My stomach is round and bloated, and it makes me look pregnant

Posted by Seeking answers @bosnianbeauty, Jan 10, 2012

I have been having problems with my stomach for quite a while now.

My stomach is always round and bloated ,as if i am pregnant.
I have pain most days and have severe cramps and vaginal muscle cramps/contractions during my period. I also bleed a lot.

I eat healthy,take multivitamins and drink water and no sodas or fruit drinks just fruits and veggies. I know most people have flatter stomachs even those who don't eat as well as me.

I have done research and have come to some conclusions that could fit. I think i might have a uterine fibroid or cyst,something that is making my stomach big.
I also have ugly stretchmarks even though i have never been pregnant and am not pregnant,but at times it looks like it.
If anyone has anything similar or knows anything,i would really appreciate the feedback.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

Profile picture for danceswithhammer @danceswithhammer

Good luck with your procedure, sounds like it has been a really long road.
Thanks for mentioning your licorice remedy, I will have to try it with my belching disorder ( separate GI thread).

Jump to this post

I've read that licorice raise blood pressure quickly after consuming it

REPLY
Profile picture for htocco @htocco

Hello,
I have chronic bloating and distention of the abdomen and am very uncomfortable all of the time. I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy (both negative), have tried a low FODMAP diet for several weeks, with no change. I do take probiotics as well a ginger root and peppermint. I rarely have cramping, except after a bowel movement. After a BM, the distention is more severe for the entire day. My GI doctor is at a lost as to what to do now. It seems much of the GI field is mysterious, and, unfortunately there are no answers for many conditions, including this. Is there anyone out there with similar symptoms? Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thank you!
Helen

Jump to this post

You could have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). It causes bloating. Have you had a fecal elastase test?

Also, you may want to see a gynecologist. Bloating can be an early sign of ovarian cancer.

REPLY

Hey there! I have the same problem. I'm 45, 46 kg, always an athlet and now i look like pregnant. I have endomethriozis, had rezection of colon, but now, after 3 years from the surgery the abdomen just got bigger and bigger. Lost weight, pain in my joints, voice is changing, i feel like i am getting older every day. Energy is zero. So far no diagnostic from any doctors, including Mayo's. Can anyone help? I am open to anysuggestions. Gi / gyneco/ holistic/ natural ....anything!

REPLY
Profile picture for MKhan @mkhan1

Hi there! I read you problem but first you should point out your age and whether your abdomen was always like this and if not when it started to be like this. Anyways I can give you certain information about the uterine fibroid. It is common in obese women, frequent in the middle and later reproductive years,can cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, urinary frequency and urgency. In rare cases, some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy. I dont think a uterine fibroid can be as big as to cause abdomen to be like a pregnant form. The ugly strech marks you pointed can be due to an excessive abdominal fat. I would suggest you to consult a gynecologist. I hope my answer will work.
Regards.

Jump to this post

Hi MKhan, my mother had a 13 pound fibroid tumor removed from her many years ago. The people in the operating room said it looked like a basketball. They can get quite large! Thanks.

REPLY

Three years ago, I was my normal weight 125 pounds, and a friend was visiting me, and I noticed I was getting a stomach. I showed it to her, and she thought I was pushing it out. (I always have a flat stomach). Six months later my weight went from 125 to 190 pounds. People commented I was pregnant, and I could not fit into ANY of my clothes or shoes. Bloodwork showed I had a Hypothyroid and was told this was the reason. Now for 2 years I have been on thyroid meds and my blood work has always been perfect. I live on the beach and wont dare go on it with all the weight gain. My doctor told me exercise would work. I have been exercising and eating normal meals have lost 20 pounds but not in my stomach. I just finished a belly 5 min workout and when I was done my stomach bloated like I was pregnant. Can I ever lose this weight. I can't wear any of my clothes nor even fit in my bra's. I see my Dr. in 3 weeks because I have been depressed and have been isolating.

REPLY
Profile picture for holly1295 @holly1295

Three years ago, I was my normal weight 125 pounds, and a friend was visiting me, and I noticed I was getting a stomach. I showed it to her, and she thought I was pushing it out. (I always have a flat stomach). Six months later my weight went from 125 to 190 pounds. People commented I was pregnant, and I could not fit into ANY of my clothes or shoes. Bloodwork showed I had a Hypothyroid and was told this was the reason. Now for 2 years I have been on thyroid meds and my blood work has always been perfect. I live on the beach and wont dare go on it with all the weight gain. My doctor told me exercise would work. I have been exercising and eating normal meals have lost 20 pounds but not in my stomach. I just finished a belly 5 min workout and when I was done my stomach bloated like I was pregnant. Can I ever lose this weight. I can't wear any of my clothes nor even fit in my bra's. I see my Dr. in 3 weeks because I have been depressed and have been isolating.

