Enlarged Uterus

Your uterus is designed to grow and expand. After all, it’s where a fetus grows into a five to 10-pound baby. But when your uterus expands without the presence of a growing child, that’s an indication that you need to seek enlarged uterus treatment. If you get pregnant before you find out how to reduce an enlarged uterus, your birth process may encounter serious complications. Fortunately, the process used for enlarged uterus treatment options is well known to your Brooklyn and Bronx Interventional Radiology expert, Dr. George Bolotin. Since most cases of the enlarged uterus are fibroid-related, you receive the best treatment and follow-up with his Astra Fibroid Treatment Specialists. Call today for an appointment.

What Causes an Enlarged Uterus?

The first thing that may come to mind when you think of an enlarged uterus is pregnancy. But there are many situations where an enlarged uterus doesn’t always hold the good news of a baby. Some causes of expansion in the uterus include:

• Uterine fibroids. These are non-cancerous muscular growths on or in the uterus wall. As they grow, the uterus also expands abnormally.
• Adenomyosis. This is a uterine condition in which the endometrium, the uterine lining, grows into the uterine wall. The condition continues during a woman’s reproductive years because of estrogen production.
• Cancerous tumors. Cancers of the reproductive system — such as uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and cervical cancer — produce malignant tumors. If the tumors are large or in a group, they can cause expansion of your uterus

Because of the critical function of the uterus, any structural changes require urgent attention from your doctor. If you notice your stomach growing and you aren’t pregnant, talk to a top-rated fibroid specialist. Dr. George Bolotin and his team at the Brooklyn and Bronx-based practice of Astra Fibroid Treatment Specialists offer individualized care and enlarged uterus treatment.

Is My Enlarged Uterus Caused by Fibroids?

Untreated fibroids are a leading cause of an enlarged uterus. And while fibroids can appear in different locations in your uterus, they can all lead to uterus enlargement. Subserosal fibroids grow on the uterine outer walls, while intramural fibroids develop in the muscular walls of the uterus. Submucosal fibroids grow underneath the uterine lining. When they grow, in addition to making the uterus larger, these uterine growths cause severe symptoms, including:

• Heavy periods
• Pelvic pain
• Frequent urination
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Excessive bleeding
• Weight gain
• Lower back pain
• A mass over your lower abdomen
• Weakness
• Constipation
• Swelling and cramping in your legs
• Fertility problems
• Pain in your internal organs, including the rectum, kidneys, bladder and stomach

You can expect severe complications if you have fibroids during pregnancy, especially if they cause an enlarged uterus. The associated risks include:

• Miscarriage
• Caesarian section
• Anemia
• Breech baby
• Problems with labor pains

Dr. Bolotin may order an imaging test, such as MRI or fibroid ultrasound to see the fibroids. These tests do not hurt your baby. Your fibroid doctor uses the results to identify how best to reduce your enlarged uterus.

Who’s at Risk of an Enlarged Uterus?

Some medical conditions that increase the risk of an enlarged uterus include:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This condition is the result of hormonal imbalances in menstruation. It causes an enlarged uterus when your body doesn’t shed the uterine lining.
• Endometrial cancer. An enlarged uterus could be an indicator of advanced stage cancer of endometrial cancer.
• Perimenopause. Fluctuations in hormones at this stage of life can cause the uterus to expand, although it later reverts to its normal size.
• Adenomyosis. This is a condition where the uterine lining is embedded into the muscle wall of the uterus, causing uterus expansion.
• Ovarian cysts. These are fluid-filled sacs in your ovary that can grow in size and cause an enlargement of the uterus and other complications.
• Fibroids. These uterine tumors in or on your uterus take up space in the uterus and cause expansion.

An Interventional Radiologist like Dr. Bolotin is well suited to assess your uterus through different diagnostic imaging tests, such as a sonohysterogram, ultrasound, hysteroscopy or hysterosalpingogram (HSG). These tests help to determine the underlying cause of the enlargement. The Astra Fibroids Treatment Specialists in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY have the best facilities to leverage the latest technology for a correct diagnosis and enlarged uterus treatment.

What’s the Treatment for an Enlarged Uterus?

Treatment for an enlarged uterus depends on the underlying cause of the expansion. Common treatment options include:

• Enlarged fibroid uterus treatment. Treatment can include hormone treatments, pain medication, fibroid removal through uterine fibroid embolization, myomectomy, hysterectomy, endometrial ablation and other procedures.
• Adenomyosis treatment. This involves the use of anti-inflammatory medications and hormonal contraception to relieve pain.
• Treatment for cancers. Cancer treatment may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

If you show any signs of an enlarged uterus, you may have serious underlying problems. Your doctors at the Astra Fibroid Treatment Specialists seek to treat the cause of your enlarged uterus to give you permanent relief. Contact Dr. Bolotin and his team to find the safest solution to your enlarged uterus using cutting-edge technology.