By
A
woman’s uterus is the size of a clenched fist but can grow as big as a soccer
ball or larger during pregnancy. In addition to pregnancy, there are many other
reasons why a woman’s uterus may become enlarged.
An
enlarged uterus can be the result of a medical condition that not only causes
it to grow but also to bleed and become painful. A condition that results in an
enlarged uterus may require treatment.
Causes
A
woman can be unaware that she has an enlarged uterus. Most often, women
discover they have a problem during a pelvic exam.
It is
possible a woman may notice a bloated belly or that clothes seem too tight, but
for most, a diagnosis of an enlarged uterus is unexpected.
There
are multiple reasons why the uterus may become enlarged. An enlarged uterus may
be more common in menopausal women, but women in their childbearing years can
develop this condition too.
Fibroids
Fibroids
are one of the most common causes of an enlarged uterus. Fortunately, fibroids
are noncancerous. Fibroids are small lumps that can weigh up to several pounds.
They are found along the walls of the uterus.
According
to the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, between 20 or 80 percent of women develop fibroids before the
age of 50. They are most common in women who are in their 40s and early
50s.
Fibroids
may be asymptomatic, or may cause pain and heavy menstrual cycles.
Fibroids
also put pressure on the bladder and the rectum, causing frequent urination and
rectal pressure. If they get too big, fibroids may cause the uterus to become
enlarged.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis
is a noncancerous condition that mimics symptoms of fibroids. It results in the
lining of the uterus becoming embedded directly in the muscle wall of the
uterus. During the menstrual cycle, the cells of the muscle bleed, causing pain
and swelling.
The
adenomyoma is the swollen part of the uterine wall. Upon examination, the
adenomyoma feels like a fibroid, and it may even be confused with one on an
ultrasound.
Adenomyosis
may not cause any symptoms. In other severe cases, it can lead to heavy
bleeding and cramping during menstruation.
One
study of 985 women reported in the medical journal Human Reproduction found
that adenomyosis was present in approximately 20 per cent of participants.
However,
all participants in the study had attended a gynecology clinic with existing
symptoms. It is possible, then, that the prevalence of adenomyosis is higher in
the general population.
Polycystic ovarian
syndrome
Polycystic
ovarian syndrome (PCOS) also causes an enlarged uterus. It is the result of
hormonal imbalances in menstruation and the shedding of the endometrial lining
of the uterus. It affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, according to the
OWH.
The
body typically sheds the endometrial lining during the menstrual cycle, but in
some women, the lining is not entirely discarded and interferes with their
monthly cycle.
The
accumulation of the endometrial lining causes inflammation and enlargement of
the uterus.
Endometrial cancer
According
to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), endometrial cancer is most often
diagnosed in women ages 55 to 64. The NCI estimates there will be 61,380 new
cases in 2017.
One
of the symptoms of endometrial cancer is an enlarged uterus, although it can
also be an indicator of advanced stage cancer.
