What is Endometrium?

The uterus is where the fetus grows and develops. It has three linings- the outermost lining, the middle layer and the innermost lining. The innermost layer is called Endometrium. The endometrium is made of mucosal tissues.

How the endometrium changes and what is its function?

Before ovulation, when an egg is released, the functional layer of the endometrium undergoes a change. Vascularization takes place i.e. a buildup of blood vessels and tissues that thickens the endometrium in anticipation of implantation of a fertilized egg. If conception does not take place, the tissues and cells are shed from the endometrium lining. This is when a woman gets her period.

When conception does take place, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the endometrium. The endometrium also supports the placenta, which provides the fetus with oxygen and nutrition.

What is the ideal thickness of the endometrium?

In pre-menopausal women, the thickness of the endometrium should be-

  Between 2-4 millimetres during menstruation,
  5-7 millimetres at the onset of the early proliferative phase
  Around 11 millimetres during the late proliferative phase
  16 millimetres during the secretory phase



What is a poor/thin endometrium?

If the endometrium lining does not meet standard thickness and is not conducive to implantation, it is called a poor endometrium.

Causes behind thin endometrium

There could be many reasons that can lead to a poor endometrial layer-

  Inadequate secretion of estrogen
  Insufficient blood flow
  Prolonged use of birth control pills
  Substandard quality of endometrial tissues
  Presence of fibroids (small uterine tumours)
  Amenorrhea (unnatural periods/ excess bleeding or too little bleeding)
  Intrauterine adhesions (scar tissues form between the layers of the uterus and glue them together)
  Pelvic inflammatory disease
  Use of clomiphene

What are the symptoms of poor endometrium?

  Infertility (inability to conceive)
  miscarriage
  Irregular menstruation
  Painful periods
  Inadequate bleeding during menstruation

Treatment for poor endometrium

  Since the most common cause of poor endometrium is insufficient estrogen, doctors prescribe estrogen pills that can raise estrogen levels.
  If poor endometrium is the result of poor blood flow, an Ultrasonography Test will reveal that. Then doctors prescribe Vitamin E pills and L-arginine amino acid pills to thicken the endometrium layer.
  Regular exercising increases blood flow to the uterus
  Acupuncture is a very effective stress buster. Chronic stress could lead to a shrunk uterine wall. Acupuncture can allay the stress and promote the health of the uterus.
  Intrauterine adhesions can be extracted through surgery.
  Natural remedy (through natural therapy) includes asparagus, royal jelly, cover and they help in thickening the endometrium layer.
  Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor if injected into the body raises endometrial thickness and combats infertility.

Only an endometrium of normal thickness can support a pregnancy. If the lining is not thick enough medical intervention may be necessary.

Poor Endometrium - Can It Be Treated?

Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue lining the womb, grows outside the urethral lining. This can cause severe pelvic pain and a host of other complications, if it is not treated on time. 

Here is everything you need to know about this ailment.


- symptoms: owing to the location of this tissue and its painful protrusion through the lining or walls of the womb, one of the earliest and most painful symptoms experienced may include severe cramps and pain during the menstrual cycle. Also, the patient will experience pain in the lower abdomen region about a week before the onset of the cycle. Heavy bleeding as well as infertility may be experienced in such cases too. Sexual intercourse will also give rise to pain in the region, while discomfort will be felt during the bowel movements. Pain in the lower back will also be experienced throughout the menstruation period. 


- stages: there are several stages of this disease and its progression, each of which will require a different form of treatment. These four stages usually depend on the location, size, depth and number of the endometrial implants within the body of the patient.


- minimal stages: in this stage, usually there will be small wounds and lesions as well as shallow implants on the ovaries. Inflammation in the pelvic cavity can also be felt in this stage.


- mild stage: in this stage, there will also be light lesions and shallow implants which will spread over the ovaries as well as the pelvic lining.


- moderate stage: in this stage, the implants will dig deeper into the ovaries and the pelvic lining, which will result in the growth of even more lesions.


- severe stage: as the name suggests, in this stage the patient will experience deep implants along with lesions in the bowels and the fallopian tubes.


- treatment: there are varied forms of this treatment including pain relief medication for minimal to mild stage patients. Also, hormonal therapy with the help of supplements may be prescribed. Hormonal contraceptives may also be used. In such cases, medication like danazol, medroxyprogesterone, 

Gonadotripin releasing hormone agonists, and other such elements may be prescribed. Conservative surgery and radical surgery may follow, depending on the severity of the condition. Laparoscopy is the preferred form of treatment in such cases. A hysterectomy can be conducted as a final resort where the surgeon will remove the cervix as well as the uterus of the patient. This will make pregnancy impossible for the patient, thereafter. To stem estrogen production, the ovaries will also be removed. 


