Introduction

The uterine lining consists of 3 layers of cells- serosa, myometrium or smooth muscle cells in between and the endometrium which is the layer facing inwards, toward the uterus respectively. The endometrium needs to be more than 7mm thick, for implantation to occur normally. If it is thinner, implantation does not occur and you may have issues when trying to get pregnant. If you have been searching for ‘Best Gynecologist Near Me’ online, then walk into Feminova Clinics today for a consultation! 

Causes For Thin Endometrial Lining

The main reasons for why the endometrial lining may be thin have been explained below- 

• Hormonal imbalance- Where you have lower than normal levels of estrogen. This can happen when you eat the wrong kinds of food, are highly stressed or use birth control or other medications which can influence hormone levels.  
• Asherman’s Syndrome– If you have extensive scar tissue in the uterine lining due to a previous dilation and curettage (D&C), other infections or surgical procedures- then it can compromise the ability of the endometrial lining to regenerate month after month. 
• Fibroids, polyps or uterine surgery- Structural issues like polyps or fibroids and scar tissue from pelvic surgery can cause damage to blood vessels and compromise the integrity of the uterine lining. 
• Endometritis or pelvic infection– Chronic inflammation of the endometrial lining due to an undiagnosed or untreated infection can also be problematic. 
• Long term use of birth control- Oral contraceptive pills contain progesterone and can temporarily thin the endometrial lining out. This may be temporary. 
• Lifestyle – Smoking, poor blood circulation, anxiety, obesity and a lack of exercise can affect endometrial development and fertility in the long term. 

Symptoms of Thin Endometrium-

You may have light periods, irregular bleeding or recurrent implantation failure. If your periods are becoming lighter or scanty over a period of time, it means the endometrial lining is getting thinner than usual. 

Diagnosis of Thin Endometrium- 

There are 4 ways to check for this condition- 

• Transvaginal ultrasound- They use an image guide to check the thickness of the endometrial lining- if it is less than 7mm in thickness, it is called thin endometrium. 
• Hysteroscopy– A tube with a camera is sent in through the vagina to visualise the uterus and check for scar tissue formation, fibroids, adhesions, polyps etc. 
• Hormone tests– Blood sample is taken to check for progesterone and estrogen levels – as these 2 hormones are essential for endometrial lining formation and shedding. 
• Biopsy of the endometrium– A tissue sample is taken and used for further testing- mostly done if masses, infections or other structural abnormalities are suspected. 

Treatment of Thin Endometrium- 

These are the following ways to help the endometrial lining get thicker- 

• Hormonal therapy- You will be given progesterone and oestrogen if levels are lower. This can help the lining get thicker and improve chances of implantation and pregnancy. 
• Intrauterine PRP therapy- Your blood is taken out and platelets are isolated. They are then injected back into the uterine lining. This is called platelet rich plasma therapy- and this is helpful as such platelets secrete various growth factors which improve blood circulation and cell growth in the uterus. 
• Endometrial scratch- This is when shallow scratches or abrasions are made to the uterine lining. This can cause some inflammation, which can trigger regenerative pathways – more cells and blood vessels can then be produced and help to make the endometrial lining thicker. 
• Supplements– The use of L- arginine, vitamin E and other antioxidants can help with growth by reducing oxidative damage and improving blood flow to the uterus. 

Conclusion–

Having an endometrial thickness of 7-14mm is ideal for implantation and to support a pregnancy to term. If it is less than 7mm, then the embryo cannot implant and it can lead to a short term abortion or miscarriage. This can impact IVF plans too, as embryos need to be able to implant properly. 

So, if you notice any of the above symptoms or have not been able to get pregnant after trying for a while, please reach out to us at Feminova Clinics- as we have the best IVF Doctor In Hyderabad. 

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