5 Common Causes of an Enlarged Uterus—Plus How to Tell If You Have One

Usually, you possibly can’t inform that your uterus is greater than it must be. (As a result of…it is inside your physique.) As an alternative, 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 Properly+Good.

Here is a more in-depth take a look at what these situations might be, and what therapy entails for every trigger. Plus, when to achieve out to your healthcare supplier for enlarged uterus signs.

5 causes of an enlarged uterus

There are a number of essential causes of an enlarged uterus that your healthcare supplier can detect via ultrasounds and different gynecologic exams. Whereas some are benign, others could require additional testing and therapy. Here is a breakdown of the most typical causes to know.

1. Fibroids

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

How one can deal with it

Remedy for fibroids will rely on the scale of the growths and the sorts of signs they’re inflicting. Small fibroids which might be mildly uncomfortable usually do not require therapy, however greater ones would possibly must be eliminated surgically.

2. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a gynecologic situation the place tissue from the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle, inflicting the uterus to turn into thicker and broaden. Whereas anybody can develop the situation, “it is largely seen in girls through the mid-stages of life round 40 to 50 years previous,” Dr. Gleaton says. Signs of adenomyosis are sometimes much like these of enormous uterine fibroids: heavy bleeding and cramping in periods, again and pelvic ache, and bloating.

How one can deal with it

One of many first strains of therapy for adenomyosis is medicine that stops ovulation (i.e., hormonal contraception) as a result of signs are inclined to worsen round menstruation. “Hormonal therapies may help deal with signs resembling heavy durations, painful durations, and painful intercourse,” says Dr. Gleaton. “In uncommon, extreme circumstances, 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. Usually, these cysts could cause intermittent, one-sided stomach ache together with bloating and a sense of stomach strain or fullness.

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

How one can deal with it

Most ovarian cysts will break and dissipate on their very own, but when yours is inflicting persistent ache, your healthcare supplier could possibly provide some ache reduction strategies. This could embody over-the-counter (OTC) ache relievers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol, taking a sizzling bathtub, or utilizing a heating pad. To forestall future cysts from forming, they could recommend beginning hormonal contraception. If a cyst is just 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 point, lightheadedness, or vomiting, it is best to hunt speedy medical care. These may very well 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 durations, facial hair development, pimples, and weight acquire, amongst different signs. The situation also can trigger the inside lining of your uterus to turn into barely thicker, however as a result of the thickening occurs on the within, it does not normally make an individual’s uterus bigger, per se, Dr. Gleaton says. Moreover, PCOS is usually related to greater infertility charges, because the situation can generally make it tougher so that you can get pregnant.

How one can deal with it

Sure way of life modifications are sometimes inspired to assist handle the signs of PCOS, together with every day train, decreasing sugar and refined carbohydrate consumption, and sustaining a wholesome weight. Medical remedies, however, will usually fluctuate. Should you do not plan to get pregnant anytime quickly, your healthcare supplier would possibly suggest hormonal contraception to assist regulate your durations or different varieties of hormone remedy—like progestin remedy—to assist stabilize hormone manufacturing.

That mentioned, when you want to get pregnant, your healthcare supplier would possibly prescribe medicine to encourage ovulation, or different fertility remedies—like in vitro fertilization (IVF)—to assist.

5. Endometrial most cancers, in uncommon circumstances

Hardly ever, an enlarged uterus is usually a signal of endometrial or uterine most cancers—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 durations, however superior cancers with bigger tumors could cause stomach ache, bloating, or feeling full quickly after consuming.

How one can deal with it

Endometrial most cancers is usually identified via 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 handled with surgical procedure, radiation remedy, chemotherapy, or hormone remedy.

Fortunately, when the sort of most cancers is detected early, it may be curable. “That is why it is so essential to remain updated in your pelvic exams and converse together with your physician instantly when you’re experiencing any [abnormal] signs—even when you suppose they don’t seem to be critical,” 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 mentioned, 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 may occasionally embody signs like the next:

• Bloating
• Belly or pelvic ache
• Cramping
• Constipation
• Feeling of stomach strain or fullness
• Heavy or lengthy durations
• Painful durations
• Recognizing
• Frequent urination
• Painful intercourse

Different occasions, an enlarged uterus could not trigger any signs, like when you may have small fibroids or ovarian cysts. In that case, the one means you’d discover out whether or not you may have 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 doesn’t contribute to stomach fats or weight acquire total. However it may make your stomach really feel bloated, full, or heavy, which can really feel as if you have gained weight (when it is doubtless you have not). Should you’re involved about bloating or sudden weight acquire, attain out to your healthcare supplier.

What does therapy seem like?

Remedy for an enlarged uterus varies tremendously relying on the trigger. “It is essential to get to the foundation 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 occasions, they will have to carry out imaging checks—like an ultrasound or MRI scan—to be taught extra about what’s driving the irregular change.

As soon as you have discovered the trigger, you and your healthcare supplier can decide one of the simplest ways to deal with it. You would possibly go for issues like:

When to see a healthcare supplier

Any time you expertise signs which might be thought of “out of the atypical” in 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’ll probably make it tougher to get pregnant when you’re planning to take action. So, be sure to’re visiting your healthcare supplier often for pelvic exams and different preventative care—particularly to rule out extra critical points like endometrial most cancers.