Thickening of the uterine wall: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia)?

Thickening of the uterine wall or endometrial hyperplasia is a disorder characterized by the addition of the lining of the uterine wall (endometrium) due to excess cell growth.

The endometrium is capable of changing during the menstrual cycle in response to hormones. During the first period of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries will produce estrogen to help the endometrium grow and thicken to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. Then at mid-cycle, an egg is released from one of the ovaries (ovulation).

After ovulation, progesterone begins to be produced by a woman's body. Progesterone prepares the endometrium to receive and nourish the fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone will decline steadily.

If progesterone continues to decrease, this will trigger menstruation or the shedding of the uterine lining. Since the lining is completely shed off, a new menstrual cycle begins.

Endometrial hyperplasia is most often caused by an excess of estrogen, not a deficiency of progesterone. If ovulation does not occur, progesterone is not produced and the lining does not shed. The endometrium can continue to develop in response to estrogen. Cells that produce layers can fuse and turn abnormal.

How common is this condition?

This condition is very common and can occur in patients of any age. Endometrial hyperplasia can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Types

What are the types of uterine wall thickening?

Quoted from Healthline, there are two main types of endometrial hyperplasia, depending on whether the condition involves unusual cells (atypia) or not. The types of uterine wall thickening are:

• Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. This type does not involve unusual cells
• Atypical endometrial hyperplasia. This type is characterized by an overgrowth of cells that are considered unusual and are considered pre-cancerous. Pre-cancer means there is a chance that cancer can turn into uterine cancer if not treated immediately

Knowing what type of uterine thickening you are experiencing helps you determine your risk of cancer and have the right treatment.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia)?

Common symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia include:

• Bleeding during menstrual periods that is heavier or longer than usual
• Menstrual cycle shorter than 21 days (starting from the first day of menstrual period until the first day of the next menstrual period)
• Any bleeding after menopause

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia)?

Reporting from the website of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, thickening of the uterine wall is most often caused by excess estrogen without progesterone. If ovulation does not occur, progesterone does not form, and the lining of the uterus does not shed.

The endometrium can continue to grow in response to estrogen. The cells that make up the layers may clump together and not become normal. This condition is known as thickening of the uterine wall and can cause cancer.

Uterine wall thickening usually occurs after menopause, when ovulation stops and progesterone doesn't build up again. This condition can also occur during perimenopause, when ovulation does not occur regularly.

The following are conditions that make a woman have high estrogen levels and not make enough progesterone:

• Use of drugs that act like the hormone estrogen
• Long-term use of high doses of estrogen after menopause
• Irregular menstrual periods, especially conditions associated with polycystic ovary syndrome or infertility
• Obesity or overweight.

Triggers

What puts me more at risk for thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia)?

There are many risk factors for this condition, namely:

• Age over 35 years
• White race
• Never been pregnant before
• Old age at menopause
• Young age when menstruation begins
• Personal history of certain conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, gallbladder disease, or thyroid disease
• Smoke
• Family history of cancer of the ovaries, colon, or uterus

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

There are various causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. If you have abnormal bleeding and are over 35 years of age, or you are younger than 35 years and the abnormal bleeding has not been resolved with treatment, your doctor can order diagnostic tests for endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

Transvaginal ultrasound may be needed to measure the thickness of the endometrium. For this test, a small device is placed on the vagina. The sound waves from the device are converted into images of the pelvic organs.

The only way to confirm cancer is to take a small sample of tissue from the endometrium and test it under a microscope. This can only be done by endometrial biopsy, dilation and curettage, or hysteroscopy.

How is thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia) treated?

• A thorough examination is necessary if a person is diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia because it is possible that hyperplasia and cancer cells are found at the same time. Treatment options will differ depending on the woman's age and the type of hyperplasia.
• In many cases, endometrial hyperplasia can be treated with progestins. Progestins are given orally, by injection, intrauterine device, or vaginal cream. How much and for how long you use it depends on your age and the type of hyperplasia. Treatment with progestins can cause vaginal bleeding such as menstrual periods.
• If you have atypical hyperplasia, especially complex atypical hyperplasia, your risk of cancer increases. A hysterectomy is usually the best treatment option if you don't plan to have more children.

Talk to your doctor about the right treatment for you. Make sure you know the pros and cons of each option before you decide.

Prevention

What can I do at home to treat and prevent thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia)?

If you are overweight, losing weight can help. The risk of uterine wall cancer can increase with the high level of obesity.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.