Born without uterus, vaginal procedure gives 28 year old hope of motherhood

Born without uterus, vaginal procedure gives 28 year old hope of motherhood

Yashaswini.Sri@timesofindia.com 08.01.2025

Bengaluru : For Aparna (name changed), a 28-year-old working professional in Bengaluru, unbearable abdominal pain led to a rare diagnosis. Born without a uterus and vagina but with two functional ovaries, Aparna's condition puzzled several doctors. “At 14, I visited a rural hospital for a checkup, where the doctor told me that I won't get periods and advised me to focus on my studies. At 15, another doctor explained my condition to me and my sister, suggesting surgery before marriage. By 16, I began experiencing severe monthly stomach pain, which worsened over time. Despite visiting multiple hospitals, the only answer I got was surgery, without proper explanation,” 

Aparna told TOI. Last year when Aparna suffered unbearable abdominal pain, she visited Dr Nisha Buchade, obstetrics & gynaecologist, gynac-oncologist & minimal access surgeon (laparoscopy and robotic surgeon), Vasavi Hospitals. Aparna was diagnosed with Mayer Rokitansky-KüsterHauser (MRKH) syndrome, which affects about 1 in 5,000 women. “This condition arises from a rare autosomal dominant genetic anomaly, but it is not always inherited. It can also result from sporadic mutations. It is not typically detected in advance, even with genetic testing. Like other congenital abnormalities, it occurs during embryonic development, often due to factors like the absence of Müllerian hormone, which is crucial for the development of the uterus and vagina. Some women may lack a uterus, vagina or cervix due to congenital anomalies caused by sporadic mutations or embryonic developmental factors,” Dr Nisha explained. 

An MRI revealed an enlarged rudimentary uterine horn causing severe pain, while her ovaries remained healthy. Given these findings, a surgical approach was deemed necessary, noted the doctor. Aparna underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove the left rudimentary horn. Additionally, a vaginal reconstruction was performed using a groin muscle flap, successfully creating a functional and anatomically appropriate vaginal structure. By Dec, Aparna had recovered well with a normal-appearing vagina and restored sensation. “During follow-up consultations, she was informed that while she cannot carry a child due to congenital absence of uterus, her healthy ovaries make it possible for her to have biological children via surrogacy. Currently, she is doing exceptionally well and looks forward to a promising future,” Dr Nisha said.