One must discuss all risks and complications before going in for a certain form of treatment for this ailment.

Symptoms, Stages and Treatment of Endometriosis

Every woman desires to experience the sweetness of motherhood but unfortunately, some fail to get it. It is because either they have low fertility or because they have developed a disease or disorder like endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) due to which they fail to conceive.

Endometriosis is always associated with infertility. To get relief from troublesome problem is to get pregnant earliest may be by IUI if tubes are patent or by IVF. Endometriosis is conditions which lead the womb cells (endometrial cells) to develop in other parts of the body because of which women experiencing this disease fail to release the menstrual blood and also fail to conceive. But these days nothing is impossible it this medical advancement era. There are many ways and methods by which one can conceive.

So here we are providing a useful set of information on some of the best Fertility treatments.

Intrauterine Insemination or Artificial Insemination: It is a normal process in which the sample of a prepared sperm from the husband or the partner is injected directly into woman s uterine cavity during ovulation.
In Vitro Fertilization: In this process, specific medication is used for the stimulation of the ovaries which lead them to produce more eggs in a while. Then eggs are then removed and fertilized with the husband or partner s sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized eggs are placed for 3-5 days to develop an embryo and then the embryo is transferred to woman s uterus.
It is considered as one of the best and last stop infertility solution which proves to be a boon for a sterile couple. As in this process, fertilization takes place outside the body because of which there is no problem of conception even in the condition of any blockage and also minimizes the risk of endometriosis-related infertility. The endometriotic deposits produce and releases toxin into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries thus the egg gets toxic and fail to fertilize the sperm. 

In such condition, many patients rush for many other infertility treatments like fertility medications, intrauterine insemination, etc and when they lose hope of getting the desired result then they find a ray of hope by this ultimate treatment. There are five times more chances of conceiving by this method regardless of the age of women and the stage of endometriosis. The treatment is a boon not only for woman grappling with endometriosis but also for other critical issues like severe male infertility factor, blocked fallopian tubes, and reduced ovarian reserves. In such cases instead of wasting the money on other treatments doctors advice for IVF.

IVF minimizes the chances of miscarriage and also increases the chances of having a healthy baby. So if you are grappling with any such infertility issue than this informative guide may aid you in the journey from infertility to hearing child squeal at your home.



Endometriosis - How IVF Is Beneficial In This Case?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial cells lining the inside wall of the uterus begin to grow outside the uterus. In a majority of the cases, the growth is on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, or the tissues around the uterus. In rare cases, it occurs in other body parts. Normally, women in the age group of 30 to 40 years are prone to developing this condition and genetics is believed to be the reason behind this disorder. It is a serious medical condition if it causes discomfort to the woman.

Signs and Symptoms:  The signs and symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pelvic pain, pain during menstruation, urination, and intercourse, longer periods, bleeding between menstrual cycle, bloody urine or stool, and urinary and bowel problems.

Treatment methods:  In many cases, endometriosis goes undiagnosed and it can only be diagnosed through biopsy. If the biopsy confirms endometriosis, then it can be treated in the following ways:

Hormonal treatment: Hormonal treatment includes birth control pills, placement of the intrauterine device, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and Danazol or Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera).
Pain medication: Pain killers with anti-inflammatory properties are prescribed to those who suffer from painful menstruation.
Surgery: This is the last treatment option and only advised to those who did not find relief from medicines and hormonal treatment. Surgeons try to remove the areas affected by endometriosis but in severe cases, the ovaries might need to be removed completely.
Complications: It is important to treat endometriosis on time as delay can lead to complications. The complications arising out of endometriosis include the following:

Infertility: The scarring and distortions caused in the reproductive organs due to endometriosis and the endometriotic cysts can make a woman infertile.
Scarring: The bleeding and the inflammation caused by endometriosis leads to scarring of the tissues of ovaries.
Ovarian cysts: Sometimes, the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus spreads to the ovaries and starts growing over there, leading to cysts.
Prevention: As it been mentioned before, in many cases, endometriosis goes undiagnosed but it can be prevented or its symptoms managed effectively if one is cautious. One should do the following:

Exercise regularly: Exercise increases immunity and also reduces the level of estrogens, which slows down the progression of endometriosis. It also provides relief from pain.
Eat nutritious diet: A diet rich in vitamin and minerals ensures good health of the reproductive organs and a fine immune system. This helps to fight the symptom of endometriosis and keeps the disorder in check.
Endometriosis is known to affect a large number of women and since the early symptoms are mild or confusing, most of the time they go undetected. Nevertheless, a woman can avoid it and the complications arising out of it by being mindful of the symptoms. They should also undergo a regular pelvic exam and follow the instructions of their gynecologist. This would ensure timely detection of the disorder and if this is ensured, the management also becomes easy.

