Thickened endometrium?

Hi everyone! How thick is considered within the normal range for an endometrial lining? I had an ultrasound (transvaginal) because of heavy prolonged bleeding. I am 50, and have been very irregular for a long time. Anyway, the ultrasound showed a lining of 6mm, which my gyn's office said was "greatly thickened" and now I need a endometrial biopsy next week. I also had FSH done, which is 37. They feel I am in menopause, due to the one-time FSH. I don't think I am there yet, but realize I am fast approaching. What other info can they get from a biopsy other than cancer/not cancer? Can they tell if it is an estrogen dominance issue? Thank for your input!!

Hi,

I don't know what normal is, but my last ultra sound measured a 6mm endometrium. I'm nearly 56 with periods each month, 4 fibroids and all kinds of bleeding. I've had 3 endo biopsies. The biopsy can show atypia, hyperplasia, malignancy, chronic endometritis or polyp formation. It shows post or pre ovulatory days as the endometrium also has glands.
My third biopsy was uncomfortable as opposed to the 2 prior.
I was always concerned about the biopsy getting a sample at 1:00 and missing a maligant cell at 5:00. Doctor said the latest instrument gets many samples at one time from all areas of the endometrium.
My last results read: "Disordered proliferative endometrium compatible with unopposed estrogen effect in a perimenopausal female." Hello.............not sure what this means!
Now I've been diagnosised with adenomyosis. A glandular derangement of the muscle of the uterus. Otherwords; the muscle wall of the uterus is invaded by tissue from the lining.
Let us know your test results. You might take motrin/tylenol before the proceedure which doesn't take long at all.
Maralyn

Hi mrsc

When I had an ultrasound done last year (Iwas 48) my lining was 9mm and the doctors were not greatly concerned. I did however get Mirena fitted that reduced the lining to 3mms after 12 months. I also had a d&c which reduced the lining. It was caused because of estrogen dominance (ie not enough progesterone - which the Mirena addressed)

Maralyn, again it seems that the ultrasound suggests estrogen dominance which seems to be 'popular' just before menopause. Adenomyosis is someting different again. What did your Drs do about this?

Hi aussieone and mrsc133,

I have no idea what a Mirena is. Worn internally? It sure did help you. Wow, maybe an idea for mrsc133.
Doctor said it's doubtful that I'm still peri menopausal, she thinks most of the bleeding now is mechanical. Even when I work physically, the uterus bleeds! I've been on the progesterone with no changes.
After reading the symptoms of adenomyosis...I was in shock because I had all the text book symptoms eventhough it's similiar to other conditions. Doctor said this condition will continue for years in one degree or another. I've been fighting anemia for 8 plus years and I'm as shut-in as I can possibly be... sitting on beach towels. Between this newly diagnosised condition and the fibroids, I'm throwing in the towel. Opted for a complete hysterectomy.
D&C/ablation, was not an option for me due to fibroids. Sounds like you might get to coast through? Hope so. Coast is the wrong word! You know what I mean....get through with no surgery!
Mrsc 133, having the biopsy will be a good base line, give a good picture of the condition inside and it will help ease the mind.
Stay well everyone,
Maralyn

Hi Maralyn
The Mirena is an IUD that administers progesterone in a minute dose. It reduced the lining, but I think it created unwanted effects - maybe back pain, weight gain.

And it is now gone, courtesy of an LAVH and BSO done almost 2 weeks ago. I had developed a complex cyst on my ovary and had pain in the other one, and probable adeno too. Even as early as 2 weeks post op I have lost the bloated feeling and back ache. If only I could get these hot flashes under control Id be doing great!

Good luck on your hyster! All will be well. I am so pleased to be done with it all.

Maralyn,

If you're fighting adenomyosis, then you are definitely hurting. That's what I had...and every invasive procedure they did to try to find out the problem or "fix" what might be wrong made it worse. I'm just over a year post op and I can't tell you what a relief it's been to be pain, bloat, cramp, flood free for that time. The day after surgery I already was in less pain than I'd been in the day before surgery. I had the complication of a seroma (split in incision), but I considered this a speedbump in the road to recovery. If you're fighting adeno, the only way to win that battle is a hyster....there is no real "cure" besides that.

Good luck to you.
s
Cat

I am only 31 and my lining measured 1.5 CM..I have been diagnosed with complex hyperplasia and am waiting to see what will come of all this mess..Good luck on your situation!

Adenomyosis definitely will cause a thickened lining as it just keeps invading and building up. I started out with a D&C five years ago and obtained relief for about a year, but then the symptoms started all over and I finally reached the breaking point.

While everyone should very carefully consider whether to undergo surgery and should have many discussions with their doctor, I have to say I'm now a huge fan of the hysterectomy, especially when being able to give birth or not isn't a factor any longer.

I think I read this in someone else's post, maybe here or on another thread, that they could tell that the gyno pain was gone the day after surgery. That's pretty much true in my case as well. Surgery pain was abundant, but through all of that I could tell the gyno pain was history. I had a wonderful outcome, no complications and feel like a new woman -- just wish I had been brave enough to do it sooner!

Good luck to you and lots of from your hyster sisters!

Hi everyone, my lining was a 20. I feel like I'm getting the shaft as my gyn simply told me I have a thickened lining and recommended an LAVH. No biopsy, no other info. I'm scheduled for March 11th and after reading everyones stories, I feel as though I wasn't told enough info by my gyn. I assume a 20 is very thick which would explain the humongous clots? If anyone has any info for me that would be great.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by adviceguru Hi everyone, my lining was a 20. I feel like I'm getting the shaft as my gyn simply told me I have a thickened lining and recommended an LAVH. No biopsy, no other info. I'm scheduled for March 11th and after reading everyones stories, I feel as though I wasn't told enough info by my gyn. I assume a 20 is very thick which would explain the humongous clots? If anyone has any info for me that would be great.

Could you be a candidate for an ablation? How about progesterone? Did he discuss it w/ you? If not, you might want to arm yourself w/ more info and schedule another consult w/ your dr. (I did that and decided mine wasn't the dr., for me any longer)

Good luck--