Uterus on period vs not

Does a Uterus Really Double in Size During Menstruation?

A viral post that claims the ballooning size of a uterus during a period is to blame for a “heavy” feeling many women experience isn’t backed by science.

A viral photo making its way around Facebook claims to explain the reason many women feel “heavy” during their periods.

The photo compares two uterus models side-by-side. One represents a smaller, nonmenstruating uterus. The other model is a dark-colored menstruating uterus almost double in size.

The claim comes from Apples and Ovaries, an account run by a holistic nutritional therapist and natural fertility health consultant.

“This is why we feel so heavy at the beginning of our bleed. Why it can feel like our uterus is about to drop out and hit the pavement… And why we need to take things slooooooow,” Apples and Ovaries wrote as a caption for the photo.

Nearly 25,000 people have shared the Facebook post and 19,000 have liked it. The resounding response in more than 6,000 comments is, “Well that explains it. ”

One woman wrote, “Ahhh, that is a wonderful confirmation of the discomfort. All makes more sense now.”

Another woman wrote, “WOW good to know cause I do feel so bloated and heavy on the 2nd day.”

But two gynecologists say the models aren’t grounded in science.

Healthline asked Dr. Safrir Neuwirth, an OB-GYN at CentraState Healthcare System, if a woman’s uterus nearly doubles in size monthly during her period.

“The simple answer is no,” Neuwirth responded. “In my 20 years of practice, I’ve never noticed much of a change in the size of the uterus during the period.”

Another OB-GYN, Dr. Kimberly Gecsi, who practices at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, had a similar reaction. “I’ve never heard anything about a uterus increasing in size during a woman’s period,” she said.

“There are certain things that happen physiologically during a woman’s period that do increase the volume of the uterus and make it slightly more swollen,” Neuwirth noted. “But does the uterus double in size like this picture? No way.”

Neuwirth explained that there’s increased blood flow to the uterus during that time of the month, driven by a surge in hormones.

The lining of the uterus, which is what sheds during a period, also thickens by about half a centimeter leading up to the first day of menstruation.

“The combination of the two factors might slightly increase the volume of the uterus by as much as 10 to 15 percent,” Neuwirth told Healthline.

Megan Assaf, a licensed massage therapist and the founder of Wombs for Wisdom, created these uterus models. She said the two sizes are “based on a unique combination of medical science data, medical illustrations, cadaver observation, over a decade of manual palpation of living wombs, and concepts from traditional folk healing.”

Assaf told Healthline that the medical basis she cited comes from a Maya Abdominal Therapy book written by Rosita Arvigo, DN.

According to Assaf, the book states that in a woman who isn’t pregnant, the uterus weighs 4 ounces. During menstruation, the uterus can weigh as much as 8 ounces.

However, changes in weight and size aren’t the same thing.

The typical size of a uterus is approximately 7 centimeters long, 5 centimeters wide, and 4 centimeters thick.

But the size varies considerably, emphasized Neuwirth.

“The uterus models in the picture are both totally normal uterine sizes,” Gecsi clarified. “The smaller one looks like a uterus you could see in someone who’s never had children or is postmenopausal, and the other is pretty representative of a uterus in a woman who’s had a few children.”

Neuwirth further explained that having babies increases the size of the uterus, or womb. Most of the time after childbirth, the uterus will remain larger, he said.

There are a few other reasons for the variety in uterus size. About 20 to 80 percent of women will develop uterine fibroids by the time they’re 50. Fibroids are noncancerous growths on the side of the uterus wall. They vary in size and can enlarge the uterus overall.

Genetics are also at play in uterus size.

“It’s important know that if a woman’s uterus is enlarged, it could be a sign of a different problem” and to consult a doctor, Gecsi warned.

She pointed out that since the uterus is set deep into the pelvis, a woman wouldn’t be able to notice the change in size herself.

It’s easy for things to go viral without being fact checked, and these models certainly look compelling.

But the lack of scientific evidence to back up the change in uterine size during menstruation highlights the need to research medical information you read on social media if it’s not from a trusted source.

Since feeling “heavy” during a period is common, the picture of the uterus models resonated with thousands of women.

While women might experience a heavier feeling because of the increased volume of blood in the uterus, Neuwirth said, the main factor behind that full, uncomfortable feeling comes from a combination of bloating, extra water retention, and excess gas.

