After 31-year-old woman complained of abdominal pain, doctors discovered she had five extra organs

Make-up artist Mel Placanica was rushed to a hospital in Adelaide, Australia, by her mother after she complained of the most severe abdominal pain of her life. As reported by the Mirror, an initial scan suggested that the lump-like tissue next to her uterus could be a tumour. But after further examinations, the young woman's designated gynaecologist made a completely different, surprising diagnosis.

Five organs too many

Fortunately, the tissue next to the uterus did not turn out to be a tumour, but an additional uterus. The gynaecologist also discovered four ovaries, two uterine cervixes and an additional kidney. In total, Mel Placanica had five additional organs.

But the complaints were not the only consequences of this discovery. According to the Mirror, the finding meant that the young woman was already in early menopause. As if these diagnoses weren't surprising enough, the doctors also found endometriosis lesions on the uterine lining, which were probably one of the main causes of her pain.

In the subsequent operation, one of the wombs and two ovaries were removed. The two uterine cervixes were fused into one.

Where did the organs come from?

According to the Mirror, Mel Placanica has her own theory about how this multiplication of her organs came about:

So I went to the gynecologist, and she looked at my scans and thought the exact same thing - that it looked like a tumor. Then it turned out I had two uteruses, four ovaries and two cervixes - so basically two vaginas. I also have three kidneys, so I suppose I might have been a twin and 'absorbed' the other one inside me.

Although her speculation could not be substantiated by the medical staff, it seems a likely, or at least possible, explanation.

As the website News Minimalist explained, the presence of multiple reproductive organs is known as uterus didelphys. This can generally lead to complications, but often does not require treatment - unless the symptoms are particularly severe, as in the Australian woman's case.

Experts at IVI Fertility, a portal for all questions relating to fertility, describe uterus didelphys as a rare, congenital anomaly. Affected women can become pregnant and give birth normally, but have an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag DE.

Read more:

This 56-year-old woman ended up pregnant with her son's baby

Girl with no vagina got pregnant in jaw-dropping medical miracle

This 51-year-old woman got pregnant despite having her tubes tied twice

Sources used:

Today: "Worst abdominal pain" - woman has 5 organs too many

Mirror: 'I woke up one day in agonizing pain - then discovered I have extra body parts'

News Minimalist: Woman discovers five extra organs after severe stomach pain in Australia

IVI fertility: Uterus didelphys, what is it? How does a double uterus affect fertility?