PMS, Pain, and Other Downfalls of a Wandering Uterus

When it comes to uterine position, most health professionals are concerned by prolapse (the uterus descending

through the vaginal canal), severe retroversion or anteversion (the uterus tilting too far backward or forward), and anteflexion or retroflexion (uterus folding forward or backward). All other versions of off-center are are considered “normal” because they are common. Well, getting a cold is common, but that does not mean having one is “normal” or healthy. Malpositioning of the uterus can lead to a host of surprising issues.

PMS and Menopausal symptoms

In a neutral position, the uterus can easily shed its lining during your period with just a little shimmy. Things are more difficult when tilted backward, forward, or to either side. To clear the lining when in a less optimal position, the uterus, which is a muscle, must crunch and twist resulting in menstrual cramps.

Other common period symptoms (bloating, fatigue, irritability, etc.) can occur because displacement interferes with the hormonal feedback loop between the uterus and the rest of the body. Similarly, the hormonal disruption causes the menopausal symptoms we also consider "normal" - hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, libido changes, and all the rest.

Though nutrition and other environmental conditions contribute to both PMS symptoms and menopausal symptoms, resetting the uterine position has the potential to decrease or even alleviate all of these discomforts.

Painful sex

A tilted uterus can effectively shorten the vaginal canal. This leaves less space for penetrating objects sometimes resulting in a deep, sharp pain. The shortening will also strain the pelvic floor. While there is no definitive research to back this hypothesis (something I hope to eventually rectify), I believe this misalignment and the resulting pelvic floor stress may contribute to vulvar vestibulitis as those glands may be agitated by the imbalances in the pelvic floor muscles. As anyone who has had vestibulitis can attest, any amount of pressure on the glands produces sensations ranging from itching to burning to tearing. (Fun, right?) There are, of course, many elements to correcting pelvic floor imbalances.* Centering the uterus is an effective, gentle start.

*To start working directly with your pelvic floor, here is a guided self massage practice.

Fertility struggles

Stand with your legs further than shoulder width apart. With your knees straight and keeping both feet flat, lean so all of your weight is on one leg. Feel how the compression and tension your weight bearing leg increases? Feel the stretch and tightening in your other leg?

When your uterus shifts to either side, the pathways via which your egg reaches the uterus are crunched and stretched like your legs. Consider that Fallopian tubes are only the breadth of a hair - exactly enough room through which developed ova can travel. Any kinks can creates blockages which can affect your ability to conceive.

A centered uterus allows for the most neutral positioning of your Fallopian tubes and the most optimal conditions for pregnancy.

Pain in the hips, low back, or pelvis

Five different ligaments support the uterus. Like the pressure put on the Fallopian tubes, these ligaments can be overtaxed when the uterus is off center. Because four of these ligaments attach to the pelvic bones, the strain can cause misalignment putting undue stress on the attached muscle and throughout the fascial web, both of which can impact nervous connection. Any of these imbalance may lead to pain. A dull ache in the low back, discomfort in either or both hips, or a pinching near the pubic symphysis are all potential symptoms of a displaced uterus.

The last set of ligaments attaches to the labia majora which can cause an uncomfortable, heavy feeling in the pelvis. (As a side note, this feeling is also a sign of that aforementioned prolapse.)

Varicose veins and stretch marks

The pelvis is the gateway through which all the blood in your legs passes to return to the heart and lungs. Yet for as much blood runs through this area, much of the tissue in the pelvis is avascular, meaning there are fewer avenues for that blood to flow. Throw the uterus out of whack and the tissues can get congested. It becomes more difficult for blood to flow upward through the available pathways putting excess pressure on the veins causing them to bulge and become visible through the skin. Poor blood flow also hinders skin regeneration leading to stretch marks over the low back, hips, and thighs. While there are other causes for both of these occurrences, correcting uterine position can certainly help.

How to Support Your Uterus and Your Health

Simple massage techniques, such as the Womb Massage and Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage® (now known as Tul'ix Indigenous Arts), can adjust ligament imbalances and recenter the uterus allowing for better blood flow, hormonal balance, and optimal function. For more information, contact an Arvigo provider near you. If you would like to work with me (an Arvigo Pracitioner), book your initial session here. Not ready to book? Schedule a consult or post questions in the comments below.

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