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What Are the Symptoms of a Swollen Uterus?
There are many symptoms of a swollen uterus. The type of symptoms a woman experiences will depend on what causes the enlarged uterus. General symptoms include swelling of the abdomen, irregular bleeding, and pain in the pelvic region. Uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer, ovarian cysts, and adenmyosis are the four causes of this condition.
Uterine fibroids are one of the most common causes of a swollen uterus. These non-cancerous growths can occur in the uterine wall, on the outside, or on the inside of the uterus. The presence of fibroids can cause bleeding, abdominal pain, or a lower back ache. Some women also experienced pain during intercourse and constipation.
A swollen uterus may also be caused by endometrial cancer. This condition occurs when cancerous tumors grow in the endometrium. Some common symptoms include trouble urinating and bleeding between menstrual cycles or after menopause. Pain during intercourse is also likely to occur.
Ovarian cysts are another cause of a swollen uterus. In this instance, an unhealthy uterus is not the problem. Cysts growing on or inside the ovaries cause the inflamed response of the uterus. Many occurrences of ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms and go undetected. When uterine swelling occurs, doctors look for ovarian cysts as a cause.
Adenomyosis is another common issue that can cause a swollen uterus. This condition occurs when the uterine lining begins growing into the muscular wall. Symptoms include abnormal menstrual cramping, passing of blood clots and heavy bleeding during menstruation, and bleeding in between periods.
One of the most common general symptoms associated with a swollen uterus is abnormal menstrual bleeding. This symptom is also known as menorrhagia. Bleeding can be in large amounts, intermittent, or cause periods that last longer than a normal period.
Sudden weight gain is another symptom of a swollen uterus. A woman’s weight tends to fluctuate naturally in small increments as a response to the menstrual cycle or hormone changes. When there’s no logical or explainable reason for this weight gain, an enlarged uterus may be the cause.
Properly diagnosing a swollen uterus is important. The right cause of the swelling is necessary in order to create a successful treatment plan. Diagnosis can be reached through various testing, including blood tests, laparoscopy, and endometrial biopsies.
Treatments will vary depending on the exact cause of the swelling. Hormonal therapy, radiation or chemotherapy, and surgery are common treatments for cancer. Other treatments are limited to prescription medications to reduce pain and inflammation for causes that are unknown.
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![An exam by a doctor may help diagnose a swollen uterus.]()
By: Zsolnai GergelyAn exam by a doctor may help diagnose a swollen uterus. -
![The uterus is part of the female reproductive system.]()
By: fixer00The uterus is part of the female reproductive system. -
![Ovarian cysts can lead to a swollen uterus.]()
By: joshyaOvarian cysts can lead to a swollen uterus. -
![Uterine fibroids are the most common cause of a swollen uterus.]()
By: rob3000Uterine fibroids are the most common cause of a swollen uterus. -
![Ovarian cysts may cause a swollen uterus.]()
By: michaeljungOvarian cysts may cause a swollen uterus. -
![Prolonged menstrual periods may be a sign of a swollen uterus.]()
By: Vlad IvantcovProlonged menstrual periods may be a sign of a swollen uterus.
Discussion Comments
I am a 48 year old woman. I went to the doctor yesterday for my yearly exam. She said my uterus was slightly enlarged and has scheduled me for an ultrasound. I really have had no issues that I know of, except the last few days I have thought that I was getting a bladder infection because it was "pinching" whenever I would urinate. And I was having to urinate quite frequently. I thought the latter was due to my thyroid though, because I do have Graves Disease. But I cut out my soda and the symptoms seemed to alleviate substantially.
I asked the doctor if that could cause the uterus to enlarge, and she said no. Anyway, they couldn't get me in for my ultrasound until July 10, so I will have to wait to see what's going on. My pap in 2012 came back with abnormal cells so they did the HPV Test, which came back negative. They didn't do one in 2013, and the doctor didn't do one at my exam yesterday. Surprisingly enough, I am not scared. I have read where menopause can cause it to enlarge, and I really do feel that is all it is since I don't seem to have any of these symptoms that everyone else writes about. I don't think I'm pregnant. Lordy, that would scare me! My baby will be 20 in August.
It's interesting that enlargement of the uterus can be caused by so many different things! But the symptoms seem to be the same, even if the cause is different. It seems like abnormal menstrual bleeding is the most common symptoms of having a swollen uterus.
I'm actually not sure if I would go to the doctor if I had some bleeding in between periods, or an abnormal period or two. I wonder if a lot of women are walking around with this problem and don't know it? I'm definitely going to mention this condition to all my female friends so they know what to look out for!
@starrynight - I've heard that uterine and ovarian cancers often go undiagnosed for awhile because women don't pay attention to their symptoms or think they'll go away! Glad your aunt got help in time.
I actually had a friend who had a different enlarged uterus cause than your aunt. She had an enlarged uterus because of fibroids! As the article mentioned, it was quite the process for her to get diagnosed. I remember her going to the doctor all the time for various tests! Then, when she finally was diagnosed she had surgery to remove the uterine fibroids.
One of my aunts had cancer, and uterus swelling was actually what tipped her doctors off. She gained a bunch of weight really suddenly, and was really bloated as well. She also had some of the other symptoms of a swollen uterus too, like bleeding in between periods.
My aunt didn't think that having some spotting between periods was a big deal. However, the sudden weight gain was really strange, so that's what made her go to the doctor. I'm glad she paid attention to her symptoms, because they caught her cancer in time and she is now in remission!
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