Uterine Synechiae
Basics
Description
- Uterine synechiae are intrauterine adhesions (IUAs).
- Symptoms may include menstrual disturbance (amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, or dysmenorrhea), pelvic pain, recurrent spontaneous abortions (SABs), and/or infertility in a female of childbearing age.
- When specific signs or symptoms are associated with the presence of IUAs, it is called Asherman syndrome.
- IUAs can also be present in the absence of symptoms: asymptomatic IUAs.
- Severity of symptoms ranges from mild to moderate to severe, depending on the degree of adhesions (e.g., number, density, thickness, quality).
- There are seven different classification systems to categorize disease severity.
Epidemiology
Incidence
1.5% of all hysterosalpingographies
Prevalence
- Varies with geography, population profile, availability of diagnostic devices
- Asymptomatic population: 0.3% incidental finding of uterine adhesions
- After postpartum curettage: 22%
- After postabortion curettage: 37%
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Endometrial injury stimulates fibrosis. See “Risk Factors” for specific types of injury.
- Fibrous tissue replaces endometrial stroma and glands; replacing normal, vascular tissue with denser, less vascular tissue
- Eventually, endometrial lining becomes atrophic and inert.
Risk Factors
- 90% of cases result from curettage such as:
- Diagnostic curettage
- Postabortion curettage
- Postpartum curettage especially >48 hours postpartum
- Other risk factors include the following:
- Cesarean section
- Pelvic radiation
- Polypectomy
- Intrauterine device (IUD) insertion
- Myomectomy
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Recurrent SABs
- Pelvic infection (e.g., endometrial tuberculosis or pelvic inflammatory disease)—controversial
General Prevention
- Minimize intrauterine operative interventions while women are fertile and desire pregnancy.
- Expectant or medical management rather than surgical management of SABs
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Uterine Synechiae." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117588/all/Uterine_Synechiae.
Uterine Synechiae. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117588/all/Uterine_Synechiae. Accessed November 5, 2024.
Uterine Synechiae. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117588/all/Uterine_Synechiae
Uterine Synechiae [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 November 05]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117588/all/Uterine_Synechiae.
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