What is a common finding in patients with uterine fibroids during a pelvic examination?

In patients with uterine fibroids, a common finding during a pelvic examination is an irregularly-shaped uterus. Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are benign tumors that develop within the muscle tissue of the uterus. As these fibroids grow, they can distort the normal contour of the uterus, leading to an irregular shape that can be detected through palpation during a pelvic examination.

The irregularity may be due to the presence of multiple fibroids of varying sizes, or it could result from a particularly large fibroid that significantly alters the uterine outline. Health care providers often notice this irregularity, especially if the fibroids are substantial enough to create palpable masses. Detecting an irregularly shaped uterus is a key indicator that may lead to further imaging studies, such as ultrasound, to confirm the diagnosis of fibroids and assess their size and number.

Other findings, like a normal-sized uterus or cystic masses, are less characteristic of uterine fibroids. While chronic pelvic pain can be associated with fibroids, it is not a definitive physical exam finding and can occur in various other conditions. Therefore, the presence of an irregularly-shaped uterus is the most indicative physical finding associated with uterine fibroids.