Although I am not overweight in general my abdomen looks like I am pregnant. I am 81 yrs of age. I am worried I may have cervical cancer although this has been ruled out in the past.
While cervical cancer has been ruled out for you in the past and does not typically present as isolated, severe abdominal swelling, a new visible change in your abdominal shape, especially when you are not overweight, should be checked out by your GP. A "pregnant-looking" abdomen is not a standard presentation for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer typically presents with symptoms such as unusual vaginal bleeding, post-menopausal spotting, or abnormal vaginal discharge.
When a distended abdomen occurs in an older adult who has not gained overall body weight, doctors generally look for causes related to fluid, the digestive tract, or other pelvic organs. Your GP will likely investigate the following possibilities, such as, conditions affecting the ovaries or uterine lining can cause fluid retention or structural changes in the pelvis, which frequently present as persistent bloating or a visibly swollen lower abdomen. They may suggest blood tests or an ultrasound scan to check this out. They would want to check for common medical conditions, such as those explained below, as well as checks for cancer.
A GP may check for ascites which is a buildup of fluid in the space surrounding your abdominal organs. It can make the stomach look round and firm, resembling pregnancy, and is often tied to liver, heart, or kidney function. Other causes include, as we age, the digestive tract naturally slows down. Chronic constipation, severe trapped gas, or conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can cause significant, visible abdominal distension. Over time, natural loss of core muscle mass (sarcopenia) combined with altered posture can cause the abdominal organs to push forward, creating a rounded look even without extra weight, due to abdominal muscle weakness.
