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The normal size of the uterus during childbearing age can vary between 6.5 to 10 centimeters in height by about 6 centimeters in width and 2 to 3 centimeters in thickness, presenting a shape similar to an inverted pear, which can be evaluated through ultrasound.
However, the uterus is a very dynamic organ and, therefore, its size and volume can vary widely throughout a woman's life, especially due to the common hormonal changes at various stages of life, such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause, for example.
However, variations in the size of the uterus can also be a sign of a health problem, especially when the change is very large or appears with other symptoms. Some conditions that can change the size of the uterus include the presence of fibroids, adenomyosis or gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
When is it normal to have a change in size?
Changes in the size of the uterus considered normal during life stages such as:
1. Pregnancy
During pregnancy the uterus increases in size to accommodate the growing baby, returning to normal size after delivery. See how the baby grows during pregnancy.
2. Puberty
Since the age of 4, when the uterus is the same size as the cervix, the size of the uterus increases proportionally to age, and when the girl enters puberty, this increase is more significant, more specifically during the period in which the first menstruation occurs.
3. Menopause
After menopause it is normal for the uterus to shrink in size due to the decrease in hormonal stimulation, characteristic of this phase. See other changes that may occur during entry into menopause.
Diseases that change the size of the uterus
Although rare, changes in the size of the uterus can be a sign that the woman has some health condition. Thus, it is very important to go to the gynecologist at least once a year in order to detect possible changes. Some of the diseases that can cause changes in the size of the uterus are:
1. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids, also known as fibroids, are benign tumors that form in the tissue of the uterus and can be so large that they eventually change the size of the uterus. Generally, uterine fibroids do not cause symptoms, however, if they are considerable in size, they can cause cramping, bleeding and difficulty in becoming pregnant.
2. Adenomyosis
Uterine adenomyosis is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the uterus, causing symptoms such as pain, bleeding or cramps, which become more intense during menstruation, and difficulty in becoming pregnant. Learn how to identify the symptoms of adenomyosis and see how the treatment is done.
3. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is a type of cancer that although rare, can arise after a molar pregnancy, which is a rare condition where, during fertilization, a genetic error occurs, which causes a tangle of cells, which can give rise to spontaneous abortion or a malformed fetus.
4. Uterine malformations
The infant uterus and bicornuate uterus are uterine malformations that prevent the uterus from becoming normal in size. The infant uterus, also known as hypoplastic uterus or hypotrophic hypogonadism, is characterized by a congenital malformation, in which the uterus does not fully develop, maintaining the same size it had during childhood.
The bicornuate uterus is also a congenital anomaly. where the uterus, instead of having a pear shape, has a morphology in which there is a membrane that divides it into two parts. Find out what the diagnosis and treatment is like.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
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