Suffering From Endometriosis - What Are Its Treatment Options?

Being able to conceive and give birth to a new life is something that most women dream about. The natural instincts of motherhood give a lot of joy to women after they reach a certain age and this is something that is hormone driven so that they are inspired to get pregnant and give birth, keeping the life cycle of humans regular and growing.

A lot of women may be able to easily conceive and go through a natural pregnancy without any major glitches or problems, but everyone may not be as lucky and there may be those women who may be suffering from health issues that make it difficult for them to conceive.

One problem in women that may lead to difficult in conceiving or infertility may be the problem of endometriosis. This is a health issue that affects the uterus and it is defined as a problem in which the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, disturbing menstrual cycles as well as the ability to conceive and carry a foetus in the uterus.

Is it possible to get pregnant?
There is widespread misconception that women who suffer from endometriosis may never be able to conceive because the uterus lining that is needed for the inception of the embryo in early pregnancy may be missing. However, the truth is that the problem is a treatable one and with the right medical help and guidance, it may be possible to make sure that the problem is brought under control or reversed and that a successful pregnancy may be achieved.

While it is possible to reverse the problem, it is also important for aspiring couples to choose the right gynaecologist for the treatment, because it is a complex issue that can be resolved only with expert and experienced interference. The medical professionals may put you under medication that works on the hormones and creates ways to reverse endometriosis. However, in patients who suffer from severe endometriosis, a surgery may be one of the alternative treatments.

The relation with pregnancy:
As it is suggested by experts in the field of gynaecology, finding difficulty in conceiving may be a real possibility. However, with the help of modern medical practices such as in vitro fertility, it may be possible to conceive when all other forms of treatment fail and in order to achieve such a feat it may be important to trust a doctor that has a perfect backing of knowledge and experience in the field.
The modern world of medicine is no shorter than a marvellous miracle, however, the success or failure of any treatment depends a lot on the kind of medical aide and specialist that you decide to opt for.

Endometriosis - How it Affects Pregnancy?

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, the endometrium grows outside (endometrial implant). It commonly involves ovaries, bowel or tissues lining your pelvis. The main symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. While chronic pain exists throughout, it tends to aggravate during menstruation and / or sex. Though the cause is not entirely clear, women with a family history of the condition need to be extra cautious. Endometriosis is normally detected by its symptoms combined with a medical imaging. Though the growth is not generally cancerous, a biopsy is recommended to eliminate doubts. 

The condition of endometriosis is attached with social and psychological effects as it affects a woman's child bearing ability. Most minds race anxiously as to what the surgeon might find and will your body heal after the procedure. Here are some tips to prepare for your endometriosis laparoscopy

 Before the surgery: read up as much as possible about your condition and note down questions you want to ask your doctor. Get details about the entire procedure and how the doctor is treating your specific case. Having knowledge will help you stay calm and focused. Next, gear your home for the process. Stock your fridge with quick heat home made meals. It's best for you and the family to have healthy food than the store bought preservative laden food. Clean your home, change your sheets and purchase some loose fit clothing for later use. Last but not the least, stock up on some reading material that will come handy during your rest period. 
 On day of surgery: do not eat or drink anything from 12 midnight until the time of your surgery. You may also need the unpleasant enema procedure during your prep. Remove your nail polish and leave your jewellery, watch and valuables at home. Shower and get to the hospital early to get on with the forms you'll need to fill. The procedure requires anesthesia so do discuss your allergies or any concerns you may have with this aspect of the procedure. Once you are set with you iv and anesthesia, the doctor takes over to do what they do best cure you.
 The procedure: a small incision is made near the belly button and the abdomen is filled with co2 gas which lifts it away from other organs. During the laparoscopy, the doctor examines the pelvic organs, looking for obvious and atypical endometriosis lesions as well as endometriomas (endometriosis'filled cysts, adhesions, and scarring. He may then remove the lesions to send to a lab for biopsy
 After surgery: you'll most likely wake up groggy in the recovery room after your surgery. You may feel some pain as you come around but if it's a day procedure, you'll be able to leave as soon as you feel ready. 

Although pregnancy may temporarily suppress the symptoms of endometriosis, it does not eradicate the disease. The symptoms will almost always return after the baby is born. If you are suffering from this painful condition and want to seek help, you can consult here.

How To Prepare For Your Endometriosis Laparoscopy

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