What Is the Normal Uterus Position?

The uterus can be in different positions, which may be slightly abnormal, such as:

• Retroverted uterus: The uterus may be vertical in line with the plane of the vagina and lies tilted toward the tailbone, which is present in one-quarter of women. In most cases of a retroverted uterus, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are tipped backward too.
  • Generally, a tilted or tipped uterus does not cause any symptoms in most women. However, in some, a retroverted uterus can cause the following symptoms:
    • Pain during sex
    • Menstrual pain
• Anteflexed: The uterus may be tilted severely at the cervix in the abdominal region. 
  • Women with an anteflexed uterus may experience increased pressure in the pelvic region.
  • Other complications of the anteflexed uterus may include:
    • Pain during sexual intercourse
    • Pain during menstruation
    • Difficulty inserting tampons
    • Increased chances of urinary tract infections
    • Protruding lower abdomen
• Retroflexed: The uterus may be tilted backward severely, causing extreme tension on the ligaments and severe pressure in the low back.
  • Complications of the retroflexed uterus may include:
    • Pain in the vagina and lower back during sexual intercourse
    • Pain during menstruation
    • Difficulty inserting tampons
    • Frequent urinary tract infection
    • Mild incontinence (partial loss of bladder)
    • Protrusion of the lower abdomen

Yes, women can get pregnant with a tilted uterus. About 20 to 25 percent of women have a retroverted uterus.

• The position of the uterus does not affect the sperm’s ability to reach the egg.
• However, an extremely severe tilted uterus may interfere with the sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg.

A tilted uterus does not complicate labor and delivery. Sometimes, pregnancy can cause the uterus to tilt backward.

Most women are born with a tilted uterus. In rare cases, a tilted uterus may be caused by various conditions, which include:

• Menopause: Aging can weaken the ligaments holding the uterus, resulting in a tilted uterus.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which the cells that grow in the uterus grow outside them. These cells can stick the uterus to other organs, causing it to tilt.
• Pelvic surgery: Surgery in the pelvis can lead to the formation of a band of scar tissue, causing the uterus to tilt.
• Fibroids: Fibroids are benign tumors that can tilt the uterus to a backward position.
• Genetics: In some cases, if the mother had a tilted uterus, their children are likely to have a tilted uterus.