Do you know where the heck your uterus and ovaries are?
What I didn’t mention in the video was how deep within the belly the uterus is. The fundus (top of the uterus) is about 40% deep into the pelvis from the front. To get to the level of the uterus, you have to sink through several layers of the belly:
- skin
- superficial fascia (fatty layer)
- membrane layer
- deep fascia layer
- muscle
- transversalis fascia
- parietal peritoneum
You most likely won’t feel the uterus when it’s in the proper position unless it’s enlarged or when large fibroids are present. You may feel it when the uterus is way off to one side or extremely anteverted (tipped forward). The top part of the uterus (the fundus) is what you will feel if you feel anything which feels kind of like a water balloon. Don’t worry about whether you can feel it or not, the important thing is that you can visualize it. Also, you won’t feel it when it’s retroverted (tipped back). However, you may be able to tell by symptoms of back pain and thinner stools right before your period.
In the Womb Care course, I teach you self abdominal massage for uterine care. The self-care massage improves blood, lymph, and energy flow throughout the pelvis and pelvic organs and gently guides the uterus to an optimal position. I also teach specific exercises for retroverted and prolapsed wombs as well as pelvic alignment, herbal remedies, and other supportive tools. The class includes over 8 hours of video lessons broken down into short digestible clips and 10 ebooks!
Below you’ll find several images and a video of uteri to give you a better picture of where the uterus is and what it looks like. Keep in mind that an average size of a uterus (during reproductive years) is about 4 oz. when not menstruating and 3″ high, 2″ wide, 1″ thick. The uterus decreases in size slightly after menopause due to hormonal expression. The ovaries also recede posterior toward the rectouterine pouch (between the back wall of the uterus and the rectum).
Looking at the uterus from the front.
Source: Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/
Clay Womb Models. The uterus can vary in size depending on whether you have had babies, or are postmenopausal. The volume of a uterus can also increase right before and during your period. Fibroids and adenomyosis can also increase the size of the uterus.
Finding the ovaries in the pelvic ovarian zone.
And finally, this is what a uterus looks like while playing Astroids…
Learn more about your womb and how to do uterine self-massage in the online Womb Care course!
Hello Barbara, I was doing a bit of research and found your blog. My daughter is 36 with cerebral palsy and wheelchair bound. She’s been having tons of constipation and pain during her periods. Recently I noticed a bulge when digitally relieving her bowels. I read it might be a retroverted uterus. My question is can you feel the uterus from the anus with a finger? I was reading your retroverted uterus page but that was long ago I didn’t want to comment on that. Thank you!
Thank You for making this available. I was recently told that my uterus is retroverted and flexed.my stool most times have the shape of fritoes curved.I stay constipated and when I do have a .BM the pain is unbelievable.not durning the BM but right afterwards I have to lay down.the pain is awful,and when I step to the side I can feel some tissue flapping on the left side so I have to keep my legs close together,and sometimes when I’m urinating stool comes out ,not full BM’s but small stools. I urinate 10,15 and sometimes 20 x a night. I need help .any suggestions is greatly apprieciated. Thank You
Check out my retroversion article here: https://alignmentmonkey.nurturance.net/2012/retroverted-uterus/
It sounds like you may (of course I can’t be sure) have adhesions between the uterus and rectum. I would seek the help of a certified Arvigo practitioner who is experienced in performing the retroverted techniques. Or, if there isn’t a practitioner near you, look for a Visceral Manipulation™ therapist who has completed VM3. I’m not sure what you mean by “tissue flapping”. I would suggest seeing a pelvic floor specialist who is experienced in internal work.
Hi Tony, Yes, it’s possible to feel the uterus through the rectum when a retroverted uterus is present.
I have a polup in my uterus and it causes bleeding. Not a lot and not always. Is there anything I can do for this?
Omg you are so cool!! Just found your site and am loving your work. Always appreciate when someone points out how misleading images of uteruses in anatomy texts are. THAT VIDEO IS INCREDIBLE. Thank you for providing education and increasing self efficacy!
Thank you, Lucy. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