What does thin uterine wall mean?

Thin uterine wall usually means that the thickness of the endometrium is lower than the normal range, which may affect the menstrual cycle or fertility function. Thin endometrium may be related to factors such as abnormal hormone levels, uterine cavity operation injury, inflammation and infection, congenital dysplasia and other factors, and manifests as symptoms such as low menstrual flow, amenorrhea or recurrent miscarriage.

The thickness of the endometrium changes with the menstrual cycle, usually 4-8 mm in the proliferative phase and up to 7-14 mm in the secretory phase. If ultrasound examination shows that the endometrium continues to be less than 7 mm before ovulation, or less than 8 mm in the mid-luteal phase, the endometrium can be diagnosed as thin. Common triggers include multiple induced abortions and dilation and curettage that damage the basal layer, long-term use of contraceptive pills to inhibit estrogen secretion, endometritis leading to fibrotic adhesions, etc. This kind of situation may be accompanied by abdominal pain during menstruation, pain during sexual intercourse or infertility, and the cause needs to be determined through vaginal ultrasound and hysteroscopy.

In rare cases, special diseases such as tuberculous endometritis and Asherman syndrome can cause severe endometrial damage and even partial or complete adhesions in the uterine cavity. Iatrogenic factors such as radiation therapy and uterine artery embolization may also cause irreversible endometrial thinning. Such patients may suffer from secondary amenorrhea, repeated embryo implantation failure and other serious consequences.

It is recommended that those with menstrual abnormalities or fertility difficulties seek medical evaluation as soon as possible and make a clear diagnosis through six hormone tests, hysteroscopy, etc. It is necessary to avoid frequent uterine cavity operations in daily life, keep warm during menstruation, and supplement phytoestrogen foods such as soy products in an appropriate amount. After diagnosis, hormone replacement therapy, intrauterine adhesion separation and other targeted treatments are required according to the cause. Severe cases may require assisted reproductive technology intervention.