The uterus of a woman is in charge of maintaining the unborn baby’s health up until delivery. It is around the size of a fist and has the shape of an upside-down pear. On average, a mature female's uterus measures 8 cm in length, 5 cm in width, and 4 cm in thickness.
A bulky uterus means an enlarged-shaped uterus. The uterus becomes bulky because of its growth during pregnancy. But the uterus may expand in non-pregnant situations as well due to its connective tissue, endometrial glands, and muscles.
It is important to know that the uterus is in a serious condition that requires medical attention, if it grows larger for reasons other than pregnancy. Having a large uterus typically doesn't have any negative effects on your health, but the factors that lead to it can. Fibroids and adenomyosis, the two most common causes of a large uterus, are rarely fatal but can have negative effects on a woman's general health and her ability to conceive. In addition to the possibility of severe pain and bleeding, a female may have some heaviness in her lower abdomen if their uterus has expanded.
Factors responsible for a Bulky Uterus
Certain risk factors can enhance a woman's chances of developing a bulky uterus, including:
Age: Women over the age of 35 are more inclined to develop fibroids, which can cause their uterus to become bulky.
Genetics: A family history of fibroids may exist, resulting in a large uterus.
Lifestyle factors: Obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and a lack of physical activity are examples of lifestyle issues, as are environmental pollution and hormonal imbalances or exposure to hormones in food or pharmaceuticals that can cause reproductive issues resulting in a bulky uterus.
Symptoms of Bulky Uterus
Many women have no bulky uterus symptoms and are clueless that they have a large uterus until it is discovered during a regular pelvic examination. Others may detect an unusual bulkiness or bloating around the abdomen, or that skirts and trousers feel excessively tight. When symptoms occur, the most prevalent are:
- Heavy bleeding or the formation of large blood clots during periods, spotting in between periods, or painful and prolonged periods.
- Heavy bleeding might also cause anaemia. This causes weariness or weakness because there aren't enough red blood cells to transport enough oxygen throughout the body.
- Because the uterus is located in the pelvic cavity between the bladder and the rectum, symptoms such as constipation and bloating, as well as pressure on the bladder leading to frequent urination or even incontinence, can occur.
- Pain in the legs, pelvis, lower back, or abdomen, as well as painful sex.
- Fertility issues might involve trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term.
Also Read: What are the Signs and Symptoms of Fibroids
Causes of bulky uterus
The following may cause a bulky uterus:
| Imbalances in hormones | The uterus may enlarge more than usual if the body's levels of estrogen and progesterone are out of balance. This may cause issues with both conception and pregnancy. |
| Fibroids | Non-cancerous growths called fibroids can form in the uterine wall. They can occur in sizes ranging from very small to very enormous and can grow the uterus in size. Fibroids in a large uterus can contribute to symptoms including pelvic pressure and pain, excessive monthly bleeding, and trouble emptying the bladder. |
| Adenomyosis | Women who are in their reproductive years are more susceptible to adenomyosis. It happens when tissue that typically borders the uterus begins to grow inside the uterine muscle layer. As a result, the uterus may expand and develop a "bulky uterus" syndrome. |
| Pregnancy | Throughout pregnancy, a woman's uterus grows. With the growth of the baby, pregnancy itself might cause the uterus to get larger, eventually gaining weight. At full term, a woman's uterus is around 20 times larger than it is when she is not pregnant. This expansion is required to provide room for the placenta and growing fetus. |
| Ovarian cysts | These are fluid-filled sacs that can form in or near the ovaries. They are usually harmless, but if they become too large, they could result in an enlarged uterus. |
| Uterine polyps | Uterine polyps are small, benign growths on the uterine lining. These growths can lead to irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, infertility, and sometimes enlargement of the uterus. |
| Endometrial hyperplasia | It is a disorder in which the uterine lining becomes excessively thick, resulting in an enlarged uterus. |
Also Read: How to get pregnant with uterine fibroids?
Impact of bulky uterus on female fertility
Female fertility is negatively impacted by a bulky uterus brought on by adenomyosis or any other cause. Adenomyosis reduces the likelihood of implantation and pregnancy in women undergoing IVF by decreasing endometrial function and receptivity and by influencing uro-tubal transport. Therefore, if adenomyosis is the cause of infertility, it is advised to visit an infertility specialist. Your symptoms will be treated by a specialist in order to improve your chances of getting pregnant. A few months after beginning their hormone treatment, some women become pregnant. If conception is unsuccessful, surgery might be advised.
Bulky uterus treatment and diagnosis
The signs of a large uterus are usually felt by the female herself, necessitating a trip to the gynaecologist. Additionally, it can be found if your doctor is treating you for a separate issue, such as irregular menstrual cycles.
Your gynaecologist will check to see if it has expanded due of a malignancy or pregnancy. A pregnancy test is used to rule out pregnancy, while imaging tests like an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan are used to check for any uterine issues.
The underlying cause typically determines how to treat a large uterus. There are numerous medications that can help to reduce uterine fibroids and ease symptoms if that is the underlying cause. If adenomyosis is the underlying cause, surgery may be required to remove the adenomyotic tissue and cure the symptoms.
Let's take a closer look at the different treatments of bulky uterus available:
- Myomectomy: A myomectomy, which is a procedure to remove fibroids, is one common remedy. This can be accomplished laparoscopically through tiny abdominal incisions or with a laparotomy through a bigger incision.
- Uterine Artery Embolization: Uterine artery embolization is a typical method of treating uterine fibroids. A catheter is inserted into the uterine arteries during the minimally invasive treatment, and tiny particles are then injected to limit the uterus's blood supply, forcing the uterus to contract. It is a safe and successful treatment for a large uterus with minimal side effects.
- Hormonal therapy: The use of medications containing the hormones progesterone and estrogen to treat uterine fibroids is known as hormonal therapy. It is the better-suited treatment for uterine fibroids and the medication can be injected or consumed orally.
- Non-hormonal therapy: The use of medications devoid of hormones is referred to as non-hormonal therapy. These medications are available in both oral and injectable forms. The most widely used non-hormonal treatment for a large uterus is metformin.
- Hysterectomy: The removal of the uterus, which is normally reserved for severe cases or when a woman wishes to avoid future pregnancies.
- Endometrial ablation: It is a technique that destroys the uterine lining, which can help lessen severe bleeding.
- MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery: It is a treatment that uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to eliminate fibroid tissue.
Also Read: Which Fertility Treatment is Right for You?
Can I get pregnant with a bulky uterus?
It is not difficult to become pregnant if the uterus is physiologically enlarged, possibly as a result of prior pregnancies. Small fibroids can cause the uterus to expand, yet pregnancy may not be difficult in this case. Generally speaking, mild adenomyosis does not preclude pregnancy. Do not be alarmed if your uterus has been identified as bulky; instead, speak with a fertility specialist. The majority of women with large uteruses won't or are unlikely to require much therapy and many of them will become pregnant with treatment.
FAQ’s
What happens if your uterus is thick?
Is a bulky uterus a serious problem?
Can endometrial hyperplasia come back after treatment?
How can I reduce the thickening of my uterus?
- After menopause, utilize progesterone in addition to estrogen (if you take hormone therapy).
- If your periods are irregular, think about using a birth control pill that has both estrogen and progestin.
- Stop smoking.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
How common is thickening of the uterus?
How Can I Naturally Reduce My Bulky Uterus and Fibroids?
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Avoiding processed foods and sugar
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing stress through yoga or meditation
- Getting enough sleep each night
- Quitting harmful habits such as smoking.
