There are many possible reasons for an enlarged uterus, but most of them are benign. However, they often cause bothersome symptoms. What do you need to know?
If you didn't have any symptoms and your gynecologist spotted an enlargement of your uterus durin a routine appointment, consider yourself lucky. Uterus enlargement symptoms can range from bleeding during intercourse, cramping, pain, pain during intercourse and feeling bloated due to pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen, dull ache in the lower back and thighs, and problems passing urine completely to name just a few symptoms.
If you suspect you have an enlarged uterus, the first thing you should do is to have it checked by a gynecologist. An ultrasound would be the first thing ordered to get a better look and hopefully come to a diagnosis, but if the question remains open, a doctor could also order an MRI scan.
READ Hormonal Imbalance In Women Over Fifty
If the ultrasound came back looking standard and the doctor has not found anything abnormal, there's a possibility that your uterus is just sitting high in your pelvis, so that you can feel it. Your uterus sitting high in your pelvis is usually due to:
- Scarring from a previous surgery
- Endometriosis
- Infection
You could also be feeling a full bladder. It may be the bladder you are feeling or the uterus, which does rise out of the pelvis a bit with a full bladder. If you are feeling a bulge in your bladder, you should try to empty it and see if it gets smaller than before.
The normal size of the non-pregnant uterus is relatively small; the uterus measures about three or four inches in length, which is the size of a clenched fist or a small apple, in women who aren't expecting a baby. In pregnancy, the size of the uterus changes as the baby grows and this organ can expand up to 12 inches in length. Therefore, perform a pregnancy test and make sure you are not pregnant.
Two other conditions that often cause an enlarged uterus are fibroids and adenomyosis.
Uterine fibroids
Fibroids are the most common benign tumor of a woman’s uterus. They grow on the outside, inside or within the smooth muscle in the wall of the uterus. Fibroids may grow as a single tumor or in clusters. Fibroids can be as small as a pea and can grow as large as a melon. [1]
It is estimated that 20 to 50% of women have or will have fibroids at some time in their lives.
The most common symptoms of uterine fibroids are excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure that can additionally cause frequent urination, pain during intercourse, constipation, abdominal bloating and abdominal pain or a backache and of course enlarged uterus. Fibroids can make a woman look pregnant although she is not.
Your doctor may decide to overlook the fibroids if they are small or try to have them removed if they grow too much. Discuss the treatment options for uterine fibroids with your gynecologist if you are diagnosed with fibroids. They include a myomectomy or in severe cases hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), which should be the last resort. [1]
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition similar to endometriosis. In adenomyosis, the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) also grows within the muscular walls of the uterus. This growth usually occurs late in the childbearing years and after you've had children.
Adenomyosis is not life-threatening but the condition can be extremely painful. Other symptoms include heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, severe cramping or sharp pain during menstruation, pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, passing blood clots during your period, tender lower abdomen.
Adenomyosis could also be silent and symptomless but still make your uterus bulge. This condition resolves after menopause most of the time, so you should decide on the treatment depending on how close to menopause you are. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal therapy or in severe cases hysterectomy, which is the only permanent solution. [2]
Ovarian cysts
Sometimes ovarian cysts are the reason behind your enlarged uterus. Ovarian cysts, like any other cysts, are fluid-filled sacs or sacs filled with semi-solid or solid substances. The most common type of ovarian cyst is called a functional cyst, which often forms during the normal menstrual cycle. There are also other kinds of cysts, such as [3]:
- Endometriomas (they develop in women who have endometriosis)
- Cystadenomas (that can become large and cause pain)
- Dermoid cysts (these too can become large and cause pain)
- Polycystic ovaries
Many women don't have any symptoms when they develop ovarian cysts, but those that do have symptoms wish them gone as soon as possible. The most common symptoms indicating ovarian cysts are pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen, dull ache in the lower back and thighs, problems with passing urine, pain during sexual intercourse, weight gain, painful menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding, nausea or vomiting and breast tenderness.
Most cysts resolve on their own, but gynecologists should track their progress. Beside watchful waiting, the treatments for ovarian cysts include birth control pills or surgery to remove the cyst.
Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Or Cervical Cancer
Endometrial (uterine) cancer could be to blame for a uterine enlargement, too. Cancer of the uterus and cervix occurs mostly in women over age 50. Other risk factors include having endometrial hyperplasia, using hormone replacement therapy, being obese and suffering from obesity-related disorders, taking Tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer, or suffering from inherited colorectal cancer. [4]
The symptoms of uterine and cervical cancer include unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, troubles urinating, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, and an enlarged uterus.
Treatment varies depending on your overall health, how advanced the cancer is and whether hormones affect its growth. Treatment is usually a hysterectomy, which is surgery to remove the uterus. Other options include hormone therapy and radiation.
As you have probably noticed, many of these symptoms overlap, so you can never tell for sure what your problem is, or even if the symptoms you are plagued by mean that your uterus is enlarged. Regular gynecologist check-ups and timely interventions will save you from dealing with these annoying symptoms and help you take care of problems on time. If you do notice a bloated abdomen, pain, irregular bleeding, and other symptoms that indicate a gynecological problem, seek medical attention as soon as you can. Regardless of the cause, treatment is often easier when the diagnosis is made earlier.
Sources & Links
- Photo courtesy of Servier Medical Art via Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/serviermedicalart/9714261259/