In a Facebook post from 2007 that’s recently resurfaced, account Apples and Ovaries (via the Jocelyn Centre in Sydney) used two ‘life-sized replicas’ to compare a regular uterus to one mid-flow.
The small, pear-shape represents a non-menstruating uterus, while the darker one (which kinda looks like a water-balloon) is almost double in size.
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“This is why we feel so heavy at the beginning of our bleed,” the caption reads. “Why it can feel like our uterus is about to drop out and hit the pavement (or is that just me?). And why we need to take things slooooooow.”
The snap has been shared more than 29,000 times, many women totally amazed at what their body goes through each month.
“Shook,” one wrote.
“No wonder PMS sucks the life out of me and I’m still recovering days later,” added another.
On the other hand, some experts warn that the pic may not be totally accurate.
“The true size of the uterus for a woman who has never been pregnant is much more like the smaller one. I have no idea what they are showing in the larger uterus. Yes, the uterus is a bit fuller during the menstrual cycle, but not like the bigger ‘pear’—or whatever they are demonstrating,” ob-gyn Dr Mary Jane Minkin told Women’s Health.
While your uterus can change depending on life circumstance (i.e. childbirth and masses like fibroids,) Minkin stresses that it won’t “go from the two sizes demonstrated in the picture during one menstrual cycle.”
Gynaecologist Dr Alyssa Dweck concurred, adding that the research on how our uterine growth changes towards the end of the menstrual cycle was limited.
“Those exact measurements (of each model and of their relationship to each other) depicted in the picture may not be accurate and the message should be taken in context,” she told Women’s Health.
So, there you have it. It might be cool to marvel at the magic of the human body but it’s always best skip social media when it comes to *actual* medical advice.
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