Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 12 July 2023
Bulky uterus is the term used to refer to an enlarged uterus. The enlargement can be caused by various uterine conditions such as fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, cysts and so on. In certain scenarios, an enlarged uterus is also associated with the conditions like endometrial hyperplasia, or sometimes even with rare cancers.
The normal size of the uterus, when non-pregnant, would be approximately around 5 cm wide, 7.5 cm long, and 2.5 cm thick. The normal size of the uterus may usually be similar to the size of an avocado. The size may more or less vary depending on the woman’s physique. When the dimension of the uterus varies from its normal size, either smaller or larger, the problem arises and requires immediate medical attention.
Many women experience infertility issues because of a bulky uterus. It can also cause a negative impact on both the expectant mother and the unborn baby, if pregnant.
In this blog, we are going to explore the bulky uterus causes, bulky uterus symptoms, bulky uterus treatment and more. This may help you to understand the condition better and make more informed decisions to achieve a successful pregnancy and lead a healthy life.
If the size of the uterus enlarges without being pregnant, it could potentially indicate the presence of various uterine medical conditions. Some of them are as follows:
The fluctuations in the hormone production are the significant cause of a bulky uterus. When the estrogen hormones are overproduced without sufficient progesterone hormones to balance them, the tissue in the endometrium tends to grow abnormally. Consequently, it causes the uterus to be enlarged.
Even though fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumours that grow inside or outside the uterus, can cause significant disruptions in the woman’s reproductive health. The uterine fibroid’s size may widely differ from small to large. The large-size fibroids can undoubtedly expand the size of the uterus, and make it look bulky.
Adenomyosis is a medical condition that develops in the uterus. The condition appears when the tissue that usually lines up the uterus, which is known as endometrium, tends to grow in the outer muscular layer of the uterus, which is known as myometrium. The condition is generally found in women of 40-50 years, especially after childbirth. Even though the exact reason for the condition is still unknown, many experts believe that the condition is associated with uterine inflammation and hormone fluctuations. The unusual tissue growth in the uterus can potentially enlarge the uterus and make it look bulky.
The formation of the ovarian cysts is primarily associated with the hormonal imbalance. The stated factor is the contributor to developing multiple cysts in the ovaries. This can typically disrupt the regular menstrual cycle and affect the shredding of the uterine lining. Potentially leading to the enlargement of the uterus and making it look bulky. Furthermore, larger cysts can also develop the feeling of bloating and fullness in women.
Uterine polyps are benign tumours, which are grown on the uterine lining, otherwise known as endometrium. The presence of multiple polyps in the uterus can potentially make it look bulky. Furthermore, these uterine polyps can have a negative impact on women’s reproductive health such as infertility, prolonged and irregular periods, and bleeding between periods. It can also interfere with fertility treatments when the embryo is implanted.
Endometriosis is a medical condition that emerges when the muscle that usually develops inside the uterus (endometrium) tends to grow outside of it. The condition may cause a negative impact on the uterus by developing scarring, inflammation, adhesions, and the formation of cysts. All these factors contribute to the enlargement of the uterus and make it look bulky.
The symptoms of the bulky uterus may significantly vary depending on its cause. However, listed below are some of the common symptoms of the conditions.
A bulky uterus, which is associated with uterine conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and more, can cause numerous negative impacts. These conditions may significantly exhibit a direct impact on the reproductive health of the women. The conditions make it difficult for the women to conceive, and enhance the risk of complications during conception, and even during childbirth. Listed below is a detailed explanation of how a bulky uterus can negatively impact women during pregnancy.
Conditions like uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts can possibly disrupt the normal functioning of the uterus. The normal functioning may include adequate blood flow, uterine lining receptivity, thickness of the lining and more. Such uterine conditions can interfere with these mechanisms and negatively impact the fertilization, implantation and development of the embryo.
A bulky uterus can cause the imbalance production of reproductive hormones in women. This significantly leads to negative impacts on the normal ovulation process and overall reproductive health.
Apart from experiencing pain and discomfort because of the bulky uterus, the condition can primarily lead to an increased risk of miscarriage. This happens as uterine disorders like polyps and fibroids can interfere with the uterine environment. As a result, it makes it hard for the conception to be carried to the full term.
