Pregnancy Loss Pregnancy Loss Causes and Risk Factors How a Septate Uterus Increases Miscarriage Risk By Krissi Danielsson Krissi Danielsson Krissi Danielsson, MD is a doctor of family medicine and an advocate for those who have experienced miscarriage. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 15, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). He is the director and founding partner of CCRM New York and was named a rising star by Super Doctors from 2017 to 2019. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print kupicoo/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Causes Diagnosis Treatment A septate uterus is a congenital malformation in which a thin membrane called the septum divides the uterus either partially or completely. It is a genetic abnormality a woman is born with but one that can be treated surgically, if needed, to improve the chances of successful pregnancy. Overview A septate uterus significantly increases the risk of miscarriage and may be a key factor in recurrent miscarriages. While statistics vary, the rate of miscarriage in women with septate uteri is believed to run anywhere from 25% to 47%. By contrast, the rate of miscarriage in the general population is only between 10% and 25%. Moreover, the rate of recurrent miscarriage in women with uterine malformation is between eight percent and 23%. Roughly a third of these will have a septate uterus. Causes While a septate uterus does not affect a woman’s ability to conceive, it can complicate her pregnancy. The septum itself is a fibrous tissue that doesn’t have much of a blood supply. So if a fertilized egg is implanted on the septum, it has less chance of developing normally since the nutritional source will be largely cut off. The one unusual aspect of a septate uterus is that miscarriage can often happen well into the second trimester. By contrast, the vast majority of miscarriages occur during the first trimester and often without a woman even knowing it. Women with septate uteri who do not miscarry are also believed to be an increased risk of preterm labor. Can Premature Labor Be Stopped? Diagnosis A septate uterus often remains undiagnosed until a woman experiences repeated miscarriage. At other times, the doctor may stumble upon it during a routine physical exam. This is because is a septate uterus is often accompanied by similar malformations of the cervix and vagina. Typically referred to as a "double cervix" and "double vagina," these are often the first clues of a similar abnormality in the uterus. Doctors will begin the investigation with either an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A definitive diagnosis may require on a hysterosalpingogram (an X-ray procedure highlighting the uterus) and/or hysteroscopy (a visual examination using a lighted scope). Even with these examinations, a septate uterus can sometimes be misdiagnosed as a bicornuate uterus, also known as a “heart-shaped uterus." While the malformation is by no means considered normal, it does not typically increase the risk of miscarriage. Treatment A septate uterus is treated with surgery, most commonly by removing the septum during a hysteroscopy. This is a fairly minor procedure usually performed on an outpatient basis. The technique, called metroplasty, is minimally invasive and involves the insertion of a medical device through the cervix and into the uterus to cut away excess tissue. This can be usually be performed in between 30 and 60 minutes. Antibiotics and estrogen may be prescribed afterward to prevent infection and aid in the healing. Hysteroscopic metroplasty can improve chances of a successful pregnancy in women with recurrent pregnancy by 53.5%, according to a comprehensive analysis of 29 studies conducted from 1986 to 2011. It is unnecessary to women with septate uteri who have no intention of getting pregnant. On its own, a septate uterus poses no risk for cancer. Overview of High-Risk Pregnancy Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips delivered to your inbox. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Rikken JFW, Kowalik CR, Emanuel MH, et al. The randomised uterine septum transsection trial (TRUST): design and protocol. BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):163. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0637-6 Lev-toaff AS, Kim SS, Toaff ME. Communicating septate uterus with double cervix: a rare malformation. Obstet Gynecol. 1992;79(5 ( Pt 2)):828-30. Kenda Šuster N, Gergolet M. Does hysteroscopic metroplasty for septate uterus represent a risk factor for adverse outcome during pregnancy and labor?. Gynecol Surg. 2016;13:37-41. doi:10.1007/s10397-015-0916-2 Additional Reading Valle, R. and Ekpo, G. "Hysteroscopic Metroplasty for the Septate Uterus: Review and Meta-Analysis." Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2013; 20(1): 22-42.