Uterine Septum: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Explained

If you’ve recently been told you have a uterine septum, it’s natural to feel confused and concerned about what this means for your health and fertility. As a gynecologist & fertility specialist, I meet many women who only discover this condition when they are trying to conceive or after experiencing recurrent miscarriages. 

Here’s  everything you need to know — what a uterine septum is, why it happens, how we diagnose it, and the treatment for a uterine septum that gives excellent results.

What is a Uterine Septum?

A uterine septum is a congenital condition, meaning it is present since birth. It occurs when the uterine cavity is divided by a thin wall of tissue.

• Sometimes this partition is limited to the uterus.

• In other cases, it may extend into the cervix and even the vagina.

This division reduces the space inside the uterus and can affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes.

Types and Classification of Uterine Septum

There are different types of uterine septa depending on how far the partition extends:

• Complete Septum: extends from the uterus into the cervix and vagina.

• Partial Septum: confined to the uterine cavity (the most common type).

Every case is different, and the treatment approach depends on the extent of the septum.

Causes of Uterine Septum: Embryology Simplified

The uterine septum forms during embryological development. The uterus, cervix, and upper vagina develop from the paired Müllerian ducts (also called paramesonephric ducts).

During this phase, two structures called the Müllerian ducts are moved downward and fuse in the midline, forming a single uterine cavity, the cervix, and the upper portion of the vagina.

If there is a defect in fusion, this can result in a bicornuate uterus (incomplete fusion).

If fusion occurs correctly but resorption (cavitation) of the midline tissue fails, a uterine septum forms.

The septum is a fibrous or fibromuscular partition within the uterine cavity.

Because the Müllerian ducts form the uterus, cervix, and upper vagina, a septum can potentially extend along the full length of the uterus.

Septa rarely extend into the cervix or vagina; most septa are confined to the uterine cavity.

What Are the Symptoms and Clinical Features of a Uterine Septum?

Most women with a uterine septum do not experience symptoms. The condition usually comes to light:

• After marriage, when a couple is trying to get pregnant and faces difficulty conceiving

• During investigations for primary infertility

• After facing repeated miscarriages

Since it’s an anatomical condition, it doesn’t typically cause pain or other noticeable symptoms. This is why the uterine septum is often detected late, only when fertility challenges appear.

Diagnosis: How Do We Detect a Uterine Septum?

The most reliable and simplest method is a 3D pelvic ultrasound.

• It provides a clear image of the septum and its length.

• No additional advanced imaging is usually necessary.

• MRI is only considered if there is doubt about associated anomalies.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a uterine septum or are struggling with infertility or recurrent miscarriages, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice. At our clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating uterine anomalies with precision and care. 

Book your consultation.  1800-268-4000 with Dr. Jay Mehta at Shree IVF Clinic, Mumbai. As one of India’s leading experts in hysteroscopic surgery and fertility care. He has successfully treated countless women with uterine septum and helped them achieve healthy pregnancies.

 Your fertility journey deserves the right care—take the first step today.

What is the best treatment for a uterine septum?

This is an anatomical problem that has been present since birth. As a result of this, any type of medical management does not work.

When the lady has a septum in the uterus, the only procedure that is available to correct it is surgical management, which is typically done by a highly trained surgeon using hysteroscopic surgery—either with the help of a bipolar resectoscope or a cold scissor.

In this procedure, a small camera is passed inside the uterus, and with the help of a special instrument, the entire surgical correction is done. The time that we take for correction is typically approximately 5 to 7 minutes. The majority of patients are discharged within 4 to 6 hours after the procedure is completed.

This procedure is safe, quick, and highly effective in restoring the normal anatomy of the uterus.

Uterine septum Prognosis and Outcomes

The good news is that the outcomes after surgery are excellent.

• Fertility outcomes improve dramatically.

• Women often conceive naturally after correction.

• Recurrence is extremely rare when the procedure is done by an experienced surgeon.

What happens if a uterine septum is left untreated?

If left untreated, a uterine septum can cause:

• Primary infertility: Difficulty in achieving pregnancy

• Recurrent miscarriages: Pregnancy losses due to the septum interfering with implantation or fetal development.

• Emotional and psychological distress due to repeated pregnancy loss

Addressing the condition early can help prevent these complications and improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. This is why timely diagnosis and treatment are so important

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