Normal Size Uterus

[nancyhb]

I had my first ultrasound in November due to lower abdominal pain. My uterus measured 6.  I was put on birth control pills, but quickly went off of them due to extreme mood swings.  I had my followup ultrasound last Monday and was told my uterus doubled in size in 4 months to 13.  Should I be concerned?  I am kind of worried...

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
ah I understand
it is not the uterus that is enlarged, it is the lining of the uterine cavity
that is called an endometrial stripe

for women who are menstruating, the thickness of the stripe will change over the cycle. The stripe will be at its thickest right before a period

If you are in menopause , a stripe over 6 mm is considered too thick and that is a reason for a biopsy or a D&C (dilation and curettage)

the reasons for thickness which correlates with a growth in the lining include:
benign fibroid
benign polyp
hyperplasia - pre cancer
or cancer

so the next step is a biopsy
best wishes

[nancyhb]

Thank you for responding. In November my ultrasound measured .6 in thickness and in four months the thickness doubled to 1.3. My Dr informed me that that isn't good because it van lead to cancer if it keeps thickening the way it is. Why is it like this and should I be concerned?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
what information has your doctor given you?
Uterine size can be measured by exam or by ultrasound.
ultrasound is much more accurate
sometimes what we think is a big uterus is actually an ovarian cyst
so I would suggest a repeat US to determine what is bigger

let us know
best wishes