You can blame those symptoms on the plummeting levels of the hormone progesterone during a period — not a ballooning uterus.

About periods | The Royal Women's Hospital

In most women, the ‘menstrual cycle’ happens over 28 days, starting with the first day of your period. With each cycle your body prepares the lining of your uterus to create the ideal environment for a possible pregnancy.

Why do we have periods?

Your menstrual cycle is the time between one period and the next. Every month there is a complex interaction between the pituitary gland in the brain, the ovaries and the uterus (or womb). Messages and hormones are being passed around the body to prepare it for a possible pregnancy. An egg is produced, the lining of the uterus thickens up, hormones prepare the vagina and the cervix to accept and support sperm. When pregnancy doesn't occur, the egg is absorbed back into the body and the thick lining in the uterus is shed, this is your period. Then the cycle begins all over again.

Day one of your cycle is the first day of your period. This is when your uterus starts shedding the lining it has built up over the last 28 days.
After your period is over, the lining of your uterus starts to build up again to become a thick and spongy ‘nest’ in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
On day 14 (for most women), one of your ovaries will release an egg, which will make its way through a fallopian tube and will eventually make its way to your uterus (called ovulation).
On day 28 (for most women), if you have not become pregnant, the lining of your uterus starts to shed. This is your period. The blood you lose during your period is the lining of your uterus.

The menstural cycle

If you have sex during a cycle, and your egg meets a sperm, you can become pregnant. When you’re pregnant, you don’t get your period.

Is a cycle always 28 days?

The average cycle is 28 days but, for some women, it is as short as 21 days, for others it is as long as 35 days. When you first start having periods, it can also take a while before your periods develop a regular pattern. Your cycle also changes as you get older.

Your menstruation cycle (and period) stops temporarily when you are pregnant. Breastfeeding also affects your cycle. At the end of menopause, your cycle stops permanently.

What does a period feel like?

Some women will have pain in their belly (the lower abdomen). This can be a crampy pain or just a mild ache. You may have lower backache on its own or with the pain in your belly. The pain can often be stronger on the first day or two of your period and will vary in strength and severity from one women to another. Some women also have a headache or feel very tired just before their period arrives or on the first day. Mood changes, teariness and easily losing your temper can sometimes be an indicator that you are getting your period, this is referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension (PMT). For some women this can be so overwhelming that they are unable to go about their normal lives. Any symptoms that you find hard to manage should be investigated with your GP.

Many women have no symptoms at all. It is not uncommon for women to notice that they have their period only after they have gone to the toilet and found that there is blood on their underpants or on their toilet paper.

Even without overwhelming symptoms, some women still find it comforting to simply take time out when they get their period, and cuddle up with a hot water bottle.

Adolescent girls and women can both experience skin changes and pimples with their periods.

What to do when you get your period

Before you start getting periods it is good to be prepared for when it eventually comes. Hopefully you will have an opportunity to talk with your mother or sister or someone else in your family who can help you to prepare. Meanwhile here are some tips for when you do start bleeding.

Use period products like a pad, tampon, menstrual cup or period underwear to absorb the bleeding. Pads and liners are longs strips of cotton that you stick to your underwear. Tampons are thin cylinders of dense cotton attached to a string that you put inside your vagina. Pads, liners and tampons come in different shapes and sizes. Pads should be changed every four to five hours to stop leakage. You can use a tampon whenever you want, you don't have to wait until you start having sex before a tampon will go in. It may be a little hard to get it in to begin with, but you will get used to it very quickly. Tampons should be changed every three to four hours. Menstrual cups should be changed about every eight hours and period underwear can be washed out at the end of the day.
Keep a ‘period kit’ somewhere handy. This is because you might get your period unexpectedly or forget it’s due. Keeping some painkillers, period products and a spare pair of underpants in your bag, at school or at work can be a lifesaver.
Enjoy life as much as possible. It’s safe and often possible to do all the things you would normally do. It’s also okay to have sex when you have your period, but if you’re using a tampon you’ll need to take it out first.

If you have period pain you can take painkillers that you can buy over the counter at the chemist. If your pain isn’t relieved with regular painkillers, visit your GP (your local doctor).

The Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.

