The medical term for a “tipped uterus” is an “anteverted” (tilts forward) or a “retroverted uterus” (tilts backward). Neither rarely, if ever, is this a cause of infertility.

The uterus consists of two parts, the lower cervix, and the upper body (fundus) of the uterus. The cervix is about 2 inches or so long, while the body sits on top of the cervix and is about the size of a pear. The fundus can be somewhat bigger in women who had a baby, and it can be smaller in women who did not have a baby and women in their menopause.

Neither position, in and of itself, interferes with your ability to get pregnant.

Both the cervix and the body of the uterus are attached to the pelvic sidewalls by several ligaments. These ligaments are flexible and allow the uterus to tilt slightly forward or backward. Women who have had vaginal deliveries have more flexible ligaments than women who never had a baby before.

It’s normal to have a slightly forward tilt uterus (“anteverted uterus”), which is flexed towards the bladder, and about 1 in 4-5 women have a backward (“retroverted uterus”)  uterus, tilt towards your spine. Neither position in and of itself interferes with your ability to get pregnant.

Sometimes there is a reason for a retroverted uterus. Endometriosis, endometrial lining located outside the uterus, or pelvic inflammatory disease can sometimes cause a retroverted uterus. Scar tissue may interfere with the normal motion of uterus and the fallopian tubes, decreasing the chance of getting pregnant by preventing the egg from reaching the sperm

If you have a severely tipped uterus, inserting a speculum and trying to look at the cervix may be somewhat uncomfortable.

A retroverted uterus can occasionally become uncomfortable during sexual intercourse. Because the penis usually gets in close contact with the upper portion of the vagina, it could hit against a retroverted uterus, and possibly making either or both sexual partners uncomfortable. Changing positions and allowing the uterus to move will usually improve the discomfort.

If you are trying to conceive and you are told you have a “tipped uterus” you should ask your doctor whether there is a specific cause such as scarring or endometriosis that may interfere with your fertility.