Uterine Factors

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Congenital Uterine Anomalies - Womb Wonders & Woes

  • ASRM classification (Class I-VII) guides diagnosis. Prevalence: ~5.5% general, up to 24% in RPL.
  • Common Types: Septate (most frequent, poorest prognosis), Bicornuate (partial/complete fusion failure), Arcuate (mildest).
  • Impact: ↑ Implantation failure, RPL, preterm labor, malpresentation.
  • Diagnosis:
    • Screening: HSG (cavity), 3D USG (cavity + fundus).
    • Confirmation: MRI (non-invasive), Hysteroscopy + Laparoscopy (gold standard).
  • Management: Hysteroscopic metroplasty for symptomatic septate uterus significantly improves live birth rates.

ASRM 2021 Mullerian Anomalies Classification (Page 1)

⭐ Septate uterus has the worst obstetric outcome among Mullerian anomalies and benefits most from surgical correction (hysteroscopic metroplasty).

Uterine Fibroids & Polyps - Pesky Pelvic Growths

Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomas): Benign myometrial tumors.

  • FIGO Classification (Impacting Cavity):
    • Type 0: Pedunculated intracavitary.
    • Type 1: Submucosal <50% intramural.
    • Type 2: Submucosal ≥50% intramural.
    • Type 3: Intramural, contacts endometrium.
  • Impact on Fertility: Submucosal (FIGO 0, 1, 2) & large intramural (if distorting cavity) can ↓ implantation & ↑ miscarriage via cavity distortion, inflammation, altered contractility.
  • Diagnosis: USG, Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS), Hysteroscopy, MRI.
  • Management (Fertility): Myomectomy (hysteroscopic for submucosal; laparoscopic/abdominal for others). UAE generally avoided.

FIGO classification of uterine leiomyomata

Endometrial Polyps: Benign endometrial overgrowths.

  • Impact on Fertility: May cause inflammation or mechanical interference with implantation.
  • Diagnosis: USG, SIS, Hysteroscopy.
  • Management (Fertility): Hysteroscopic polypectomy usually recommended.

⭐ Submucosal fibroids (FIGO type 0, 1, 2) have the most significant negative impact on fertility and ART outcomes, and their removal is generally recommended.

Management Algorithm for Fibroids in Infertility:

Intrauterine Adhesions & Endometritis - Sticky Situations & Infections

  • Intrauterine Adhesions (IUA) / Asherman's Syndrome: Fibrous bands within uterine cavity.
    • Etiology: Post-curettage (esp. post-partum/abortal), endometritis (e.g., genital TB).
    • Clinical: Amenorrhea/hypomenorrhea, infertility, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL).
    • Diagnosis: HSG/SIS (filling defects); Hysteroscopy (gold standard for diagnosis & adhesiolysis). AFS/ESGE classification.
    • Management: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis; strategies to prevent recurrence (IUD, estrogen therapy, anti-adhesion barriers).

    ⭐ Hysteroscopy is the gold standard for both diagnosis and treatment (adhesiolysis) of Asherman's syndrome.

![Hysteroscopic view of Asherman's syndrome adhesions](https://ylbwdadhbcjolwylidja.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/notes/L1/Obstetrics_and_Gynecology_Fertility_and_Infertility_Uterine_Factors/b1439840-f6b7-45a0-8c82-19d96089615c.jpg)
  • Chronic Endometritis (CE): Persistent endometrial inflammation.
    • Etiology: Bacterial (often polymicrobial).
    • Diagnosis: Hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy (key: plasma cells CD138+).
    • Treatment: Antibiotics (e.g., Doxycycline 100mg BD x 14 days).

Adenomyosis & Endometrial Receptivity - Implantation Impediments

  • Adenomyosis: Ectopic endometrial glands/stroma within myometrium.
    • Fertility Impact: Impaired implantation, altered uterine contractility, inflammation, hostile environment.
    • Diagnosis:
      • TVUS: Heterogeneous myometrium, cystic anechoic spaces, '?' mark sign. Trilaminar Endometrium and Thickness
      • MRI: Thickened Junctional Zone (JZ) >12mm.
    • Management: GnRH agonists pre-IVF; surgery has limited fertility utility.
  • Endometrial Receptivity:
    • Key Factors:
      • Endometrial thickness >7-8mm.
      • Trilaminar pattern (USG).
      • Molecular markers (e.g., ERA test - investigational).
    • Thin Endometrium (<7mm):
      • Causes: e.g., Asherman's syndrome, clomiphene use.
      • Treatments (variable evidence): Estrogen, aspirin, sildenafil, G-CSF, PRP.

⭐ A junctional zone (JZ) thickness of ≥12 mm on MRI is a key diagnostic criterion for adenomyosis.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Asherman's syndrome (intrauterine adhesions), often post-D&C, severely impacts fertility.
  • Congenital uterine anomalies, especially septate uterus (most common, surgically correctable), cause recurrent pregnancy loss.
  • Submucosal and cavity-distorting intramural leiomyomas (fibroids) are key culprits for infertility.
  • Endometrial polyps can interfere with embryo implantation.
  • Hysterosalpingography (HSG) and hysteroscopy are primary diagnostic tools for uterine cavity evaluation.
  • Chronic endometritis can impair endometrial receptivity and implantation success.

Practice Questions: Uterine Factors

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What is the investigation of choice in congenital uterine anomalies?

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Flashcards: Uterine Factors

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_____ is typified by multiple ovarian follicular cysts accompanied by increased capillary permeability, in a patient on rx with HMG

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_____ is typified by multiple ovarian follicular cysts accompanied by increased capillary permeability, in a patient on rx with HMG

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

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