If you are suffering from an abnormally thick endometrium, i.e., the lining of the uterus, it means that you have a condition called endometrial hyperplasia. The lining of the uterus has too many cells, making it unusually thick. This condition can cause abnormal or heavy bleeding in women, raising the person’s chances of developing cancer of the endometrium or the uterus.
Endometrial hyperplasia treatment in Doral Beach is offered for patients who suffer from this condition. Still, proper diagnosis and consultation with a specialist are crucial to successfully dealing with this issue.
The condition discussed in today’s blog post most often develops during the menopausal phase or afterward. It is divided into four possible types, which will be elaborated on in more detail later on. What kind of hyperplasia you have depends on the number of existing abnormal cells and the type of changes that occur in those cells.
The good news regarding this condition is that it is pretty rare, occurring in 135 women out of 100,000. This said, it is essential to underline which factors influence the development of endometrial hyperplasia, so here are the most common ones:
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- Age (women older than 35 are more prone)
- Some breast cancer treatments
- Diabetes
- Late onset of menopause
- Family medical history of colon, uterine, or ovarian cancer
- Hormonal therapy
- No previous pregnancies
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- PCOS
- Issues with the thyroid gland
- Usage of medicine containing a high level of estrogen over a long period
- History of problems with the menstrual cycle, such as absent periods
- Diseases of the gallbladder
Experts say that the leading cause of endometrial hyperplasia is the irregular amount of hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body. If you have too much estrogen (estrogen dominance) or too little progesterone, you are susceptible to developing this condition. Estrogen is responsible for the growth of cells, while progesterone plays an essential role in cell shedding. When they are not balanced, the overproduction of cells can occur, which can suffer changes, making them abnormal.
Endometrial Hyperplasia Symptoms
Several signs can be important indicators that you might be suffering from this condition. If you start noticing them, it is highly advised to contact your chosen medical provider and share your issues with them, so they can react promptly and discuss potential treatment options with you.
So, the endometrial hyperplasia symptoms include the following:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Periods lasting longer than typically
- The menstrual cycle is shorter than 21 days
- Occurrence of menstrual bleeding between two periods
- Absence of the monthly period
- Uterine bleeding after menopause
Diagnosis of Endometrial Hyperplasia
The problematic side of diagnosing this condition is that abnormal bleeding can signal different kinds of reproductive health issues. To assess what is causing the bleeding, additional tests are most often done to make the most accurate diagnosis. Some of the tests which are used are:
- Transvaginal ultrasound to get images of the womb which show whether the lining is thick or not
- Endometrial biopsy, where the provider collects a sample of tissue from the uterine lining and sends it for further analysis
- Hysteroscopy is used so that the provider can look inside the uterus and check the status of the lining. During a hysteroscopy, a lighted, thin wand called a hysteroscope is used, so the doctor can see any potential abnormalities in the lining and within the cavity and take targeted biopsy samples as part of the endometrial biopsy process.
Types of Endometrial Hyperplasia
As mentioned, a person can suffer from four different kinds of hyperplasia of the endometrium, and the treatment path depends on what type of this condition you are facing.
The four types include:
- Complex endometrial hyperplasia
- Simple endometrial hyperplasia
- Complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia
- Simple atypical endometrial hyperplasia
The first two categories are also referred to as conditions without atypia. They are usually seen as benign, meaning that they can be treated with typical treatment options such as oral medication, IUDs, elimination of the condition’s cause, etc.
When it comes to atypical endometrial hyperplasia, it is seen as problematic due to its connection to endometrial cancer development, which can occur in just a few years. In these cases, the patients are advised to get a hysterectomy to stop potential cancer from progressing and spreading.
Complications
The condition discussed today, although primarily rare, can cause severe complications regarding women’s reproductive health. Firstly, it can cause anemia due to excessive heavy menstrual bleeding because the body loses red blood cells rich in iron. Also, if the atypical type of endometrial hyperplasia is not treated, the cells can become cancerous and cause endometrial or uterine cancer. This is the case for almost 30% of women suffering from this condition.
Can Endometrial Hyperplasia Be Prevented?
Unfortunately, prevention of this condition is not possible. You can take specific steps to lower the risk of developing the condition, but be aware that the best option is to discuss this topic with your chosen doctor. The steps can include the following:
- Lowering your body weight, if you are suffering from obesity
- If you are already consuming estrogen through medication, try using progestin medicine to balance out the hormonal levels and avoid estrogen dominance in the body.
- Regulate your hormones and the menstrual cycle by taking birth control or other medication.
- Quit smoking
Treatment
As mentioned, your treatment plan will largely depend on the type of endometrial hyperplasia you are suffering from. Additionally, if you are at a higher risk of developing cancer, your treatment will be directed toward preventing a cancer diagnosis. In the cases of atypical types of endometrial hyperplasia, you will be advised to undergo a hysterectomy and remove your uterus.
Unfortunately, after a type of surgery such as a hysterectomy, the patient cannot become pregnant anymore, so people sometimes try to use less invasive treatments, which include progestin. Progestin can come in different forms, such as oral therapy, vaginal cream, IUD, or injection, and it has been seen as beneficial for symptom improvements.
Endometrial hyperplasia is very treatable, so there is no need to panic. The most critical first step is finding a certified expert and discussing all the possible options with them. It is important to underline once more that if you start experiencing heavy bleeding, painful cramps, painful urination or pain during sex, pain in the pelvis, vaginal discharge of unusual color, or your monthly periods start becoming irregular; please call your doctor and schedule consultation and testing. This might save your life.
Call Us!
Timely check-ups and diagnosing conditions such as endometrial hyperplasia can be crucial for your overall health. This article serves as a base when it comes to information about the condition, but if you have any additional concerns or questions, or need advice and guidance, call our clinic. We are here for you to offer constructive advice and help you handle your condition without worry and stress. Contact us!