Jump to this post

Hi, sorry to hear about your tummy.

Sounds like you might be experiencing some gastrointestinal issues.

When you see your doctor again ask him to check you for SIBO.

“Symptoms of SIBO are nonspecific and include bloating, abdominal distension, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness. The frequency and severity of symptoms likely reflect both the degree of bacterial overgrowth along with the extent of mucosal inflammation.”

Since digestive conditions mimic each other it’s hard to diagnose. But at least this is a start to your proactive search to address your problematic digestive issues.

Take care and wishing you good health.

REPLY
Profile picture for holly1295 @holly1295

Three years ago, I was my normal weight 125 pounds, and a friend was visiting me, and I noticed I was getting a stomach. I showed it to her, and she thought I was pushing it out. (I always have a flat stomach). Six months later my weight went from 125 to 190 pounds. People commented I was pregnant, and I could not fit into ANY of my clothes or shoes. Bloodwork showed I had a Hypothyroid and was told this was the reason. Now for 2 years I have been on thyroid meds and my blood work has always been perfect. I live on the beach and wont dare go on it with all the weight gain. My doctor told me exercise would work. I have been exercising and eating normal meals have lost 20 pounds but not in my stomach. I just finished a belly 5 min workout and when I was done my stomach bloated like I was pregnant. Can I ever lose this weight. I can't wear any of my clothes nor even fit in my bra's. I see my Dr. in 3 weeks because I have been depressed and have been isolating.

Jump to this post

Just a thought, if the tummy swelling gets worse at certain times, you might want to check for SIBO. I had it for two years before I got a diagnosis. My stomach went from normal to 8 months pregnant-looking in a hour +/- after eating, horrific and painful. Specific antibiotics and a diet change. Not less food as much as just certain food avoidance.
If your doctor doesn’t do breath testing for that, I believe you can buy a home kit.
Good luck!

REPLY
Profile picture for riana1 @riana1

Hi, sorry to hear about your tummy.

Sounds like you might be experiencing some gastrointestinal issues.

When you see your doctor again ask him to check you for SIBO.

“Symptoms of SIBO are nonspecific and include bloating, abdominal distension, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness. The frequency and severity of symptoms likely reflect both the degree of bacterial overgrowth along with the extent of mucosal inflammation.”

Since digestive conditions mimic each other it’s hard to diagnose. But at least this is a start to your proactive search to address your problematic digestive issues.

Take care and wishing you good health.

Jump to this post

Hi,
Thank you so much for this information. I have never heard of SIBO and I will definitely ask my doctor about this. I wonder if probiotics would help. I will wait till I see my doctor and will let you know what he says. It is so hard dealing with this because the stomach is big but then sometimes it really gets to the point where it looks and feels like I am pregnant. The stomach is big and hard. I have already gone through medopause which I did at an early age. Again I appreciate you so much!

REPLY
Profile picture for ch47 @ch47

Just a thought, if the tummy swelling gets worse at certain times, you might want to check for SIBO. I had it for two years before I got a diagnosis. My stomach went from normal to 8 months pregnant-looking in a hour +/- after eating, horrific and painful. Specific antibiotics and a diet change. Not less food as much as just certain food avoidance.
If your doctor doesn’t do breath testing for that, I believe you can buy a home kit.
Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much! I appreciate you caring to write to me. I will definitely ask my doctor about this and hope I get an answer to my problem. You are right it comes and goes. Just when I think I am over it that hard big pregnant stomach comes back. Interesting about the breath test. Is that what diagnosis it? Thanks again!

REPLY
Profile picture for holly1295 @holly1295

Hi,
Thank you so much for this information. I have never heard of SIBO and I will definitely ask my doctor about this. I wonder if probiotics would help. I will wait till I see my doctor and will let you know what he says. It is so hard dealing with this because the stomach is big but then sometimes it really gets to the point where it looks and feels like I am pregnant. The stomach is big and hard. I have already gone through medopause which I did at an early age. Again I appreciate you so much!

Jump to this post

You are very welcome. Pre/probiotics are a great start. Do some research on your own and ask your doctor when you see him or her. Wishing you a speedy return to health journey.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.