Thickening of the Uterine Wall: Definition, Symptoms, and Causes

Illustration (Shutterstock/YURII MASLAK)

YOGYAKARTA - Thickening of the uterine wall or endometrial hyperplasia is a condition that occurs when the uterine lining thickens abnormally and triggers bleeding disorders. If not handled properly, uterine wall thickening can increase the risk of uterine cancer.

Many women consider irregular bleeding to be normal, especially during the transition to menopause. In fact, heavy or abnormal bleeding can be a sign of a problem with the endometrium. Therefore, understanding the thickening of the uterine wall is very important for early detection.

What is Thickening of the Uterine Wall?

Dilansir dari Cleveland Clinic, Penebalan dinding rahim dikenal secara medis sebagai hiperplasia endometrium. Kondisi ini terjadi ketika lapisan rahim atau endometrium menjadi terlalu tebal akibat pertumbuhan sel yang berlebihan. Endometrium sendiri adalah jaringan yang luruh saat menstruasi dan menjadi tempat berkembangnya janin selama kehamilan.

Endometrial hyperplasia can develop into endometrial cancer or uterine cancer. This risk is especially increased in the type of endometrial hyperplasia accompanied by abnormal cell changes or atypia. Therefore, diagnosis and classification of this condition is very important to be carried out by medical personnel.

Health service providers group endometrial hyperplasia based on the changes that occur in the cells. The type without atypia has cells that look normal and a lower risk of cancer. Meanwhile, atypical endometrial hyperplasia has a higher chance of developing into cancer if left untreated.

Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia can be simple or complex type. In this condition, hormone treatment such as progestin is often effective in reducing thickening. In fact, in some cases, this condition can improve without special therapy.

Conversely, endometrial hyperplasia with atypia requires more serious treatment. Without treatment, the risk of endometrial cancer or uterine cancer will increase significantly. In women with a high risk of cancer, removal of the uterus can be one of the medical options.

Symptoms of Thickening of the Uterine Wall

The most common symptom of uterine wall thickening is abnormal menstrual bleeding. Women can experience bleeding outside the menstrual cycle or abnormal bleeding. This condition can be an early sign of endometrial hyperplasia.

In addition, the menstrual cycle can be shorter than usual, namely less than 21 days. Some women also experience amenorrhea or do not menstruate at all. These changes often occur in women who are entering the transitional period of menopause.

Bleeding after menopause is a symptom that needs to be watched out for. This condition is not considered normal and requires immediate medical examination. Early detection can help prevent more serious complications.

In some cases, endometrial hyperplasia can also cause pain. Pain can be felt in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. Some women even experience pain during sexual intercourse or dyspareunia.

However, not all women experience pain. Many cases of endometrial hyperplasia are only characterized by abnormal bleeding. Therefore, changes in menstrual patterns should not be ignored. It is recommended to immediately consult a medical professional if you experience the symptoms mentioned.

Causes of Thickening of the Uterine Wall

The main cause of thickening of the uterine wall is an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Women with this condition usually produce too much estrogen and lack progesterone. This imbalance triggers excessive endometrial growth.

In the normal cycle, estrogen serves to thicken the endometrium during ovulation. Progesterone then prepares the uterus for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels decrease and the endometrium falls as menstruation.

In endometrial hyperplasia, progesterone is not produced in sufficient quantities. As a result, the endometrium does not fall off and continues to thicken. The cells in the uterine lining also grow close together and become irregular.

This condition most often occurs in women who are approaching or have entered menopause. At this stage, ovulation often does not occur so that progesterone production decreases. This is what makes endometrial hyperplasia more common in this age group.

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