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What Does Endometrial Thicknes Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 8 Apr 2014

Question: I had a routine transvaginal ultrasound and my dr called to tell me my endometrium is thickened (I think she said 8mm). My last period was 7 months ago, I am 51 and now terrified after researching the web

Answered by Dr. Minoo Bhagia (18 hours later)

Brief Answer: direct answer Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome and thanks for the query As you have mentioned your age which is 51 and you had your last period 7 months back , you are reaching menopause and 8 mm endometrial thickness is not to worry about. You are not having any clinical symptoms like heavy bleeding so there is no need to worry.There are certain hormonal changes at this age so there can be changes in the endometrial thickness also.If there is menorrhagia or heavy bleeding along with endometrial thickness then it might need an endometrial biopsy. Get your thyroid profile done as a routine check up. There will be changes in the body due to menopause like hot flushes , mood swings , weight gain etc so take them positively , do weight bearing exercises so that there are less chances of osteoporosis.Take diet rich in calcium.Take Vit D in the form of tablets , sachets or injectables , if possible get your Vit D levels done. Avoid fatty and fried food. Diet control along with yoga , meditation and exercises will help you passing through this phase of your life smoothly. Best wishes Any other query is most welcome

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Minoo Bhagia (2 hours later)

Thank you Dr. My concern is the cut-off for thickness. The web has different scales. No bleeding at all except after intercourse which ive experiencedy my whole 29 years of marriage. Not excessive at all and not always. My dr (gp) really frightened me when she said scan showed endometrium thickening and ovaries looked fine. Im an anxious patien t

Answered by Dr. Minoo Bhagia (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: direct answer Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome once again Bleeding or spotting intercourse causes concern which you didn't mention in your previous post.It can be due to chronic cervical erosion.Get your pap's smear done , it is a routine laboratory test and hardly takes 5 minutes.It is done for Human pailloma virus (HPV ) and to see the cervical changes. If you are very anxious you can get an endometrial biopsy done which will help you to reach a diagnosis and you can live a stress free life. If it is cervical erosion , you can get cryocautery done which is a very simple procedure done in OPD. Best wishes Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Minoo Bhagia (11 hours later)

Thank you Dr. Bhagia, I had a Pap smear and hpv done a month ago which came back negative. Yes, I have had some blood after intercourse and vaginal burning which my dr did not seem concerned about. I wish I had never had the pelvic ultrasound... My gp suggested I have routine tests (colonoscopy, mammogram, transvaginal) and now that she called me with results I'm a worried woman. So much on the internet that frightens me. Keep telling myself I don't have heavy bleeding or spotting since August. Always had normal paps and periods. My big question is have you seen 8mm thickness in patients and what is the normal scale if I am almost menopausal ? You have been so kind ... My thanks to you

Answered by Dr. Minoo Bhagia (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer: direct answer Detailed Answer: Hi Dear . The risk of cancer in post menopausal women whose endometrial thicness is > 11 mm along with vaginal bleeding is more and they need an biopsy. The endometrial thickness < 5mm carries no risk. If it is > 5 mm along with vaginal bleeding then it needs an evaluation. In your case you are not having any vaginal bleeding so just wait and watch and get the ultrasound repeated after 6 months. Don't get anxious , everything is fine Best wishes Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Minoo Bhagia (1 hour later)

You are amazing!

Answered by Dr. Minoo Bhagia (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: direct answer Detailed Answer: :) You are welcome

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Minoo Bhagia (8 days later)

My biopsy results showed benign cells yet it came back inconclusive due to not enough tissue. Dr wants to do another endometrium biopsy. How common is this? I'm losing too much weight and am scared

Answered by Dr. Minoo Bhagia (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Direct answer Detailed Answer: Hello Dear Benign cells means no malignancy and not enough tissue means there is no endometrial hyperplasia so do not worry about it.I don't think there is any need to repeat the biopsy. You are loosing weight due to stress and anxiety.Please do not do that , just relax , eat well and be happy Best wishes once again

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Minoo Bhagia (20 hours later)

Thank you Dr. My obgyn does want to do another biopsy ans prescribed some medication to help open the cervix which I will use the night before procedure. Im wondering why there was not enough tissue as it certainly felt like much was taken at the time. How common is a biopsy sample inadequate? I thank you for your expertise.

Answered by Dr. Minoo Bhagia (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: direct answer Detailed Answer: Hello, Yes she must have given tablet misoprostol to open the cervix. Inadequate tissue can be due to thin endometrial lining or improper dilatation of cervix. They do occur sometimes not frequently though. Time taken during biopsy must be due to dilatation of cervical canal. Get it done and send me the report Best wishes once again take care

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad