A woman's body undergoes many changes during each month of pregnancy. One of the important changes is the change in endometrium thickness in pregnancy. It changes every month and is one of the important parameters assessed during ultrasound scans. The endometrium thickness during pregnancy is often used to determine any issues in pregnancy and also can be the major cause of any abnormal bleeding when a woman is pregnant. Read below to know what endometrium thickness in pregnancy is and its symptoms and treatment:
The endometrium thickness in pregnancy is an essential factor. But what is endometrium? The uterus is one of the important reproductive organs in the body and is an organ where the size changes every month during a woman's fertile years. The inner lining where the embryo implantation happens is called the endometrium. It is made of two layers, the stratum functionals and the stratum basalis and is made of mucosal tissue. Between these two layers, the stratum basalis is connected to the uterus’s smooth muscle and is known as the myometrium. It acts as an anchor to the endometrium of the uterus and remains relatively unchanged. But the other layer changes dynamically to monthly hormones and helps the menstrual cycle. The endometrial thickness decreases or increases during this time. Due to this, it is called stratum functionals, as it is a functional layer. The hormones progesterone and estrogen cause endometrial growth. These shed the endometrium by menstruation if the woman does not get pregnant. If the woman conceives, the fertilized egg will implant in this area of the endometrium.
The normal endometrium thickness changes throughout the life of a woman. The normal endometrium thickness in pregnancy is different from that of a young girl who has not started her menstrual cycle. It becomes thicker as the woman grows older. Also, during periods the endometrium is at the thinnest and is between 2mm to 4 mm in thickness.
After about 6 to 14 days of the menstrual cycle and before ovulation, the endometrium gets thicker and is between 5 to 7 mm. As the female cycle progresses and reaches ovulation, it
can measure up to 11mm. After about 14 days, when the hormones release eggs, the thickness is at its maximum and can be around 16mm.
A normal endometrial thickness for pregnancy is linked to having a full-time and normal pregnancy. That means there is a normal endometrial thickness for pregnancy and it is neither too thin nor too thick. A normal endometrium helps the embryo gets implanted and also gets the nutrition it needs to grow. The endometrium thickness in pregnancy thickens during the later phase of pregnancy. The normal endometrial thickness for pregnancy is around 8 to 15 mm. If the endometrium size for pregnancy is less than 8, it can be an unsuccessful outcome.
The endometrium thickness in pregnancy is different from other stages of life like there are changes during a woman's menstrual cycle. But there are other reasons too for this to happen. One of them is endometrium thickness in pregnancy is high during this period. Other factors that cause endometrium thickness in pregnancy include chronic blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, endometrial hyperplasia, etc.
Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition in which the endometrium size for pregnancy is too big. This is related to increased levels of estrogen and reduced levels of progesterone. If left untreated, it can become a reason for cancer. Typically, endometrial thickness reduces with age and women over the age of 45 years have a thin endometrium. It can be due to the nature of the body structure, medical treatment or inflammation.
The symptoms of abnormal endometrium thickness include:
It is best to visit a doctor if you have pelvic pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding.
The most common way to diagnose an endometrium thickness in pregnancy is through an ultrasound. It is suggested for women who go to doctors with unusual vaginal bleeding. But in some women, an ultrasound may not be ideal because of certain health conditions or due to the position of the uterus. For those women, an MRI is an alternative method. The endometrium thickness in pregnancy appears as a dark line on the ultrasound or the MRI
and is called the endometrial stripe. The endometrium thickness in pregnancy and appearance changes depending on how long the woman is pregnant or what stage she is in the menstrual cycle.
The treatment for abnormal endometrium depends on the cause. There are many reasons the abnormality should be treated. The endometrium thickness in pregnancy is important, but its abnormality causes many other health problems. So it is important to get it treated. The general treatment options include prescribing oral progesterone therapy. Progesterone is a hormone that prevents hysterectomy and ovulation. If the endometrial thickness in pregnancy is low, then it becomes difficult for the pregnancy to progress. Thus, it has to be treated with immediate effect, which may include medication, supplements for better blood circulation, estrogen oral prescription or external injection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin that is produced by the placenta after the embryo is implanted.
Pay close attention to the endometrium thickness in pregnancy, as it can have an impact on the outcome. Also, endometrial thickness places an important role in getting pregnant. But changes in thickness are common throughout the life of a woman. But if there is abnormal bleeding, pain in the pelvis, discharge or other changes in the body. Consult a doctor as the endometrium thickness in pregnancy gives a better chance of conception.
The endometrium thickness in pregnancy determines the chances of having a healthy and full-term pregnancy. Having a normal endometrium thickness helps in the successful implantation of the embryo and a normal endometrium size for pregnancy is about 8 to 14 mm.
A 16mm endometrial thickness means that you have a greater chance of getting pregnant and also a better chance of a full-term and healthy pregnancy.
Endometrium size for pregnancy is an important factor. There is a connection between a healthy pregnancy and endometrium thickness. If it is too thick or thin, the embryo does not implant successfully, careful thickness monitoring ensures that the pregnancy progresses appropriately.
