Is a bicornuate uterus hereditary?

Having a relative with this uterine shape does not establish that you have it or that you will pass it to a child. Diagnosis depends on imaging of the individual's anatomy, not family history alone.

The uterus forms while a fetus is developing. Two structures that normally join do not fuse completely, leaving a pronounced indentation at the top and two uterine horns. This is why the condition is described as congenital: it is present from birth, even when it is discovered much later.

Congenital and hereditary do not mean the same thing. A congenital feature begins during development; a hereditary disorder follows a transmissible genetic pattern. A bicornuate uterus generally has no simple family pattern that can be predicted from one affected relative.

Testing is not routinely based only on a relative's diagnosis. Discuss assessment with a gynaecologist if you have reproductive concerns, repeated pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, or an imaging report suggesting an unusual uterine shape. The clinician can decide which imaging method can define both the inner cavity and outer contour.

Bring any previous ultrasound or surgical reports to the appointment. A clear diagnosis matters because a bicornuate uterus can resemble a septate uterus on some images, yet the anatomy and possible management are different.

Arrange a non-urgent gynaecology review if you have questions about a previous scan, difficulty understanding a uterine diagnosis, or pregnancy-planning concerns after earlier complications. Family history by itself is not an emergency.

During pregnancy, seek prompt maternity assessment for vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, regular contractions, severe or persistent abdominal pain, fainting, or reduced fetal movement after a usual movement pattern has developed. Urgency comes from these symptoms, not from whether another family member has a bicornuate uterus.

You might ask whether the existing images clearly show the outside of the uterus, whether the finding could represent a different uterine shape, and whether another scan would alter pregnancy planning. If several relatives have congenital reproductive or urinary tract differences, ask whether your broader family history warrants specialist genetics advice.