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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffIn a female fetus, the uterus starts out as two small tubes. As the fetus develops, the tubes normally join to create one larger, hollow organ — the uterus. Sometimes, however, the tubes don't join completely. Instead, each one develops into a separate cavity. This condition is called double uterus (uterus didelphys).
Double uterus is rare — and sometimes not even diagnosed. According to one estimate, uterine abnormalities occur in as many as 4 percent of women who have normal pregnancies, and of these women, about 5 percent have a double uterus. The percentage of women with a double uterus is likely higher in women with a history of miscarriage or premature birth.
Treatment is needed only if a double uterus causes symptoms or complications, such as pelvic pain or repeated miscarriages.
