Basic things you must know about your uterus

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

The hollow, pear-shaped structure in the female pelvic area known as the uterus, or "womb," is where an ovary (egg) is fertilised, an embryo is implanted, and a baby develops. It is an organ in the body that both massively expands to make room for a developing pregnancy and contracts to push a baby out during delivery. The endometrium, the uterine lining, is the origin of the blood and tissue lost each monthly during menstruation. The uterus plays several key roles in the reproductive cycle, fertility, and childbirth.

Your uterus is crucial to your sexual health and function. Your uterus's three primary functions are as follows:

Fertility: During conception, a fertilised egg implants in your uterus, which is also where your baby matures.

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Period: The source of blood and tissue during menstruation is your uterine lining.

In a typical monthly cycle, the endometrial lining of the uterus undergoes a process known as vascularization during which microscopic blood vessels multiply, making the lining thicker and richer in blood in the event the egg delivered during that cycle is fertilised. If this does not occur, the uterus loses the lining as part of the menstrual cycle.

If conception happens during your monthly cycle (when the egg is fertilised by sperm), the fertilised egg integrates into your lining of the womb. The fertilised egg (called a blastocysts ) digs into your uterus' endometrial lining (implantation). This is when your menstruation is missed and you are officially pregnant. 

During pregnancy, your uterus expands to accommodate the growth of your baby. During labour and delivery, it contracts to assist push the baby out of your vagina. Your uterus will return to its pre-pregnancy size after around six weeks (although, it can be slightly larger and show signs of being stretched).