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Bulky Uterus
The uterus is a small, muscular female reproductive organ which is responsible for keeping and nourishing the foetus until it is ready for birth.The bulky uterus is a condition in which the uterus is bigger in size than it is supposed to be. This condition is not common, but it can be serious if not treated in time and can affect fertility in women.
What Is Bulky Uterus?
A bulky uterus is the generalized swelling of the uterine wall. This means the uterine size is above the normal size of a uterus. A woman's uterus is responsible for holding the foetus and providing nourishment until the baby is born.
It is shaped like an upside-down pear and is roughly the size of a fist. The normal dimensions of the uterus are around 3 to 4 inches by 2.5 inches. The uterus can enlarge in some conditions, including pregnancy.
Enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy is a normal thing (growing the uterus in size allows the foetus to get space and grow inside).
If the uterus enlarges because of reasons other than pregnancy, it is a serious condition and needs medical attention. A female can feel some heaviness in her lower abdomen, and the condition can also lead to extreme pain and bleeding.
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Get A Second OpinionSymptoms of Bulky Uterus
There are several causes of the bulky uterus, and the symptoms may differ based on the cause of it. The common symptoms are as following:
- Abnormalities in the menstrual cycle
- Heavy bleeding and cramping in the pelvic region
- Swelling and cramping in the legs
- Pressure on the uterus and the surrounding region
- Backaches
- Bleeding after menopause
- Vaginal discharge
- Frequent and quick urge to urinate
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Excessive bleeding during periods which may cause Anaemia
- Gaining weight around the lower abdomen
- Gaining mass over the lower abdomen
- Acne
- Excessive hair growth
- Tenderness in breasts
- Constipation
- Paleness of the skin and general weakness
Causes of Bulky Uterus
It can be found in reproductive age group women. The most common noticeable symptoms are a heaviness in the pelvic region and a bulky mass in the lower abdomen.
Still, it may go unnoticed for a long time as a diagnosis of the enlarged uterus is not expected most of the time. Routine check-ups by a gynaecologist can help to track down the problem in time. There are several factors which can cause the uterus to enlarge. The most common and known causes are:
Pregnancy
The most common reason for the uterus to enlarge is pregnancy. The uterus houses the foetus and is the place where the embryo gets nutrition until it grows on to become a child. As the foetus grows, the uterus also enlarges. From the size of a fist, the uterus can grow to the size of a watermelon.
Adenomyosis is the diffuse thickening of the uterus that happens when the endometrium, i.e. the tissue coating the uterus, moves into the external muscle mass of the uterus.
It is a noncancerous condition that has similar symptoms as that of fibroids. When the condition is localised (affecting a smaller region), it is termed as adenomyoma. Upon examination, the adenomyoma feels like a fibroid, and it might even be mistaken for one on an ultrasound.
The symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding causing pain and cramping, which eventually gets worse. Women with adenomyosis can have a uterus that is double or even triples its ordinary size.
Complications Produced In Bulky Uterus
The reasons for uterine growth may prompt health issues if the symptoms of the condition are ignored or are left untreated. A bulky uterus doesn't usually cause any health complexities, but the conditions because of which it happens can.
The two most regular reasons for a bulky uterus, fibroids and adenomyosis, are seldom fatal, and may adversely affect the overall health. Following are some possible complications that may arise:
- Pain and pressure in the pelvic region: The expanded size of the uterus can put weight on the tissues and organs in its vicinity. It may likewise prompt obstruction, frequent urination, incontinence, swelling and gas, or cramps in the pelvic region.
- Infertility: Fibroids and adenomyosis may likewise cause an increased rate of pregnancy failure or miscarriage. If any of these are present in a female, the woman can have difficulties in carrying a child to a full term and may require restorative medical procedure before delivery.
- Prolapse: This is a condition in which the uterus expands out through the birth canal and distends outside the body. It happens because the pelvic floor muscles get weak. In such a situation, having multiple births is also very dangerous, however in rare cases, fibroids might be the reason.
