The uterus is a female reproductive organ responsible for keeping and nourishing the foetus until birth. The bulky uterus is a serious condition where the uterus is bigger than normal which needs treatment on time as it can affect fertility in women. A bulky uterus means swelling of the uterine wall. The shape of the uterus is of upside-down pear and its actual size is of a fist around 3 to 4 inches. The uterus enlarges in some conditions such as pregnancy which helps the foetus to grow inside. If uterus enlarges other than pregnancy, then is a serious condition and needs medical attention.
Bulky Uterus Symptoms
- A female with a bulky uterus can feel some heaviness in her lower abdomen and extreme pain or bleeding.
- Abnormal Period Cycle
- Leg Swelling or Cramping
- Feeling Heavy Pressure on the uterus
- Backaches
- Bleeding after menopause
- Discharge from vagina
- Urge to urinate frequently
- Pain during intercourse
- Excessive bleeding during periods
- Gaining weight around the lower abdomen
- Excess hair growth
- Breasts Tenderness
- Constipation
- Paleness
- Weakness
Bulky Uterus is found in women of reproductive age group. Most of the time it gets unnoticed for a long time; therefore routine check-ups are essential to track down such conditions.
Factors causing the uterus to enlarge.
During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges from the size of a fist to watermelon which is normal for the foetus nourishment.
The symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding causing pain and cramping, which eventually gets worse. Women with adenomyosis have a uterus that is double or even triples the actual size. In such condition, the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus which causes menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pressure, and bloating and also leads to heavy periods. It is not a serious condition but it has a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life. Adenomyosis is mostly found in women above 30 or has given birth to a baby through C-section. The exact reason for the condition is not known but it is associated with increased levels of oestrogen. Most women’s conditions usually improve after menopause because of the decreased oestrogen level.
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours found along the lining of the uterus and found in women between the ages of 30 to 40. Fibroids do not have harmful effects but some are so big that woman may look a few months pregnant. Hormonal changes or genetic disorders might increase the size of these tumours. Fibroids may have some symptoms like painful menstrual cycles, pressure on the bladder and frequent urge to urinate etc. It is reported 10% of women with fibroids have faced infertility and 40% of women with fibroids have faced several difficulties in their pregnancies such as caesarean delivery, premature labour pains, or heavy bleeding after delivery.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is a stage before menopause where the fluctuating hormone levels cause the uterus to enlarge. It is temporary and the uterus gets into normal size after menopause. If in case it doesn’t return to normal size it is advisable to get it checked by a gynaecologist as soon as possible.
PCOS
PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is a medical condition where the hormonal imbalance leads to the abnormal menstruation cycle which makes the uterus grow. However, women face discomfort during the menstrual cycle. As per WHO, it affects around 10% of women during their childbearing age.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are either solid or fluid-filled sacs developed on the surface of an ovary or inside it. Sometimes they go by on their own and sometimes they can cause various health complications such as inflammation, excessive bleeding during periods, pain in the back, and burning sensation or difficulty passing urine.
Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial Cancer
Uterine cancers can cause the uterus to enlarge, which happens in women over 50 years or above. Bulky uterus and irregular vaginal bleeding are symptoms of endometrial cancer. It is advised to take timely treatment in order to avoid future complications.
Diagnosis of Bulky Uterus
Diagnosis of an enlarged uterus is unexpected. A woman is mostly unaware that she has an enlarged uterus unless it is diagnosed during a pelvic examination. A woman may notice a bloated belly or that clothes seem too tight but these signs are not enough which reflects there is a serious condition called Bulky Uterus. If you are in childbearing years or under menopause condition; it is highly advised to have a regular checkup to find out such illness at an earlier stage.
Treatment of Bulky Uterus
- Enlarged uterus does not require treatment but in some cases, women may need medication for pain relief. To ease symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding; Birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progesterone are best. In very severe cases, hysterectomy is the best option. In uterine cancer cases, surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries may be the recommended course of treatment along with undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
- The bulky uterus is diagnosed in Infertile women as many women delay their pregnancy.
- It is advisable to consult Fertility Specialists so that they can improve the chances of pregnancy. In some cases, surgery is also recommended. In cases of fibroids, myomectomy traditional surgical method is done. In severe cases where fibroids cannot be removed by surgery, the uterus is completely removed which is called Hysterectomy. It is usually performed on women who have entered menopause or don’t want to have any children in the future. It is done after complete counselling.
- Cost of Bulky Uterus Treatment depends on the type of treatment or surgery, the cost may range to 1 lakh and more.
Conclusion
It is necessary for women to undergo a routine pelvic examination to identify any issues earlier. Keep a tab on symptoms as early diagnosis will prompt a quicker treatment. In case you need the best advice from experienced Fertility Specialists if you re unable to get pregnant after several attempts, you should consult us soon.