How does thick uterine lining affect conception?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Phuong - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital
The thickness of a woman's uterine lining changes with the phases of her menstrual cycle. The ideal endometrial thickness for conception is between 8 and 10 mm. When the uterine lining is thicker than normal, it will cause many problems for conception.

1. What is the uterine lining?

The endometrium, or endometrium, is a layer of tissue that covers the inside of the uterus. This mucosal layer plays an extremely important role in the conception and pregnancy of every woman.
Female sex hormones cause the lining of the uterus to thicken depending on the specific time of the menstrual cycle. Thickening of the lining of the uterus is a sign that the "laying" is ready for a fertilized egg to implant during each menstrual cycle. If fertilization does not occur, this mucosal layer will be peeled off and pushed out of the body, causing menstruation in women.
The lining of the uterus is composed of 2 parts:
The basal endometrial tissue layer (the basal layer): includes stromal cells and columnar epithelium, which does not change with the menstrual cycle. Endometrial layer (shallow layer): Being affected by many menstrual cycles, the thickness of this layer will change with each phase of menstruation.

2. How does thick uterine lining affect conception?

The lining of the uterus is normal when it reaches specific dimensions in each phase of the menstrual cycle:
The first phase of the cycle begins after the menstrual period: the uterine lining is usually 3-4mm. Mid-cycle (around the time of ovulation): the lining of the uterus is usually 8-12mm. The period of preparation for menstruation: The last day of the cycle, before menstruation, the uterine lining is usually 12-16mm. Women with normal uterine lining are more likely to have a successful pregnancy than those with too thick or thin uterine lining.
There are a few cases of female patients who have been married for many years and still have not become pregnant, when they were examined, the uterine lining was found to be thicker than 20mm. The question here is why is the thick uterine lining difficult to conceive? And is this problem treatable?
Whether the uterine lining is too thick or too thin compared to normal, it also affects the ability to conceive in women. The uterus is the ideal place for the fertilized egg to attach to implant and develop. When the uterine lining thickens due to endometrial hyperplasia - when estrogen levels in the body are overproduced, the lining of the uterus grows much thicker than normal.

In the middle of the menstrual cycle, if the uterine lining is thicker than 20mm, it is considered thick. The uterine lining is too thick, making it more difficult for the embryo to stick to the implant, and the nutritional supply for the developing fetus will not be guaranteed. When the uterine lining is thickened, it means that at this time, the estrogen level in the body is being increased and the excess leads to amenorrhea or menorrhagia, or leads to polycystic ovaries, ovulation disorders. ovum... interferes with the implantation process of the embryo, reducing the ability to become pregnant in women. Even when the lining is too thick, the endometrial layer is overproliferated, if not treated in time, this can increase the risk of uterine tumors or even cancer. Therefore, we must not be subjective with this issue.
Some symptoms of thickened uterine lining:
There is bleeding during menstruation that is heavier than usual, the number of menstrual days is longer. Menstrual cycle is short, usually less than 21 days. There are signs of bleeding after menopause.

3. Expert advice

Thick endometrial lining, if detected early, can be treated, providing a chance to become a mother for those who have it. The first important thing you need to do is to see a specialist to be examined and accurately diagnosed on the actual condition of the uterine lining for appropriate and timely treatment.
Most cases with thick uterine lining are prescribed hormone therapy to re-establish the balance between estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, thereby improving thickening. endothelium, increasing fertility.
Notes on living regimen for people with thick uterine lining:
If you are overweight, the establishment of a scientific diet, physical exercise, and a plan to lose weight weight, this will be very useful for preventing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. When you have signs of irregular periods, you should consult with your doctor, a specialist in the use of drugs containing estrogen and progestin or not to ensure that this does not make this condition worse. rather than using the wrong drug. For women who are taking estrogen after menopause, it is advisable to consult a progestin or progesterone supplement. In some cases, when examining the uterine lining, it is necessary to note the differential diagnosis with thickening of the endometrial layer during the premenstrual period. Thick uterine lining greatly affects a woman's ability to conceive. The advice is that women should not self-diagnose about the condition of their uterine lining, which leads to unnecessary worries and self-pressure. Through images and indicators on ultrasound, doctors can accurately diagnose whether the thickness of the uterine lining is normal or abnormal. Consult your doctor to learn more about the necessary tests for diagnosis and specific advice on appropriate treatment. Psychological relaxation and following the doctor's prescription is one of the effective ways to help women have children early in their lives.

Vinmec International General Hospital is currently providing a Gynecological Examination and Screening Package, helping women to detect early inflammatory diseases and gynecological cancers (cervical cancer), including abnormal usually the lining of the uterus. Vinmec brings together a team of leading obstetricians and gynecologists, modern medical equipment, professional service quality to bring satisfaction to customers when visiting here.

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