Index
The thickened endometrium or endometrial hyperplasia is characterized by a very thick (thick) uterine lining. The condition of a thickened endometrium causes hemorrhage that leads to an increase in the production of estrogen in the body, irregular menstruation and a drop in progesterone levels.
Endometrial hyperplasia is also known as non-cancerous pathology that can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. See the types of Endometrial Hyperplasia in the table below:
| Simple Endometrial Hyperplasia | This is the homogeneous thickening of the endometrial tissue |
| Focal Hyperplasia of the Endometrium | It is characterized by the exposure of polyps outside the uterine cavity and by a slight narrowing of the size of the uterus. |
| Endometrial Cystic Hyperplasia | It is characterized by the irregular aspect of the uterus (irregular cavities that resemble ‘Swiss cheese’), in more severe cases, this condition may be associated with cancer of the endometrium. |
| Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia | This is a more serious endometrial injury condition that is usually associated with endometrial cancer and requires removal of the uterus as a treatment. |
Features of Endometrial Thickening
The hormone estrogen is closely linked to the construction of the lining of the uterus, but the balance in the growth of this lining depends on the progesterone, in case of progesterone production below normal , the endometrium thickens and there are some problems that can trigger the imbalance in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Causes
The main causes are:
- Diabetes problem
- Some type of therapy that involves estrogen without progesterone replacement
- Being overweight, verging on obesity
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Symptoms
The thickening is expressed through signs such as:
- Vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles (escape)
- Pain in the abdomen and cramps
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Vaginal dryness
- Hair growth
- Heat waves
- Changes in mood
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Increased heart rate
- Increased uterus size
Thickened and Heterogeneous Endometrium
Endometrial cancer or carcinoma is the most common type of gynecological neoplasia in developed countries, but today, thanks to technology, it is possible to detect the problem early and start treatment promptly, therefore, this problem is not one of the main causes of cancer death.
A thickened and heterogeneous endometrium is usually characterized by thickening of more than 5 mm and the heterogeneity (or irregularities) is usually the result of pathologies in evidence.
Thickened Endometrium in Menopause
According to the research Transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of endometrial pathologies in menacme and menopause , endometrial thickening is characterized by an endometrium of 5 mm or more in ultrasound of women in menopause , who have not undergone hormone therapy.
After menopause, in an endometrial assessment, a number of factors are taken into account such as the patient’s medical history and whether there has been hormone therapy. The thickened endometrium at menopause may appear soon after the first year after the last menstrual cycle , just as a normal endometrium may appear considerably thicker than years after menopause , due to fluctuating levels of estrogen.
In cases of women undergoing hormonal therapy combined with cyclic therapy involving estrogen and progestin, the endometrial thickness may vary by up to 3 mm, the endometrium may be thicker before and thinner after progestin administration.
Treatment
The thickened endometrium or endometrial hyperplasia is usually treated by administering contraceptive drugs that contain the hormone progesterone. There are more extreme cases that require hysterectomy (a procedure that involves removing parts of the uterus or the entire uterus). Hyperplasia if not detected and treated early can lead to cancer culminating in the organ removal procedure.
Is Pregnancy Possible in Endometriosis Cases?
Yes, it is possible to become pregnant , but this will require the woman and her partner to wait until the treatment is completed according to all the steps that it requires. The administration of contraceptives becomes essential in the treatment, so it is important that the woman control the anxiety in relation to the desire for motherhood, follow the appropriate treatment and most importantly, that she does not see the treatment as an impediment to the dream of becoming a mother.
Treatment is what will restore health and conditions to even have a peaceful and happy pregnancy. In case of any abnormal symptoms, see your doctor to order the appropriate tests. Early detection of the problem prevents more serious ills.
If you are trying to get pregnant and want to do a more detailed monitoring of your cycle and your ovulation, a great way to give a little extra strength is to use a cell cycle monitoring APP like the APP Paula and use ovulation tests that will indicate if ovulation is approaching, if it is happening or has already ended, indicating when is the right time to date and get your positive faster. You can buy your ovulation test here in our online store.
Photo: BruceBlaus
See also: Endometrium and Pregnancy – Perfect Wedding
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
