A women’s reproductive system is a complicated structure. It consists of internal and external organs that develop and change during the whole life. The uterus starts developing in the fetus in the first trimester of the pregnancy. It develops slowly until the beginning of puberty when it actively works. During the reproductive age, the uterus doesn’t significantly change. When the menopause occurs and the level of estrogen decreases, the uterus becomes smaller and gradually loses its functions.

However, many women are not aware of the functions and even the anatomical peculiarities of their reproductive system and can neglect serious health issues. Despite the fact that modern society doesn’t restrict the spread of information about the uterus and its functions, there is a lot of knowledge that is not taught at school or college. This results in serious problems like STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and other unpleasant consequences that affect women’s health. In this article, we gathered these four mind-blowing facts about the uterus you should know.

1. The uterus mostly consists of muscles

The uterus is an organ that mostly consists of muscles. These muscles are one of the strongest in the women’s body. They are responsible for holding a fetus during the pregnancy and the childbirth occurs thanks to them. These muscles help push the child through the cervix and vagina. You should also know that the uterine muscles tend to weaken with age and many women need a cesarian section because they are not able to deliver the baby on their own. 

2. The uterus can significantly enlarge and decrease

Due to its muscle structure and flexible inner lining that is called endometrium, the uterus can incredibly change its size. The size of the uterus before the conception is approximately two or three inches. But till the end of pregnancy, it significantly enlarges and contains the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid. However, the most interesting is that the uterus can return almost to its initial size after delivery. 

The cervix is a so-called “security” of the uterus as it prevents the penetration of microbes and infections. However, it also enlarges during the childbirth and lets the child into the vagina. After the delivery, it closes and returns to its regular size.

3. The uterus is a culprit of your pain during periods

Most women of reproductive age experience pain or discomfort during periods. Menstruation occurs when the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) shades and exits the cervix. In order to shed the endometrium, the uterus begins to contact. These conditions are the cramps that you may feel. 

Pain during periods is called dysmenorrhea that is divided into two types, primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs on the first day of the menstruation or the day before and usually disappears after childbirth. Secondary dysmenorrhea is a prolonged pain that is aggravated with certain medical conditions. In most cases, secondary dysmenorrhea requires treatment.

4. The uterus can have different growths

During the reproductive age, a woman can suffer from different growths that affect the uterus. The most common of them are uterine fibroids and polyps. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that can develop asymptomatically. In most cases, they are not dangerous and disappear during the menopause on their own. However, too large or multiple fibroids require special fibroids treatment. 

Uterine polyps are formed in the uterus from the endometrial tissue. Despite the fact that most of them are non-cancerous, you should observe their development as they can become malignant. If the uterine polyps become too large, they can even penetrate the vagina through the cervix. This may cause unpleasant sensations and bloody discharge during sexual intercourse.