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Anteverted uterus: causes, pregnancy, and treatment

Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro, 

Written by Kaitlin Sullivan 

Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro, 

Written by Kaitlin Sullivan 

last updated: Sep 21, 2021

2 min read

Here's what we'll cover

Here's what we'll cover

Almost all uteruses tilt in some direction, most commonly a little towards the front or back.

An anteverted uterus tilts slightly forward at the cervix, towards the belly. It isn’t good or bad, it’s just simply the way your uterus sits in the body.

Anteverted is technically considered the “normal” position for a uterus to be in, although only about half of uteruses are oriented this way. This is different from a retroverted uterus, which is when it tilts slightly towards the lower back. Sometimes a retroverted uterus is called a tilted uterus or tipped uterus.

If you have an anteverted uterus, you’ve probably never been told before since a uterus in this position doesn’t typically cause any issues (Ameer, 2021).

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Impact on sex

While an anteverted uterus doesn’t typically cause issues with sex, it’s still important to make sure you’re communicating to your partners which positions feel good for you.

If you experience pelvic pain or back pain during sex, you should see a healthcare provider to rule out an infection or other uterine conditions such as endometriosis.

Fertility

An anteverted uterus alone shouldn’t cause fertility issues or pregnancy complications.

There are many other factors infertility can be attributed to, including male and female reproductive organs, a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pelvic infections (Walker, 2021).

In females, ovulatory disorders (when ovulation either doesn’t happen at all or doesn’t occur every month) are the most common cause of infertility, accounting for 25% of female infertility. Ovulatory disorders are usually something people are born with or are a side effect of drastic weight loss, usually due to disordered eating (Walker, 2021). 

The most common hormonal disorder that impacts ovulation is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects at least 5% of women. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can help people with PCOS conceive if that’s what they want to do (Rasquin Leon, 2021).

Another condition that can cause infertility in female reproductive organs is endometriosis. This is when tissue grows outside of the uterus, creating pelvic adhesions and scar tissue that causes organs to stick together.

While there aren’t any drugs that can stop the progress of endometriosis, there are hormonal and non-hormonal treatments to help boost fertility (Tsamantioti, 2021).

Pregnancy

If you're having difficulty getting pregnant, visit a healthcare professional who can look for things like obstructed fallopian tubes, uterine abnormalities, or a hormone condition called hyperprolactinemia (Walker, 2021).

During pregnancy, it is possible for the uterus to flip, shift, or twist in another direction. This is rare, and usually only occurs in those with endometriosis or who’ve been pregnant before. To fix this, a healthcare professional can readjust the uterus back into its forward-facing position (Raissi, 2018).

When to see a doctor 

An anteverted uterus is not something to worry about compared to other uterine positions such as a prolapsed uterus. This is when muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor weaken, causing the uterus to slip down or stick out of the vagina.

Always consult a doctor if you notice abnormalities in menstruation or during your cycle. If you experience bleeding between periods, abnormal discharge, itching, pain, or feel something may be “off” it’s likely time for a check-up (ACOG, 2020).

Even when everything seems fine, people with a uterus should start seeing a gynecologist once a year starting in their early teen years. Annual visits can catch and treat issues that may affect fertility down the road, as well as any irregularities in uterine position (ACOG, 2020).

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

September 21, 2021

Written by

Kaitlin Sullivan

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.

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