Normal endometrial thickness with menopause

Endometrium is called the inner mucous membrane lining the body of the uterus, which is a multi-component system, rich in blood vessels. It is constantly updated and is very sensitive to changes in hormonal levels of the body, especially during menopause.

When menopause layer usually decreases, thinner. In this case we speak of normal endometrial involution. However, if during menopause hormonal balance is disturbed, it will also affect the state of the endometrium. Are often various pathological conditions, such as endometrial hyperplasia when its thickness increases

Climax and its phases

Menopause - a period of life of the organism, which is characterized by an involution of the reproductive system, which is associated with aging. Women after menopause lose the ability to have children, they stop menstruating. This is due to the depletion of the follicular apparatus of the ovaries. Typically, menopause normally occurs in about 50 years. About early menopause say when it began to 45 years. Late menopause begins after the 55.

If menses ended before 40 - it is called the syndrome of early ovarian failure, which is considered a pathological version of menopause.

During menopause the ovaries stop synthesize estrogen hormones, and therefore violated the work of many agencies that have receptors for it. These include nervous and urinary systems, mammary glands, skin and even bone. Allocate periods menopause.

1. Premenopausal women.
2. Menopause.
3. Postmenopausal women.

In the first stage become irregular menstrual cycles, changes their frequency, and duration. When comparing them, you may find that the adjacent loops differ by seven days or more. This situation occurs at menopause within 10 cycles of the first elongated cycle.

At the last stage of menstruation stops, comes amenorrhea phase, which lasts more than three months. It marks the beginning of the period of menopause. At this time increases in blood levels of FSH (greater than 25 IU / l). Menopause usually last for several years, after which begins early postmenopause (5-8 years), and then - late postmenopause.

What is the endometrium

The endometrium is a complex structure. Normally, it consists of two layers - the main sprout (basal) and functional glandular. He also has a very rich blood supply, rich in blood vessels.

In normal epithelial structures are formed of ciliated and secretory cells. The stroma consists of fibroblast-like cells that differentiate during the menstrual cycle and begin to synthesize collagen and extracellular structure, ensuring the integrity of the stroma. It also has numerous glands (crypts), which open into the uterine lumen.

Normally, during the premenstrual phase of the amount of iron increases, thickened endometrium is amplified and its blood supply. It is necessary for the further implantation of the embryo. In pregnancy, the number of glands and blood vessels considerably increases, which provides power fetus and placenta development. If pregnancy does not occur, the functional portion of the sheath is separated and removed during menstruation.

In the early stages of proliferation was homogeneous, has a low echogenicity, its thickness, on average, ranges from 3 to 6 mm. 8-10 day cycle in the late phase of proliferation, the functional layer begins to thicken, maintains the uniformity of the structure. Endometrial thickness in this case is normally 5-10 mm. By the end of the second week ends during the late proliferation.

The mucosa continues to thicken, gaining increased echogenicity. Thickness in this period is 8-13 mm. After that comes the stage of early secretion. Tissue growth slows down, he becomes inhomogeneous echogenicity - more pronounced in the center, and less - on the periphery. Endometrial thickness - 10-14 mm. During late mucous secretion begins to decrease in size (10-12 mm.), It maintains a high echogenicity.

Age-related changes in endometrial thickness

In children before puberty endometrium is in a "dormant". Its thickness is negligible. But even then it is divided into functionally active and the basal layer. After the onset of menses in the rate of endometrial thickness is increased, it begins to thicken and cyclically torn away. Final involution it normally occurs during menopause.

With age, the amount of hormones that are produced by the ovaries decreases, menopause begins. This rate of aging. Because endometrial thickness depends on the level of hormone stimulation, it starts to atrophy and thinning. Also reduced dimensions of the uterus and its muscular wall. The endometrium in the menopause becomes looser and thin, reducing the amount glands atrophy occurs them. As a result, over time, the uterus may appear adhesions and adhesions, which are deviations from the norm, which may complicate the course of menopause.

Normal endometrial thickness during menopause

The thickness of the endometrium begins to decline shortly before menopause. Normally, after the adjustment of the organism in menopause, endometrial thickness is 4-5 mm, according to ultrasound.

This is due to a decrease in estrogen stimulation its growth. Typically, the duration of the involution period is 3 to 5 years. If after that endometrial thickness exceeds the rate of these indicators - talking about his hyperplasia. This is the most common disorder.

Excessive atrophy, on the contrary, develops much less often. Also in the early stages of menopause may appear excessive menstrual bleeding. This is due to the fact that excessive hypertrophy of the mucous membrane may briefly occur at this time. This happens due to hormonal imbalance.

Causes and symptoms of changes in endometrial thickness in postmenopausal

The growth of endometrial estrogen advantageously provided. In some of the patients at the time of menopause, there is an increase in estrogen levels due to certain conditions.

This leads to the proliferation of mucosal tissue. Possible penetration of endometrial cells to other layers of the uterus, resulting in adenomyosis.

Hypertrophy may provoke uterine fibroids, ovarian dysfunction, their tumor or polycystic, endometriosis and venereal diseases.

In some patients this condition develops as a result of misuse of hormonal contraceptives.

It is also important factors affecting the ovaries function and general hormonal background:

• smoking;
• alcohol woman;
• diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance;
• metabolic syndrome, obesity;
• pathology of the liver;
• hypertonic disease;
• impaired renal function;
• diseases of the pancreas, adrenals;
• autoimmune disorders.

Statistically, the hypertrophy of the endometrium after menopause occurs in 20% of the female population, and the prevalence of disease is growing slowly. This is due to environmental conditions, mainly sedentary urban population, the prevalence of bad habits.

Women during menopause often complains of pain in the lower abdomen, pain during menstruation (if they are not stopped), pain during urination or intercourse. In the period between periods may experience spotting. Sometimes there are pronounced uterine bleeding. Therefore, the appearance of these symptoms during menopause should consult a doctor.

Ultrasound and other diagnostic methods

Examination of patients with endometrial hyperplasia begins with anamnesis and gynecological examination in mirrors. After that, a decision on the appointment of additional methods of examination. Very informative, as well as safe and comfortable is a pelvic ultrasound. With it, the doctor is able to determine the thickness of the layer, its echogenicity and structural features.

To find out hyperplasia type and nature of growth, it is necessary to take a biopsy of the endometrium. Used as the method of hysteroscopy - inspection of the interior of the uterus by a special device by which it is also possible to carry out sampling of biological samples. It may also be useful in the biochemical analysis of blood and determining the level of hormones.

Methods of treating endometrial thickness changes

When choosing treatment strategies doctors take into account the age of the patient, its history, the severity of clinical symptoms, the type of the disease and the type of hyperplasia. That is why a thorough diagnosis should be carried out before prescribing treatment. As a rule, the treatment has two stages - endometrial ablation, and further medical treatment, which is aimed at restoring the norms of the hormonal balance and reduced risk of recurrence. Women in menopause often shown removed and the basal layer of the germ to the endometrium does not grow.

They use a variety of techniques. Removal sprout layer applied ablation. If you want to eliminate the hyperplasia of the functional layer - apply curettage.

Surgical intervention to remove the hypertrophied mucous called curettage. The procedure must be conducted in a hospital under general anesthesia.

Postoperatively appointed antibiotics to prevent infection.