5 Causes and Treatment Options

Typically, you possibly can’t inform that your uterus is larger than it ought to be. (As a result of…it is inside your physique.) As a substitute, situations that trigger an enlarged uterus are normally marked by different signs, particularly round your interval, Kenosha Gleaton, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN and medical advisor for Natalist, tells Effectively+Good.

This is a more in-depth have a look at what these situations could be, and what therapy entails for every trigger. Plus, when to succeed in out to your healthcare supplier for enlarged uterus signs.

5 causes of an enlarged uterus

There are just a few primary causes of an enlarged uterus that your healthcare supplier can detect by ultrasounds and different gynecologic exams. Whereas some are benign, others could require additional testing and therapy. This is a breakdown of the commonest causes to know.

1. Fibroids

Fibroids, or benign growths that kind on the liner of the wall of the uterus, are the commonest reason for an enlarged uterus, Dr. Gleaton says. Most instances, fibroids are so small that they do not trigger signs. However, “if the expansion turns into too giant, it might trigger heavy bleeding during periods, decrease again and pelvic ache, and bloating in your abdomen,” she provides.

Learn how to deal with it

Treatment for fibroids will depend upon the dimensions of the growths and the sorts of signs they’re inflicting. Small fibroids which can be mildly uncomfortable typically do not require therapy, however greater ones may have to be removed surgically.

2. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a gynecologic situation the place tissue from the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle, inflicting the uterus to grow to be thicker and develop. Whereas anybody can develop the situation, “it is largely seen in ladies throughout the mid-stages of life round 40 to 50 years previous,” Dr. Gleaton says. Symptoms of adenomyosis are sometimes just like these of enormous uterine fibroids: heavy bleeding and cramping during times, again and pelvic ache, and bloating.

Learn how to deal with it

One of many first strains of therapy for adenomyosis is medication that stops ovulation (i.e., hormonal birth control) as a result of symptoms tend to worsen round menstruation. “Hormonal therapies might help deal with signs corresponding to heavy intervals, painful intervals, and painful sex,” says Dr. Gleaton. “In uncommon, extreme instances, surgical procedure could also be wanted to take away the uterus (aka a hysterectomy), however once more, that’s very uncommon and signs are largely addressed with medicine.”

3. Ovarian cysts

Your ovaries (reproductive organs that maintain eggs) sit outdoors of your uterus, however sure situations that have an effect on them can have an effect on your uterus, too. This consists of ovarian cysts, that are benign, fluid-filled sacs that may develop on and canopy your ovaries. Typically, these cysts could cause intermittent, one-sided abdominal pain together with bloating and a sense of stomach stress or fullness.

Whereas ovarian cysts are innocent, in uncommon instances, they will rupture or burst, which can trigger total swelling in that area.

Learn how to deal with it

Most ovarian cysts will break and dissipate on their very own, but when yours is inflicting persistent ache, your healthcare supplier might be able to supply some ache aid options. This will embody over-the-counter (OTC) ache relievers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol, taking a sizzling bathtub, or utilizing a heating pad. To prevent future cysts from forming, they could counsel beginning hormonal contraception. If a cyst is simply too giant, your healthcare supplier could suggest getting it surgically eliminated.

Moreover, if in case you have sudden and extreme pelvic ache, a fever, weak spot, lightheadedness, or vomiting, it is best to hunt fast medical care. These might be indicators your cyst has ruptured or burst.

4. PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (aka PCOS) is a dysfunction the place the physique produces an excessive amount of of the hormone androgen (testosterone), inflicting irregular intervals, facial hair growth, zits, and weight acquire, amongst different signs. The situation can even trigger the inside lining of your uterus to become slightly thicker, however as a result of the thickening occurs on the within, it would not normally make an individual’s uterus bigger, per se, Dr. Gleaton says. Moreover, PCOS is usually related to higher infertility rates, because the situation can typically make it tougher so that you can get pregnant.

