, as symptoms vary as do the types and degrees of an infantile uterus from one woman to another, so the condition must be accurately diagnosed before a decision is made to implement the treatment options available to the woman.

Among these treatment options for enlarging the childish uterus:

**Treatment of the childish uterus with artificial hormones** Hormonal therapy is considered one of the basic treatments used to treat the childish uterus, where hormone levels in the body are very low, which leads to the uterus not growing normally. Hormone replacement therapy is used, where estrogen or progesterone or both are used together, according to the instructions of the attending physician. Treatment continues for 21 days, followed by a one-week break, then treatment is repeated, and this pattern continues for up to 6 months, where an increase in the size of the uterus by about 1 cm is observed. Hormonal therapy is considered a stimulant and contributes to enhancing the chances of pregnancy.

**Treatment of the childish uterus using vaginal dilators** The use of vaginal dilators is considered an effective method in treating the childish uterus. These dilators are plastic tubes specially designed to help expand or shape the vagina. These dilators are used daily, and this process may last from six weeks to several months.

**Laparoscopic treatment of the infantile uterus** Although surgical intervention to treat the infantile uterus is not considered the first choice in most cases, there are some simple cases that require the use of a laparoscope. This procedure involves expanding the tubes inside the uterus, and after the operation is completed, stimulating hormone therapy is usually recommended for a period of several months, according to the specialist doctor's discretion. This method has proven successful in treating simple cases of the infantile uterus.

**Laparoscopic treatment of the infantile uterus** Stem cells are essential elements in treating many intractable diseases. Stem cell transplantation is a modern method that is considered the mother cell of all body cells, as it has the ability to divide and regenerate to form new cells.

Over the past years, this technique has been developed significantly and has been successfully applied in very delicate medical cases. Scientists have recently indicated that the use of stem cells may represent a glimmer of hope for achieving the dream of millions of children, especially in cases that were considered hopeless and for which medicine has been unable to find solutions for hundreds of years, such as the lack of sperm production in men or cases of infantile uterus in women. This method is performed in some universities in the United States of America, where the stem cell transplantation technique is used in the female reproductive system by injecting cells into parts that need to be rebuilt, enlarged or repaired with birth defects, along with taking some hormone-stimulating treatments.

Note: So far, there is no treatment for infantile uterus with stem cells in Egypt, but some clinical trials are being conducted in this field.

**Treatment of infantile uterus using natural methods**

 

Some herbs may contribute to treating infantile uterus, but we must emphasize that they do not replace drug treatment. Among these herbs are:

1. **Increased consumption of hot spices**, especially black pepper.

2. **Prepare a mixture** of sage, parsley, cumin, ginger and yeast in equal proportions, then boil it in rose water and drink it five times a day.

3. **Mix 40 grams of palm pollen, 40 grams of sea costus, 40 grams of pollen, and 30 grams of soft fenugreek**, then mix these ingredients with 250 grams of pure honey. Take a spoonful of it on an empty stomach in the morning and before bed. If the woman is married, a vaginal suppository can be used for an hour in the morning.

4. **Prepare a drink** of ginger, sage, marjoram and cinnamon in equal proportions, and drink a cup of the decoction.

5. **Mix garden cress, thousand leaf herb, wormwood and mint** in equal proportions, and drink a cup before bed.

6. **Drink a cup of senna and sennut** on an empty stomach.

7. **Prepare a tablespoon of chopped parsley** after washing it well, then put it in a cup and fill it with boiling water. Stir well, cover, and leave for a quarter.An hour before drinking, once or twice a day.

8. **Mix cinnamon, juniper, chamomile and costus** in equal proportions, and drink a cup of the decoction.

Mix 40 grams of palm pollen, pollen and ginseng roots, then add them to 200 grams of pure honey. It is recommended to take a tablespoon of this mixture every six hours.

Use pulse and frequency waves for physical therapy twice a week on the uterus and ovaries.

Bee venom can be injected at a ratio of 1:2 into the uterus and ovaries, in addition to taking a drop of bee venom at a concentration of 1:7 on an empty stomach and before bed.