Thickening of the uterine wall is one of the abnormalities in the female reproductive system. This condition, also known as endometrial hyperplasia, can have a variety of causes, and is generally characterized by vaginal bleeding or changes in menstrual patterns.
The uterine wall or endometrium consists of two layers of tissue attached to the uterine muscles. The first layer generally does not change, while the second layer is dynamic and can change with the rise and fall of the hormone estrogen throughout the menstrual cycle.
There are times when abnormalities in the amount of hormones in the uterus cause the uterine wall to thicken abnormally and trigger certain complaints. Therefore, it is important for every woman to know the causes and symptoms of thickening of the uterine wall so that treatment can be carried out immediately.
Causes of thickening of the uterine wall
The menstrual cycle is influenced by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. At the time of ovulation, the ovaries or ovaries will release eggs and estrogen. If fertilization occurs, this hormone will make the uterine wall thicken and full of blood vessels making it ideal for the future fetus (embryo) to grow.
However, when there is no fertilization of the egg by the sperm, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body will decrease. The unfertilized egg will also come out with blood from the vagina during menstruation. This will make the uterine wall thin again until the next ovulation period.
When the amount of the hormone estrogen in a woman's body is too high, while the hormone progesterone is too low, this condition can cause the uterine wall to thicken abnormally. The condition of the thickening of the uterine wall due to hormonal abnormalities is called endometrial hyperplasia.
There are several factors that can increase a woman's risk for endometrial hyperplasia, including:
- Age over 35 years old
- Family history of uterine cancer or ovarian cancer
- Hormonal changes before menopause (premenopause) or during menopause
- Side effects of estrogen hormone therapy
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Reproductive organ disorders, such as infertility or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Overweight or obesity
- Certain diseases, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or gallbladder disease
- Smoking habit
Various Symptoms of Thickening of the Wall of the uterus
Thickening of the uterine wall may not cause any symptoms or complaints. However, some women with this condition may experience some symptoms which include:
- Menstrual period lasts longer
- The amount of blood that comes out during menstruation is more than usual
- Irregular menstrual cycle, for example the distance between last month's cycle and this month is less than 21 days
- Bleeding from the vagina even after menopause
The signs and symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia can sometimes mimic the symptoms of other diseases, such as endometriosis and uterine cancer. Therefore, you need to see a doctor so that the cause can be identified and appropriate treatment can be carried out.
How to overcome uterine wall thickening
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform a physical examination and several supporting tests, such as blood tests, transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, and uterine wall biopsy through a curette.
After that, the doctor will take action according to the cause of the thickening of the uterine wall that you are experiencing. The following are some of the steps that doctors generally prescribe:
Progesterone hormone therapy
Thickening of the uterine wall generally occurs due to a lack of the hormone progesterone. Therefore, doctors can provide progesterone hormone therapy through progesterone birth control pills, IUDs containing the hormone progesterone, or hormone injections.
Surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)
This method is generally used when hormone therapy is not successful in treating the thickening of the uterine lining or if endometrial hyperplasia is suspected due to the growth of uterine cancer cells.
The hysterectomy method can also be an option to treat the thickening of the uterine lining in postmenopausal women.
Thickening of the uterine lining is not a dangerous condition and is generally curable. However, as mentioned earlier, the symptoms of this condition can sometimes resemble other dangerous diseases.
Therefore, if you experience symptoms of thickening of the uterine lining, such as irregular menstrual cycles, heavier menstrual bleeding than usual, or vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should immediately consult a doctor for proper examination and treatment.