What is an enlarged uterus? What causes an enlarged uterus? The cause of an enlarged uterus is unknown. It is more common in women over 30 who have had children, most often by cesarean section or have had other uterine surgery.
A uterus is positioned between the bladder and the rectum in a woman. The baby develops inside it during pregnancy, so any localized problem can cause female sterility or infertility.
Today, we will review the main cause of enlarged uterus that can affect the uterus, how to recognize their symptoms and what treatment they have.
What causes an enlarged uterus?
As we know, the uterus is the largest organ of the female reproductive system has an elongated and narrow part located in the lower part, called the cervix or neck, and another wider part in the upper part formed by two layers: the endometrium (the innermost layer) and the myometrium (the outer layer).
Its shape resembles that of an inverted pear, and when there is no pregnancy, it measures approximately 8 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm (length, width, and thickness) and weighs between 50-70 grams. After pregnancy, both measurements and weight may vary slightly, reaching 9 or 10 cm in length and 80 grams in weight.
One in 10 women faces a problem getting pregnant, with pathologies in the uterus being one of the main causes.
In women of childbearing age, the ovaries produce estrogen at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen helps prepare the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for a pregnancy. When the uterus is ready, one ovary releases an egg that travels down the fallopian tube, where it awaits possible fertilization.
What causes an enlarged uterus: symptoms and treatment?
Uterine fibroids are one of the main pathologies of the uterus in women of childbearing age. These are non cancerous masses of muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and around the uterus wall.
This mass installed in the uterus can be from a centimeter in diameter to a couple of kilos in weight, be one or several, and sometimes does not cause any symptoms, which does not favor its detection.
The five most frequently asked questions about what causes an enlarged uterus?
The five most frequently asked questions about the what are the cause of enlarged uterus and pregnancy resolved.
Symptoms: heaviness in the lower belly area and the pelvic area, profuse bleeding, discomfort during sexual intercourse, and abnormal increase in the abdomen. In some cases, an enlarged uterus could also complicate pregnancy, so if they are detected earlier, it will be necessary to assess their removal with the doctor.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease that affects 15% of women. The endometrium grows outside of the lining and affects other areas of the body (ovaries, fallopian tubes, the large intestine, and the ligaments that support the uterus), often causing fertility problems.
Symptoms: Endometriosis is a silent disease because it often takes five to 10 years for the first symptoms to be detected. Chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, discomfort during sexual intercourse, bleeding after urination, and fatigue are the most common.
Treatment: The treatment to be followed will depend on the severity of the symptoms but usually include pain medication, hormone therapy, and surgery.
Endometrial hyperplasia
Endometrial hyperplasia is a benign disease in which the lining of the uterus becomes too thick due to an increased number of endometrial cells. It usually appears after the age of 40, and it is very important to maintain a proper medical follow-up because if the appropriate treatment is not administered, it could evolve into uterine cancer.
Symptoms: Among the symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia are very heavy and longer-lasting menstrual bleeding than usual, menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days, bleeding or spotting between periods, premenopause or uterine bleeding after menopause.
Treatment: the most common is the use of progestin (in pills, injections, vaginal creams, or IUD).
Enlarged uterus
Adenomyosis is also identified as the enlarged uterus. A tissue that lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows on the outer walls of the uterus. The displaced tissue continues to function normally, thickens, breaks down and is eliminated with each menstrual cycle.
The cause of enlarged uterus is a common benign disorder in women who have given birth between the ages of 35 and 50.
Symptoms: the symptoms are a larger than normal uterus and very abundant and painful periods.
Treatment: This disorder usually resolves on its own after menopause. In some cases, hormone therapy and even hysterectomy may be necessary.
Cervicitis
It is an inflammation of the cervix caused by an infection in the vagina, an allergic reaction, or, in most cases, by a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia, syphilis, or gonorrhea.
Symptoms: the main symptom of cervicitis is the appearance of excessive and purulent vaginal discharge. Other symptoms include pain during intercourse, bleeding outside of menstruation, and pain when urinating.
Treatment: the alteration of the cervical mucus is a cause of female sterility, so it is important to diagnose this inflammation early so that the infection does not ascend towards the uterine cavity, find out what causes it and treat it.
Uterine malformation
In some cases, the uterus does not develop correctly, producing certain anomalies or malformations that can also affect the fallopian tubes and the vagina. Among these malformations is bicornuate uterus, unicornuate uterus, diadelphous, inverted uterus, septate uterus, and vaginal agenesis or absence of uterus.
Is it hereditary, contagious, or can it be prevented?
No, the cause of enlarged uterus cannot be prevented, nor is it hereditary or contagious.
In case of severe symptoms, the following can be done:
Endometrial ablation is destroying a part of the endometrium if it has not penetrated far into the interior of the muscle layer.
Uterine artery embolization: It consists of performing a catheterization through the femoral artery until reaching the uterine artery. A kind of gelatin or plastic is injected that plugs the artery and prevents irrigation to the area where the enlarged uterus is found, which leads to its disappearance.
A hysterectomy: definitive surgical treatment of the disease.
Do you have any of these symptoms? Contact USA Fibroids Centers
Remember that taking care of your health should be a priority in your life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect that you may have an enlarged uterus, do not hesitate to call our centers and request consultation with one of our doctors at USA fibroid Centers
