WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for September, 1999: Re: 2 Cervixes; 2 Uterus

Re: 2 Cervixes; 2 Uterus

From: Kelly Shanahan, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 18 Sep 1999 12:58:47 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Deborah: "2 Cervixes; 2 Uterus"

At Fri, 17 Sep 1999, Deborah wrote: >
>My daughter is 27 yrs. old and was diagnosed at Johns Hopkins when she
>was 19 of having 2 cervixes and 2 uterus as the cause for her extreme
>menstrual discomfort.
>
>Today (9/17/99), she got a call (from her HMO provider), after her
>regular checkup that she had an "irregular pap" from one cervix and the
>other had "bled" during the test. She was offered a gynocological for
>"futher tests" on 10/6. She was truly frightened.
>
>What can she expect from the exam?

It is difficult ot say since I don't have more information -- if the "irregularity" was inflammation then she will be evaluated for infection. If she had a "squamous intraepithelial lesion" then she may have a colposcopy, a test is which the cervix (or in your daughter's case, cervices) is looked at with a microscope; biopsies are taken of abnormal areas and used to determine what treatmetn, if any, is needed. A colposcopy is kinda like a long pap smear.

>
>She was advised at 19, that the only way she might carry a child to term
>was to have surgery 1 year before a pregnancy to remove the wall between
>the uterus' and she might have to "miscarry" a couple of time before she
>would be strong enough to carry to full term.
>
>Has anyone any experience with duplicate organs? If so, speak to me of
>your changes, medical and psychological.

If she has 2 uterii and 2 cevices then she has a uterus didelphus. Many women with uterine didelphus have a septum running lenghtwise down the middle of the vagina. About 70% of women will have successful pregnancy outcomes, although miscarriage rates and preterm labor rates are higher than in a woman with a normal uterus. Miscarriage occurs in about 30% of cases of uterine didelphus (vs 20% in hte general population) and preterm labor occurs in about 20%.

Sometimes surgery is recommended to reconstruct the uterus; this is done abdominally and should be done by someone with significant experience.

-- Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG

Replies are for educational purposes only. They do not take the place of a consultation with your own doctor, nor do they construe any doctor-patient relationship. Private e-mails WILL NOT be answered due to the fact that I am answering this question after my baby is in bed and I do need some sleep myself! Plus, my husband is getting jealous of the computer.

Next message: Lisa: "Yeast Infection and Cramping"
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In reply to: Deborah: "2 Cervixes; 2 Uterus"

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