The Uterus

The uterus is an amazing part of every woman's body. It is probably the most unique reproductive organ in humans. It is the part of a woman's body that creates an environment where an embryo can grow. As special as this organ is, it can also be a pain - literally. This is the organ than not only holds life, but also horrific menstrual pain, bleeding problems, infections along with being an organ that is at risk of endometriosis, benign growths, and cancer. The more you understand about your uterus the more insight you will have if there are any changes in your pelvic region, and decisions that may need to be made.

Where does it actually sit and what is it?

The uterus sits in your lower pelvic region, above the vaginal canal (the base being the cervix) in front of the rectum, and behind the bladder, it is about the size of a small clenched fist (that is, before you have a child).

The uterus is made up of muscles, these muscles contract during a menstrual cycle and when a woman has a baby (these muscles help to push the baby out), the uterus muscles also contract during orgasm.
Lining the cavity of the uterus wall is the endometrial cavity. This cavity is lined with endometrial cells that are replaced everyday via the influence of ovarian hormones. Ovarian hormones obviously come from the ovaries which branch off either side of the of the uterus and are connected by the fallopian tubes.

What can go wrong?

Fibroids - Fibroids are benign tumors. They usually occur during the early thirties and onwards. Researchers are still unclear as to the definite cause of fibroids, except there is a definite genetic predisposition. So if your mother had them, you may be likely to have them. Fibroids can grow to the size of a grapefruit, at this size it will usually cause symptoms such as pain, bleeding and pressure in the uterus. At this point they should be removed. Some fibroids are asymptomatic (they produce no symptoms), these often do not need to be taken out. Fibroids can also grow in other areas of the pelvic region and can effect the ability for a female to fall pregnant.

Bleeding - Fibroids can be a cause of heavy bleeding or abnormal bleeding, but there are also other reasons for this occurring. The other extreme is little or no bleeding. This can be caused by an imbalance in hormones. This typically occurs when the body stops ovulating. It can also be caused by large amounts of stress, or a dramatic change in weight. In either case if these conditions occur, please see your doctor for further testing.

Cancer - As much as no woman wants to hear the word cancer, the uterus can be affected by this. Cancer of the uterus is more common in women aged between thirty and forty. There are several types of cancer that can grow in the uterus one of which is referred to as epithelial cancer. This cancer grows in the lining of the uterus, including the endometrium, and is by far the most common and makes up for around 95 % of cancer that grows in the uterus. This cancer is more commonly seen in women over fifty years. The second kind of cancer that may occur is called a sarcoma. This cancer can grow in either the muscular wall of the uterus or within the lining. This cancer is more likely to reoccur after removal than the epithelial cancers.

Protecting the uterus

The best way to prevent these conditions from worsening is to know your body. If anything changes that you are unsure about, make sure you visit your doctor, these include:
Unusual bleeding, or a change in your periods
Pelvic pain

It is a good idea to have a pelvic examination by your doctor once a year. Your doctor may be able to feel for any abnormality, such as masses.
If you are choosing a method of contraception and trust your partner, consider the contraceptive pill, as it has been found to protect against the development of uterine cancer. A low fat diet and exercise can also protect against endometrial cancer.

- Louise Ganey