- Excessive Bleeding: Bulky uterus caused due to fibroids and adenomyosis can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Infection: Due to uterine inflammation, some women may also experience vaginal infections or infections in some other part of the reproductive system.
Diagnosis of Bulky Uterus
The symptoms of a bulky uterus are commonly first felt by the woman herself, which calls for a visit to the gynaecologist. Moreover, during a routine pelvic examination, a doctor may recognize a bulky uterus.
It can also be detected if your specialist is treating you for a different problem, like irregular menstruation cycles. When it has been picked up by your gynaecologist, she will ensure that it hasn't grown because of any malignant condition or pregnancy.
A pregnancy test is done to rule out pregnancy and imaging tests, for example, an ultrasound, an MRI or a CT scan are done to look for any complications in the uterus.
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Book an AppointmentImpact of Bulky Uterus On Female Fertility
It is majorly diagnosed in Infertile women since many women nowadays delay in planning their first pregnancy until they are in their mid-30's or early 40's. Bulky uterus caused due to adenomyosis, or any other reason has a negative impact on female fertility.
Presence of Adenomyosis impairs fertility by affecting the uro-tubal transport and by altering the endometrial function and receptivity hence reducing implantation and pregnancy rate in women undergoing IVF.
So, it is advisable to consult an Infertility Specialists if the cause of infertility is due to adenomyosis. A specialist will first treat you to reduce your symptoms, thus increasing your chances of becoming pregnant.
Some women conceive a few months after undergoing hormonal therapy. If pregnancy does not occur, then surgery might be recommended.
Treatment Methods For A Bulky Uterus
Some reasons behind a bulky uterus don't usually require treatment. However, many might require medicine to help with the pain. Contraceptive pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progesterone can facilitate the manifestations of heavy bleeding in periods.
In a few extreme cases, women may require a hysterectomy, which is the complete removal or part of the uterus from the body. The treatment depends on the cause of the condition. Some of the treatment options are:
- For Adenomyosis: Drugs like ibuprofen and combined hormonal (oestrogen-progesterone) contraception pills can help soothe the pain and excessive bleeding related to adenomyosis. In some complicated cases, your specialist may prescribe a hysterectomy.
- For Fibroids: Fibroids that are large and expand the uterus will presumably require some restorative treatment. Your specialist may recommend contraception pills that contain oestrogen and progesterone or an IUD. These pills may stop the development of the fibroids and reduce the bleeding during periods.
Conclusion
It is vital for women to have routine pelvic exams with a gynaecologist to identify any issues early and save yourself from any future problems. Several reasons for a bulky uterus aren't very serious, yet they can be discomforting and ought to be considered.
If you feel an irregular, severe, or prolonged problems like cramping, vaginal bleeding, heaviness or swelling in your pelvic region, a frequent urge to urinate and pelvic pain, you should see a gynaecologist at the earliest. An early diagnosis will prompt a quicker treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A bulky uterus is often a benign condition and may not pose a serious health risk. However, it can cause symptoms that require medical attention.
Natural methods to manage a bulky uterus include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, managing stress, and consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
A bulky uterus itself typically does not cause weight gain. However, hormonal imbalances or conditions associated with a bulky uterus may lead to weight fluctuations.
In most cases, a bulky uterus can still carry a baby to full term without complications. However, it's essential to monitor the condition closely during pregnancy.
Stress itself is not a direct cause of a bulky uterus. However, chronic stress may contribute to hormonal imbalances or conditions that could lead to uterine abnormalities.
The size of a bulky uterus can vary, but it generally refers to a uterus that is larger than average due to conditions like fibroids, adenomyosis, or uterine polyps.
A bulky or enlarged uterus doesn’t usually produce any health complications, but the conditions that have resulted in bulky uterus can. For example, if it is due to uterine tumours, then they can cause pregnancy complications and even complications during childbirth.
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