Woman with stomach bulge possibly as a symptom of uterine fibroids

Many women who come to our centers share about the frustration of looking pregnant while struggling with infertility. If you aren’t pregnant but have unusual abdominal swelling, this may be a sign of an enlarged uterus. This distention can be caused by a number of different issues, including uterine fibroids. No matter the cause, a bulging belly can contribute to pain in your lower abdomen, bloating, constipation, headaches, abnormal menstruation, frequent urination, and infertility. 

The only way to discover what is behind your stomach bulge is to contact your doctor, as they can help you obtain an accurate medical diagnosis. Once the cause is determined, you can discuss the best course of action. If fibroids are behind your swollen stomach, we recommend visiting a fibroid specialist to learn about your full range of treatment options

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Fibroid Belly Bulge

If your stomach is bulging because of uterine fibroids, you may wonder what is going on. As fibroids grow, the uterus sometimes needs to expand to accommodate them. Your uterus is a muscular organ that can transform from the size of a fist to that of a baby, and even larger.

Many women first notice an expanding waistline when clothing begins to fit differently. Others have difficulty bending over or moving around: some experience frequent urination, digestive problems, or worsening menstrual cramps. In extreme cases, an enlarged uterus can impact the ability to perform daily activities. You may even get comments from people in your life asking if you are pregnant.

Along with sometimes causing the uterus to expand, fibroids and weight gain are often interlinked. Many women are surprised to learn that large fibroids can grow to the size of a watermelon and weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. 

When left untreated, your fibroids may continue to grow larger over time. The good news is that fibroid treatment is widely available and can alleviate symptoms like your fibroid belly bulge.

Fibroids and Stomach Swelling

An enlarged abdomen due to fibroids can cause women to appear to be as many as five months pregnant. Along with causing extreme discomfort and possible damage to surrounding organs, this situation can have a devastating emotional impact on affected individuals. 

If you look five months pregnant due to the presence of fibroids, you may suffer from a lack of self-esteem. You may feel sad, angry, or depressed. If you are also struggling with fertility and someone mistakenly thinks you are pregnant, this can be especially heartbreaking. 

Fortunately, our fibroid experts care about both your physical and emotional health. We want you to know that effective, non-surgical fibroid treatment exists that can potentially resolve this difficult situation.

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What Does a Fibroid Stomach Feel Like?

If you notice pain with uterine or stomach fibroids, which tends to happen around your period or around other times of your cycle, it may be a sign of a fibroid stomach. Heavy cramping before and during your period may indicate the presence of fibroids. There is a possibility you may also feel pain in your lower back, or pelvis, in which the fibroid could be placing pressure on organs.

Pain levels can range from being occasional and mild, to severe and constant. This pain possibly may extend beyond the back and through the hips and legs, which inhibits mobility and decreases your everyday quality of life.

Treatment for Fibroids Causing Stomach Swelling

If you are concerned that your stomach bulge may be due to fibroids, don’t wait around any longer to find out. You may not realize this, but uterine fibroids can damage surrounding organs, affect fertility, and cause painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient symptoms. Fortunately, we can help.

At USA Fibroid Centers, we strive to educate women about their full range of uterine fibroid treatment options. If you believe that having a hysterectomy is the only available treatment, this isn’t true. The reality is that you probably don’t need fibroid removal surgery to improve symptoms like an enlarged uterus.

Instead, our fibroid specialists perform a minimally-invasive, outpatient treatment called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). UFE does not require a hospital stay, takes only 30 to 45 minutes, and allows you to return to most normal activities within one to two weeks. 

Most women who undergo Uterine Fibroid Embolization experience drastically better lives afterward. Many report an improvement or elimination of their symptoms, such as:

  • Lighter periods
  • Less severe cramps, if any
  • Less abdominal bloating, if any
  • Normal urination
  • Resolution of anemia
  • Smaller fibroid belly
  • Weight loss

Visit USA Fibroid Centers for Fibroid Treatment

We have 90 clinic locations nationwide and offer both in-person and virtual doctor visits. We know your stomach bulge can add to your list of insecurities, and we want to help you reduce it and feel good about yourself again. To learn more about UFE and how it can help with your stomach fibroids, schedule an appointment online today with USA Fibroid Centers or give us a call at 855.615.2555.