Myth that the uterus wandered through the female body causing various problems overcome by studies that show that the mobility of the uterus is fundamental for pelvic health
The ancient wandering theory suggested that many diseases in women were caused by the uterus to move and wander through the body in search of humidity.
According to these theories, the uterus could wander freely through the body, pressing the liver or lungs and causing symptoms such as dyspnea, fainting and emotional anguish, something that was later called hysteria, the Greek Hystera (uterus).
The treatments included the smoking of the body bottom with aromatic herbs to attract the uterus downwards, smelling the penetrating smells to push it from the chest and give weight on the abdomen to prevent the uterus from undergoing.
Marriage and pregnancy were prescribed as medicine, given the belief that an active uterus was happy and well polite.
In the 18th century, progress in anatomy and dissection began to refute the idea that the uterus could move physically. However, the myth of the wandering uterus lasted until the beginning of the twentieth century in the diagnosis of “female hysteria”, a general condition without evidence to understand various symptoms.
Although the uterus does not go like a balloon in the chest cavity, it changes position. And this is important. Mobility is essential for fertility, menstruation, pregnancy and pelvic health.
How much does the uterus move?
The uterus is between the bladder and the rectum, suspended by a series of ligaments. These do not immobilize him, but allow him to balance and lean.
Its position can be in advance (inclined forward on the bladder), the retroversion (angle towards the rectum and the spine) or something intermediate. These variations are completely normal and may vary.
This position is important. The uterine corner can affect the place where menstrual pain is felt. In women who have a rear -seal uterus, the discomfort can radiate on the lower back. For others, the cramps feel more at the bottom of the abdomen.
The uterus that saves the slope can directly press the bladder, which increases the need to urinate, especially at the beginning of pregnancy. The opposite, in a backward slope, can press the rectum, which contributes to constipation or swelling.
During sexual excitement, the uterus rises slightly and stretches the vaginal canal. During delivery, it contracts hard and pace, lifting the cervix and helping to expel the fetus.
Even the cervix – the narrow opening at the base of the uterus – is not fixed. Its height, consistency and opening vary during the menstrual cycle in response to hormonal signs.
During ovulation, it rises and softens to allow the entrance of the sperm. Before menstruation, it descends and again.
The uterine pipes
Perhaps the most surprising anatomical revelation is that an uterine tuba (also called a fallopian tube) on one side of the body can capture an ovary egg on the opposite side. If there is a real search engine in the reproductive tract, it is the uterine tuba.
Each month, during ovulation, Fimbrias (fingers -shaped projections at the end of the horn) travel on the surface of the ovary, guiding the egg released at the entrance to the horn.
The fallopian tube is not directly anchored to the ovary, it finds it. Like a marine anemone in a slow room, she explores, flexes and moves.
After the egg has been captured by the horn, the smaller eyelashes similar to the hair that cover the internal surface of the horn in combination with muscle contractions to move towards the uterus.
This process is very important, but also helps to explain the risk of ectopic pregnancy – when the embryo begins to develop outside the uterus. If the fertilized egg is blocked in the horn instead of reaching the uterus, it becomes a medical emergency.
It is precisely this mobility of the pipes that makes them vulnerable to this type of problem.
The ovaries are also slightly mobile, suspended from ligaments that allow the center of the movement center inside the pelvic cavity. This becomes particularly evident after an ISistectomy (when the uterus is removed), which can cause the movement of the ovary, which sometimes hinders images of images or planning of surgery.
Although its movement is more limited than the uterus or tubes, the ovaries play a role in pelvic dynamics. On rare occasions, this can cause ovarian twist, a painful torsion of the organ that requires emergency treatments.
As normal, excessive movement or low support can cause problems. Uterine prolapse (when the uterus descends into or beyond the vaginal canal) can be caused by the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which usually occurs after various births or cause of age -related changes.
It is a mechanical failure, not moral. Unfortunately, history has not always dealt with the topic in this way.
In the same way, the adhesions caused by endometriosis or previous intervention can limit the natural mobility of the organs, causing intense pain since the structures that should slide mutually end trapped and inflamed.
Although the uterus moves, it does so within the anatomical boundaries and under the influence of ligaments and hormones, not in itself.
The ancient myth of “wandering uterus” reflected larger worries for the female body: which was unpredictable, rebellious and necessary control.
Today, thanks to diagnostic imaging techniques, dissection and anatomical studies, we can abandon this myth and understand more clearly the true role of the mobility of the uterus.
*Michelle Spear is an anatomy professor at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.
This entry was originally published on the Academic News website The Conversation and republished here with a Creative Commons license. Read the original version here.
Source: Terra
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