Learn how to deal with it

Sure lifestyle changes are sometimes inspired to assist handle the signs of PCOS, together with every day train, lowering sugar and refined carbohydrate consumption, and sustaining a wholesome weight. Medical treatments, then again, will sometimes fluctuate. In the event you do not plan to get pregnant anytime quickly, your healthcare supplier may suggest hormonal contraception to assist regulate your intervals or different sorts of hormone remedy—like progestin therapy—to assist stabilize hormone manufacturing.

That stated, in the event you want to get pregnant, your healthcare supplier may prescribe medication to encourage ovulation, or different fertility therapies—like in vitro fertilization (IVF)—to assist.

5. Endometrial most cancers, in uncommon instances

Not often, an enlarged uterus is usually a signal of endometrial or uterine cancer—which occurs when cells mutate and develop right into a tumor within the lining of the uterus. The one early indicators could also be irregular intervals, however advanced cancers with bigger tumors could cause stomach ache, bloating, or feeling full quickly after consuming.

Learn how to deal with it

Endometrial most cancers is usually diagnosed by pelvic exams, ultrasound imaging, or a biopsy (i.e., taking a pattern of uterine tissue for testing). From there, relying on the severity, it is treated with surgery, radiation remedy, chemotherapy, or hormone remedy.

Fortunately, when such a most cancers is detected early, it may be curable. “That is why it is so vital to remain updated in your pelvic exams and communicate together with your physician instantly in the event you’re experiencing any [abnormal] signs—even in the event you assume they don’t seem to be severe,” Dr. Gleaton says.

Different signs of an enlarged uterus

As a result of your uterus is inside your physique, you possibly can’t see or really feel when it is enlarged. That stated, you possibly can see or really feel the consequences of an underlying situation making your uterus bigger. Often, these results take the type of stomach or period-related signs, says Dr. Gleaton. This will embody signs like the next:

• Bloating
• Stomach or pelvic ache
• Cramping
• Constipation
• Feeling of stomach stress or fullness
• Heavy or lengthy intervals
• Painful intervals
• Recognizing
• Frequent urination
• Painful intercourse

Different instances, an enlarged uterus could not trigger any signs, like when you have got small fibroids or ovarian cysts. In that case, the one approach you’d discover out whether or not you have got an enlarged uterus is throughout a pelvic examination. “Your OB/GYN will be capable of really feel it and diagnose the trigger,” Dr. Gleaton says.

Does an enlarged uterus trigger weight acquire?

Briefly, no. An enlarged uterus does not contribute to belly fat or weight acquire total. However it might make your stomach really feel bloated, full, or heavy, which can really feel as if you have gained weight (when it is probably you have not). In the event you’re involved about bloating or sudden weight acquire, attain out to your healthcare supplier.

What does therapy seem like?

Therapy for an enlarged uterus varies significantly relying on the trigger. “It is vital to get to the basis trigger to establish which therapy is greatest for you,” says Dr. Gleaton.

In case your healthcare supplier notices that your uterus feels bigger than regular throughout a pelvic examination, they could be capable of diagnose the underlying situation based mostly on signs alone. Different instances, they’re going to must perform imaging tests—like an ultrasound or MRI scan—to be taught extra about what’s driving the irregular change.

As soon as you have found out the trigger, you and your healthcare supplier can decide the easiest way to deal with it. You may go for issues like:

When to see a healthcare supplier

Any time you expertise signs which can be thought-about “out of the peculiar” to your physique—like persistent pelvic ache, irregular vaginal discharge, bleeding, and so forth.—it is best to let your healthcare supplier know. You could have an underlying situation that causes an enlarged uterus and different disruptive signs.

Even comparatively innocent issues—like benign fibroids or cysts—”can affect your high quality of life,” Dr. Gleaton says. Plus, they will probably make it tougher to get pregnant in the event you’re planning to take action. So, be sure you’re visiting your healthcare supplier repeatedly for pelvic exams and different preventative care—particularly to rule out extra severe points like endometrial most cancers.