This is an automatically translated article.
The article is professionally consulted by Resident Doctor, Master Nguyen Thi Tam - Clinician - Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.Thickness of the uterine lining can be a physiological sign in pregnant women, but in women of reproductive age, if the uterine lining is too thick, it can lead to difficulty conceiving.
1. What is thick uterine lining?
The lining of the uterus is a layer of cells lining the inside of the uterus, which is soft and spongy. Endometrial thickness varies with age and menstrual cycle.Before puberty and after menopause, the uterine lining is thin, during the reproductive years, the uterine lining changes with the menstrual cycle and thickens during pregnancy.
After menstruation, the lining of the uterus remains a thin layer, this is when the uterine lining is at its thinnest. Under the influence of estrogen, epithelial cells proliferate rapidly, the mucosa gradually thickens, blood vessels develop strongly, the glands of the cervix secrete a layer of mucus to facilitate sperm movement into the uterus. bow. The uterine lining is about 12-15mm thick in the middle and end of the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus at this stage proliferates waiting for the implantation of the fertilized egg. If conception occurs, the uterine lining continues to proliferate to nourish the fetus, if no conception occurs, the uterine lining will shed and cause menstruation.
When the uterine lining is over 20mm but not pregnant, it is called endometrial hyperplasia or thickened uterine lining.
2. Causes of thick uterine lining
The main cause of thickened uterine lining is an imbalance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This condition is caused by:Excessive estrogen production in the body or using estrogen sources. exogenous stimulation of the uterine lining to thicken. Being overweight or obese is one of the risk factors for thickening of the uterine lining. Having polycystic ovary disease Due to the continuous use of estrogen-containing drugs without progesterone. The body lacks the hormone progesterone. Common signs of thickening of the uterine lining:
Thickening of the uterine lining causes prolonged bleeding called menorrhagia (menstruation lasts more than 7 days) or hypermenorrhea (a heavy menstrual flow). over 80ml per menstrual cycle). Thick uterine lining in women of reproductive age can delay pregnancy by hindering conception, in postmenopausal women thick uterine lining (>5mm) is a dangerous sign that needs screening treatment. endometrial cancer risk.
3. How to overcome thick uterine lining
The treatment of thick uterine lining depends on each subject:In women of childbearing age, the main cause is an imbalance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone, the doctor will prescribe treatment by using hormones to re-establish the balance between these two hormones in the body, thereby increasing the possibility of pregnancy. For people who have gone through menopause, an abnormally thick uterine lining is a warning sign of the risk of endometrial cancer. The doctor will order a biopsy of the lining of the uterus to do a pathological examination to see if there are abnormal cells. In addition to drug treatment or gynecological intervention, the application of a diet and exercise regimen can be helpful in improving the thickening of the uterine lining.
Limit the intake of red meat and animal fats because they increase the risk of hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. Limit foods rich in vitamin C, some foods rich in vitamin C such as guava, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, ... Limit foods high in vitamin E, vitamin E is found in nuts such as almonds , sunflower seeds... Limit soy products such as soy milk, tofu... Because soybean has a structure and effect similar to estrogen. Cut down on foods that are high in sugar because it can lead to hormonal imbalances. One note is that the foods are limited but not completely abstained to ensure that they still provide enough diverse nutrients for the body. Exercise regime: Should exercise regularly, reasonable sports such as walking, swimming, yoga ... Regular exercise can reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, estrogen is the leading cause of obesity. thickened uterine lining. In addition, reasonable exercise also helps limit overweight and obesity or helps to lose weight in overweight people, which is a risk factor for thick uterine lining. Balance time between rest and work; Avoid staying up late and get enough sleep to help the body secrete hormone balance for the body. In addition, after treatment and combined with a reasonable diet, it is necessary to re-examine and monitor the condition of the thickened uterine lining. To overcome the thickening of the uterine lining, it is necessary to re-establish the hormonal imbalance with drugs and a living diet. Because this condition can lead to difficulty conceiving, women who have signs of suspicion of the disease need to visit a medical facility for advice and early treatment.
Vinmec International General Hospital provides female customers with a package of gynecological examination and screening. This examination package helps customers to detect inflammatory diseases early, thereby treating the disease easily and inexpensively. At the same time, Vinmec's gynecological examination service package also helps screen and detect cervical cancer early.
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