What Causes Calcification of the Uterus? Find Out if This Condition is Dangerous
What is Calcification?
Calcification of the uterus is when calcium deposits accumulate on the walls of the uterus. Sometimes this condition is caused by scarring from IUDs or from previous surgeries. Hyaline degeneration that supplies its own blood supply can lead up to calcification formation. The calcification that forms on the wall can be thin, however can grow into fibroid like tumors or cysts. It can also spread to other parts of the uterus.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms may include bleeding more than usual or heavier periods. Some bleeding may occur following or during intercourse. This would all depend on the severity of the condition.
Cramping is another symptom of uterine calcification. The severity of cramping can be mild to severe. Some patients may not experience cramping at all. However, they may experience mild to severe pain occasionally. Some women have experienced pain during and after intercourse. Sometimes to the extent, that intercourse is too painful.
How is it diagnosed?
It is important for women to have annual checkups with their gynecologist. However, if the patient experiences symptoms such as bleeding, cramping, and pain, it is recommended to schedule an early appointment to see the doctor. This would also include if they are experiencing painful intercourse.
This condition is usually diagnosed by a gynecologic exam, followed by a CAT scan, MRI, and laboratory test from cultures taken from the uterus during the examination. The gynecologist can then determine and verify if the patient’s symptoms are caused by calcification.
How is it treated?
The treatment of this condition would be treated depending on the severity of the symptoms and the stage of the condition itself. Medications may be given in milder cases. Pain medications may be prescribed for pain relief. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. For some women, a hysterectomy may be necessary. The patient’s history and family history, along with the test results will help the physician determine whether surgery is needed or not. Calcification of the uterus that goes untreated, could lead up to fibroid like tumors that could eventually lead to uterine cancer. That is why most physicians take this condition very serious. However, it is important to note that not all calcification leads up to cancer. Sometimes it can lead up to noncancerous fibroid tumors. Either, which can lead up to surgery and can be just as painful.
In Conclusion
It is very important to have this condition diagnosed by a physician. There are other conditions that have similar symptoms, and these conditions would need to be ruled out by a physician. Regular gynecological exams can help in early detection of uterine calcification and other conditions. Women need to be in tune with their bodies, and when anything unusual is questionable, schedule an appointment with their doctors. It has been proven that women, who report the symptoms to their doctor as soon as they occur, are able to receive treatment in the early stages of serious conditions such as uterine cancer.
Resources
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Brown Medical School and Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island: https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Obstetrics_Gynecology/
University of Wiconsin - Madison: School of Medicine and Public Health: https://www.med.wisc.edu/
Indiana University: https://library.medicine.iu.edu/audience-container/faculty-and-residents/ob-gyn/