Mistakes that women make during menstruation

Menstruation (mensis) is a physiological process that occurs in the body of every woman. As everyone knows, it is quite difficult to foresee the symptoms of this process in advance, since the body of each woman is individual, therefore, the symptoms for each are different from dull pain to fainting. Mostly, each of us, following our monthly cycle, is guided by the symptoms and the days of “arrival of guests”. Most of the beautiful half does not provide important attention to the beginning of the menstrual cycle, and continues to work in the usual rhythm. Gynecologists have different points of view on this matter, but you still need to pay attention to 8 basic rules:

1. Bed rest . Why, from the first days, without even feeling pain, or hearing a slight sipping in the lower abdomen, girls attribute bed rest to themselves in order to reduce heavy discharge and stop pain symptoms, to give the body a rest. This is the first of the errors - because when lying down the blood stagnates and the whole physiological process of our body becomes even more painful, although the moments of being in a horizontal position seem to be quite good and painless. It is due to minimal physical activity that the body releases the right amount of menstrual blood. nine0005

2. Taking medications . It is not advisable to accustom your body by helping it with analgesics. Sometimes the pain is of a mild nature, it is better to wait and endure, to give the body the opportunity to overcome it. In case of severe, non-severe shingles symptoms, preparations containing paracetamol are recommended. In no case do not take analgin, and aspirin, because they affect hematopoietic processes, and during menstruation, there is a process of worsening blood clotting. nine0005

3 . Using swabs . Usually it is quite comfortable especially in summer and during festive events. But we must not forget that the constant use of tampons leads to increased decomposition of blood cells in a warm environment and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs.

4. Bathing and pooling . The cervix is actively involved in menstruation, as it opens more than usual and is very susceptible to the influence of bacteria. To be considered , while taking baths, the body overheats, the vessels dilate leading to increased blood circulation, which can lead to increased bleeding. Swimming in pools, rivers, no matter how we store and which tampons we put, bacteria through the open neck will enter our uterus and can lead to unwanted diseases.

5. Sports activities . As we skip workouts, this is important .. yes, but on the first day it is advisable to completely abandon physical activity, which contribute to increased blood flow and abundant discharge. nine0003 But you can do yoga (without turning upside down), physiotherapy exercises.

6. Diets . Blood loss and malnutrition can lead to unwanted effects. Since the body is exhausted, frequent and rational nutrition in small portions will only restore its strength and in no case affect the physical form.

7. Alcoholic beverages. In turn, they only provoke malaise and increase menstrual pain. Let's go to replace with their immense amount of liquid (juices, water, tea)

8. Sexual life. You think categorically not, although in fact it is. Of course, no one can forbid this, just remember and do not forget about barrier methods of contraception, because the risk of infection and development is the highest percentage due to uterine blood, which is one of the best environments for development and infection and microbes entering the uterine cavity. And the choice is always yours. nine0005

Our health is priceless, risking it is simply unacceptable!

Publication date 03/13/2019

Hyperplasia of the inner lining of the uterus - Dopomoga+ Medical Center

Cause of irregular menstruation: hyperplasia of the inner lining of the uterus.

Very often women do not pay attention to their irregular periods.

Normally refers to prolonged menstruation or constant spotting. But, it can be a symptom of hyperplasia of the inner lining of the uterus. What is it and how to deal with it tells gynecologist of the network of medical clinics "Dopomoga +" Lina Irha .

What is uterine lining hyperplasia?

This is the growth of the endometrium in the uterine cavity. Normally, all menstruating women have it. This is the inner lining of the uterus that lines it. During menstruation, the endometrium comes out in small fragments. There is a situation when it grows a lot, due to a violation of the hormonal background: the function of the ovaries or the thyroid gland. Often hyperplasia occurs against the background of diabetes mellitus. And also, as a result of other endocrine diseases. It can be divided into local, in the form of a polyp, and diffuse, when the entire uterine membrane grows evenly. nine0005

What are the symptoms of hyperplasia of the inner lining of the uterus?

Very heavy or prolonged menses. Normal menstruation is 3 to 7 days. During the day, a woman changes no more than 4-5 sanitary pads for 3 drops. There shouldn't be pain. The general state should not change.

If more than 5 pads are used, the woman experiences severe pain during menstruation, lasting more than 7 days, then endometrial hyperplasia can be suspected.

Very scanty menses. The endometrium does not come out, but remains in the uterus. The mechanism of rejection of the endometrium is disrupted, a new one grows and does not come out.