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The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. It is one of the few organs in the human body that changes in size every month throughout a person’s fertile years.
Each month, as part of the menstrual cycle, the body prepares the endometrium to host an embryo. Endometrial thickness increases and decreases during the process.
Two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, prompt these cycles of endometrial growth and its shedding through menstruation if a pregnancy does not develop.
In this article, we look at the normal range for endometrial thickness, causes of changes, and when to see a doctor.
The normal thickness of the endometrium changes throughout a person’s life, from childhood, through to sexual maturity, fertile years, and after menopause.
In imaging tests of young females who have not yet begun menstruating, the endometrium is present but smaller than it will be later in life.
According to the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the endometrium is at its thinnest during menstruation, when it usually measures between 2–4 millimeters (mm) in thickness.
The first half of the proliferative phase starts around day 6 to 14 of a person’s cycle, or the time between the end of one menstrual cycle, when bleeding stops, and before ovulation. At this phase, the endometrium begins to thicken and may measure between 5–7 mm.
As the cycle progresses and moves towards ovulation, the endometrium grows thicker, up to about 11 mm.
About 14 days into a person’s cycle, hormones trigger the release of an egg. During this secretory phase, endometrial thickness is at its greatest and can reach 16 mm.
Pregnancy
Endometrial thickness is important in pregnancy. Healthcare experts link the best chances for a healthy, full-term pregnancy to an endometrium that is neither too thin nor too thick. This allows the embryo to implant successfully and receive the nutrition it needs. The endometrium gets thicker as the pregnancy progresses.
Menopause
The RSNA also state that in healthy postmenopausal people, the endometrium typically measures about 5 mm or less.
Ultrasound is the most common way to measure the thickness of the endometrium. It is the method that healthcare providers use first, especially if an individual has reported abnormal vaginal bleeding.
When ultrasound is not suitable, often due to the position of a person’s uterus or other health conditions, doctors use MRI.
The thickness of the endometrium changes during a person’s menstrual cycle, but other factors can prompt changes as well.
One of the more common causes of changes in endometrial thickness is pregnancy. Women who are having an ectopic pregnancy or who are less than 5 weeks pregnant may show signs of a thickening endometrium.
Cancer of the endometrium or the ovaries is one of the most severe conditions that can lead to an increase in endometrial thickness. According to the American Cancer Society, endometrial cancer is the most common cancer affecting a person’s reproductive systems. Developing more often in white people than African American people, endometrial cancer is rare in females under 45. The average age at diagnosis is 60.
Other factors contributing to a greater thickness of the endometrium include:
Endometrial hyperplasia is the medical term for a condition in which the endometrium becomes too thick. This is often related to excessive levels of estrogen or estrogen-like compounds, and not enough progesterone. The condition itself is not cancer, but it can lead to the development of cancer.
It is also possible for the endometrium to be too thin. Researchers define a thin endometrium as
Possible causes of a thin endometrium include inflammation, medical treatment, or the structure and nature of the endometrium itself.
The most common signs of excessive endometrial thickness include:
Treatments for excessive endometrial thickness include progestin, a female hormone that prevents ovulation and hysterectomy.
- estrogen
- human chorionic gonadotrophin, which is a hormone that the placenta produces after an embryo implants in the uterus wall
- medications and supplements used to improve blood flow
However,
People should see their doctors if they notice abnormal vaginal bleeding, which can include:
- spotting between period
- unusually heavy flows
- irregular, short blood flows
- vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause
People experiencing pelvic pain of unknown origin should see a doctor for evaluation and to rule out endometrial cancer. Other symptoms to watch out for are bloating and a feeling of fullness without eating much.
Paying attention to endometrial thickness can help women who are trying to become pregnant understand the best way to optimize their chances of successful conception.
Changes in endometrial thickness are common throughout a person’s life. However, if someone notices abnormal bleeding, discharge, pelvic pain, or other changes in the way their body feels, they should consult a doctor to receive proper treatment.
Endometrial cancer is one of the most severe health problems that can occur if a person’s endometrium is too thick. However, endometrial cancer has a good survival rate if diagnosed early.
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