Your uterus has the natural ability to adapt to your baby’s development and growth. In general, a normal uterus will expand its size during every menstrual cycle. However, due to some effects or diseases, your pear-shaped organ may look irregular in size and slightly bulky.
Some women may not be aware of their bulky uterus but you may have to know the causes and effects of a bulky uterus and get guidance and treatment from gynaecologists.
This article will provide the effective causes, and symptoms of bulky uterus as well as their diagnosis and treatment method that helps you to recover from your current painful situation.
What is a Bulky Uterus?
When will you say something is bulky, if an object or thing is enlarged from its usual size it is termed bulky.
This applies the same to your uterus. If your uterus seems enlarged rather than the usual size or shape, it is considered a bulky uterus. Women may experience an enlarged uterus at many stages including puberty, the reproductive years, and post menopause stage.
Several hormonal changes and development of women’s bodies cause this enlargement of the uterus. In some cases, due to several medical conditions, women may experience this unusual size increase of the uterus. Some may treated naturally but some may not. Depending on the seriousness of the disease or symptom, your healthcare provider may suggest the treatment.
Causes of your Bulky Uterus
Lifestyle changes are considered one of the major reasons for many of our health issues. We no longer eat the foods that our grandparents consumed, nor do we follow a natural daily cycle.
It’s better to prevent some major issues before arriving. Once you suffer from any medical condition, try to adopt a better lifestyle and foods in your daily life for your fast recovery and to support your medication process.
There are so many reasons behind the cause of a bulky uterus, it may include some hormonal changes or lifestyle changes. The major reasons that may cause unusual enlargement in your uterus are as follows:
Fibroids
Fibroids are a common condition caused by genetic factors and excess estrogen. It is small and solid in tumours growing on the uterine walls and isn’t harmful to your life or cancerous.
Adenomyosis
It’s a condition where endometrial tissue grows into the uterine wall, causing the uterus to enlarge excessively.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PCOS can cause irregular periods, leading to incomplete shedding of the uterine lining. This leftover lining accumulates, causing enlargement.
Endometrial Cancer
The most common cancer that affects the whole reproductive system of women is endometrial cancer. This affects the uterine lining or endometrium.
Menopause
In the post-menopause stage, women may experience an enlarged uterus due to hormonal changes.
Ovarian Cysts
A fluid-filled cysts are grown above or inside the ovary. This may cause no major health issues but their increased size may show some serious illness if unnoticed.
Symptoms of a Bulky Uterus
Symptoms of an enlarged uterus may be caused due to varying reasons but the common symptoms that many women may experience are as follows:
- Irregular menstrual cycles, including severe cramps and bleeding
- The feeling of heaviness over the lower abdomen
- Anaemia from excessive bleeding
- General tiredness and paleness
- Symptoms of uterine enlargement, strain on the uterus and associated parts, and weight gain around the waist
- Frequent backaches, leg swelling and cramps, constipation, and pelvic cramping
- Frequent urinary urgency
- Bleeding after menopause
- Watery discharge
- Discomfort or heavy pain during intercourse.
Diagnosis
Many women may not be aware of the unusual bulge of their uterus. After heavy symptoms, they go to their healthcare provider for further examination. This condition may be identified through only physical examination or other imaging tests like ultrasound, MRI, etc. The severity of the condition depends on the symptoms one experiences.
Complications of a Bulky Uterus
In some cases, the condition of the uterus may worsen if the symptoms are unnoticed or treated as follows:
- A complete or partial removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)
- Miscarriage
- Infertility
- Other pregnancy-related issues
- Infection due to uterine inflammation
How Does Bulky Uterus Affect Your Pregnancy?
Enlargement of the uterus may affect the fertility of a woman. As we have discussed above, these major causes can make your pregnancy journey more tough. Fibroids or adenomyosis can change the regular size and function of your uterus, making it difficult for the embryo to implant in the right place of the uterine wall.
In the womb environment, some inflammations and infections may not be an excellent place for meeting both the sperm and egg.
Changes in pH levels together with variations in the level of hormones change the entire process of conception and make the pregnancy process turn out worse by disturbing the conditions of the natural reproductive organs when implanting the embryo.
A proper treatment can help you to go through these conditions.
Can I Get Pregnant with a Bulky Uterus?
Though it may be harder, it is possible to get pregnant with the right medications and treatment. Consult your healthcare provider to know your conditions. Each woman may suffer from different symptoms and causes. So, one has to consult a fertility doctor before making a decision.
Your healthcare provider will always support you in your pregnancy journey to overcome the obstacles. Moreover, there is always a solution to every problem. So, clear up your mind with unwanted queries and begin your IVF treatment to start your pregnancy journey.
Treatment for a Bulky Uterus
The root cause, your symptoms, and your potential future of carrying a child will all impact the treatment of your bulky uterus. The common types of treatment include:
Medication: This will help manage some symptoms such as extreme pain or bleeding. Some conditions may occur due to hormonal imbalances and regular therapies can aid in curing adenomyosis and fibroids.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery is the only solution. Your fibroids or uterus can be removed through surgery to avoid worsening your condition.
How IVF can help you to achieve Pregnancy?
While the above factors may cause difficulties in conceiving naturally. You may have another ray of hope for conceiving artificially.
Your eggs are retrieved from your ovaries and fertilised with sperm in the lab for implanting the embryo in the uterus. This can be done by a fertility specialist and in IVF you may have positive hope for your pregnancy treatment.
This can bypass the struggles of conception by directly injecting the embryo into the uterine wall.
Some medications can be given by your healthcare provider to ensure the success rate of each woman.
Conclusion
You should not give up if you have been diagnosed with a bulky uterus. Numerous treatments are available in modern medicine to manage the illness and reduce its symptoms. Procedures such as IVF offer a different route to parenthood for infertile individuals. Always talk through your options with a physician who can advise you based on your fertility objectives and medical needs.
It takes patience and understanding to deal with the difficulties of a bulky uterus. Many women can successfully manage their symptoms and fulfil their aspirations of becoming mothers with the correct treatment strategy.