A bulky uterus can undoubtedly have a negative impact on the growing fetus and lead to a higher risk of premature labour.
A bulky uterus can develop placental complications in expectant mothers, which include placenta previa, placental accreta, and placental abruption. A bulky uterus can potentially interfere with the placental attachment and uterine wall causing serious complications during and after delivery.
A bulky uterus can certainly interfere with the normal positioning of the unborn baby. This can make it more challenging for the baby to be born through the birth canal. Hence, the requirement of a C-section is necessitated.
A bulky uterus may potentially be caused by certain medical conditions such as ovarian cysts and fibroids. This can potentially disrupt the adequate supply of blood to the uterus. This can potentially impact fetal growth development during pregnancy.
A bulky uterus caused by uterine conditions like adenomyosis and fibroids can lead to an increased risk of developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious medical complication that arises during pregnancy. The condition may cause high blood pressure and sometimes damage organs because of the pressure given by a bulky uterus. Preeclampsia may usually emerge in the pregnant woman after 20 weeks.
A bulky uterus caused by uterine conditions such as adenomyosis and fibroids can somehow interfere with the blood vessels in the uterine cavity. The interference can enhance the risk of bleeding excessively during childbirth and postpartum.
A woman may struggle to deliver the baby vaginally with a bulky uterus and other uterine conditions. This leads to obstructed labour and necessitating the requirement of C-section delivery.
THere are some of the expert approaches to treating a bulky uterus.
When it comes to treating uterine disorders like bulky uterus, your healthcare provider may start with the medications. The medications may include progestins, oral contraceptives, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. These medications may significantly help with regulating the ovulation, and menstrual cycle, treat excessive bleeding during menstruation, and shrink tumours like fibroids and endometriosis.
In certain scenarios, your provider may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to help relieve pain and inflammation. In addition, iron supplements may also be given to treat anaemic patients, which is caused by heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Myomectomy is the procedure, which is used to eradicate certain uterine medical conditions. The healthcare provider may generally suggest the procedure for the women who are planning for the pregnancy.
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is the procedure performed to treat a bulky uterus, which is caused by various uterine conditions. The procedure is done by blocking the blood supply to the conditions like adenomyosis or fibroids. This will cause the conditions to shrink. The UAE procedure is generally considered an alternative option for myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy is the procedure that is performed to remove the uterus, occasionally ovaries to treat a bulky uterus. The procedure is suggested by the healthcare provider only when other treatment options have failed to treat the condition. Furthermore, the procedure is also recommended for women who do not desire to get pregnant. Hysterectomy can be performed using three methods, which include vaginal, abdominal, or laparoscopic.
Endometrial ablation is the procedure performed to treat women who experience excessive bleeding during periods. The procedure is done by destroying the uterine lining, which will significantly reduce the shredding.
MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is the procedure performed to treat a bulky uterus caused by uterine conditions like adenomyosis and fibroids. The procedure is done by using focused ultrasound waves to destroy the grown muscles of the uterine conditions, with of course guided by using MRI imaging.
Even though a bulky uterus is a serious condition, the right treatment at the right time can enhance the outcome.
1. Can a bulky uterus be cured without any medical interventions?
The answer to the question is no. While a bulky uterus cannot be cured without any medical interventions, the symptoms associated with the condition can be somehow managed with certain lifestyle changes.
2. How can I prevent a bulky uterus?
To prevent a bulky uterus, you can consider maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding drinking, smoking and using other substances, and managing stress. You can also monitor your reproductive health regularly with the help of a reputed gynaecologist.
3. Can I have a healthy pregnancy even a bulky uterus?
The answer to the question is yes. You can achieve a successful and healthy pregnancy even with a bulky uterus. However, it requires special attention and medical care.
4. What is the approximate size of a bulky uterus?
The normal size of the uterus, when non-pregnant, would be approximately 5 cm wide, 7.5 cm long, and 2.5 cm thick. When the uterus surpasses the normal size, it is then considered a bulky uterus. There is no certain size of a bulky uterus.
5. Do I gain weight with a bulky uterus?
The answer to the question is no. Even though a bulky uterus does not have a direct impact on weight gain, the conditions associated with it like fibroids and adenomyosis can contribute to your body weight. A bulky uterus can also give you the appearance of gaining weight, specifically in the abdomen region.
