Uterine health is crucial to women’s overall well-being. Nothing can be overlooked, ranging from the aspect of menstrual cycles to fertility. In this regard, it’s also important to address the problems that diminish this health. Hence, today, we’re going to spend some time talking about a condition known as ‘Bulky Uterus.’ It can cause discomfort and also point to a more dangerous health condition.
Most of the time, the condition is usually asymptomatic. Yet the rise of symptoms can lead to complications and adversely affect the quality of life. It is necessary to understand the condition to prevent its occurrence. This blog post will serve as a guide to help you identify a bulky uterus and advise on the best course of action.
Understanding a Bulky Uterus
A bulky uterus is a uterus that is larger than usual. The term is a medical term that is used to describe the condition. Why does the uterus turn bulky? Because it grows during pregnancy. When the uterus enlarges in non-pregnant women, it is because of connective tissues, endometrial glands, and musculature.
What is the normal size of a Uterus?
The dimensions for the normal size of a Uterus in healthy women are as follows:
- Approximately 7 to 8 centimeters long.
- 5 centimeters wide.
- 4 centimeters thick.
The normal volume is between 80 and 200 ml.
What can be the probable causes of a Bulky Uterus?
Numerous scenarios can cause an enlarged uterus. One of the most common ones is pregnancy. Child-bearing women usually have a large uterus that is known to be normal. The uterus increases in size due to malignancy and benign conditions. Moreover, the condition can also be caused by some infections.
Does a bulky uterus cause weight gain? The condition does not cause weight gain directly, though. However, the underlying conditions (like adenomyosis or fibroids) might lead to symptoms that can be perceived as weight gain or result in actual weight gain due to other factors at hand.
Risk Factors associated with a Bulky Uterus
Age is a key risk factor associated with fibroids. The risk of developing fibroids increases in women above the age of 35. A bulky uterus with fibroids is the result. Here are some common risk factors associated with a bulky uterus:
- Family History.
- Genetics.
- Obesity.
- A higher body mass index (BMI).
Exploring the Symptoms of a Bulky Uterus
A bulky uterus is asymptomatic during the initial stages (i.e., doesn’t show symptoms until it comes up). The symptoms come up when it enlarges. Moreover, the symptoms of a bulky uterus are dependent on the cause behind it. Here are some common symptoms of the condition:
- Feeling of Heaviness.
- It can exert pressure on the urinary bladder.
- Difficulty in Urination.
- Frequent Urination.
- Backaches.
- Swelling in the Uterus.
- Heavy bleeding in the pelvic area.
- Pelvic area cramps.
- Abnormalities and irregular bleeding in the menstrual cycle.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Heaviness around the lower abdomen.
- Paleness of the skin.
- Fatigue.
- Persistent Weakness.
- Palpitation of a mass near the lower abdomen.
- Excessive bleeding between periods can also lead to anemia.
- Irregular vaginal discharge.
- Bleeding during the postmenopausal period.
Understanding the causes of an Enlarged Uterus
Higher amounts of the reproductive hormone estrogen can change the uterus’s structure. As the womb is a muscular organ, it can grow larger than usual. Let us now understand the key causes of enlarged uterus:
Hormonal Changes
The size of the uterus changes as the hormone levels change (estrogen, especially). Without progesterone, higher estrogen levels can thicken the uterus’s wall. With time, it can enlarge it. The condition is known as endometrial hyperplasia. Women suffering from this condition have the following:
- Have irregular periods linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or infertility.
- Have a higher body mass index (BMI).
They can take the following medications:
- Taking estrogen-only hormone therapy.
- Using medicine that acts like estrogen (tamoxifen for cancer treatment).
When the uterus’s lining thickens, the changes lead to endometrial cancer. These hormonal changes can cause benign growths known as uterine fibroids. They’re noncancerous by nature.
Uterine Fibroids
They are also known as leiomyoma. These noncancerous lumps are common in the Uterus. Any woman can have a single fibroid or many of them. Three-fourths of females get them by the age of 50. However, the risk of fibroids decreases after giving birth.
Some of the fibroids are as small as peas, while some grow large. They grow when estrogen levels are high. They can show up again during pregnancy and shrink down during menopause.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are pockets filled with fluid that form in the ovaries. Most of them go away on their own without causing any issues. But females can have symptoms if a cyst grows large and bursts open, or twists.
The symptoms are often bloating, pelvic pain, or menstrual cycle changes. Sometimes, the uterus can feel large and quite uncomfortable, too.
Pregnancy or perimenopause
A womb grows large during pregnancy (from the size of a pear to the size of a watermelon). It is normal for the uterus to change size during and after pregnancy. This is why the womb grows to support the baby.
Women who already have had a fibroid can see it grow due to pregnancy hormones. After childbirth, the hormone levels drop, and the fibroid shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size. It can take a few weeks as the body heals naturally.
It is around menopause (peri menopause) that high levels of estrogen can cause the uterus to grow temporarily. The uterus can enlarge in the presence of uterine fibroids. They can, however, shrink when the hormone levels reduce during menopause.
Adenomyosis
This causes the uterus’s lining (endometrium) to grow into its muscle layer. The exact cause is unknown, though higher estrogen levels can lead to this condition. The lining gets thicker as it moves into the outer wall of the uterus.
This leads to the uterus growing two to three times its original size. Although the condition can occur at any time, it is most common between the ages of 35 and 50. Adenomyosis often affects the entire uterus. But if it is concentrated in one spot, it is known as an adenoma.
Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
Different kinds of uterine cancers can grow in the uterus’s lining. The type 1 tumor, however, depends on estrogen to grow. The slow-growing tumor is more common after menopause. The first sign is abnormal bleeding. But later-stage uterine cancer can increase the size.
Diagnosing a Bulky Uterus
A doctor will conduct a physical examination of affected patients and will duly ask for their medical history. They can ask them about the symptoms, when the disease took place, and the causes, so that they can start the diagnosis. Here are the diagnosis methods a healthcare practitioner/physician may prescribe:
- Hysteroscopy.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Ultrasound.
The physician may also prescribe specific blood tests to determine the exact cause of the condition. Accordingly, healthcare professionals will plan the treatment process.
Treatment for a Bulky Uterus
Treating a bulky uterus depends on the symptoms and causes of the condition. The treatment focuses on managing the condition. The following treatment options are available:
- Surgery: There are instances where physicians might use a surgical procedure to remove the fibroids, ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, and even the lymph nodes.
- Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): A surgical method that involves a small incision to block the flow of blood to the uterine fibroids. This can cause them to shrink.
- Changes in Lifestyle: Some lifestyle changes can help manage and reduce the severity of symptoms of a bulky uterus. They include limiting consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, stress management, regular exercise, and following a healthy and balanced diet.
- Medications: Physicians can prescribe medications such as contraceptives and hormonal therapies to reduce heavy bleeding. They might also recommend the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to help relieve pain and discomfort.
Over to You
A bulky uterus is a health condition no woman should ever overlook. They can try to alleviate the conditions naturally via a healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding caffeinated & alcoholic beverages.
