Endometrial Hyperplasia - Symptom, Causes, Treatment of Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometrial Hyperplasia is the abnormal thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) due to prolonged stimulation by the female sex hormone oestrogen, without the balancing effect of progesterone.

Endometrial hyperplasia occurs in women who do not ovulate for a long time, and is common in the years preceding the menopause.

There are two exceptions to the connection between endometrial hyperplasia and failure tn ovulate.

• Young women often do not ovulate for some months or years after the menarche (first men struation). Periods may be heavier during this time but, as soon as ovulation begins, progesterone from the corpus luteum - the remnant of the follicle that releases an ovum (egg) - stops the endometrium from thickening excessively
• Hormonal contraception (most commonly the contraceptive pill) stops ovulation, but the progestogens hormonal contraceptives contain prevent hyperplasia

Symptoms of Endometrial Hyperplasia.

Endometrial hyperplasia causes increasingly heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding imenorrhagia), which is often quite irregular. Excessive menstrual loss may lead to anaemia.

Diagnosis and treament of Endometrial Hyperplasia.

Diagnosis is by microscopic examination of tissue specimens from the endometrium, but as long as the ovaries continue to produce oestrogen without progesterone, the condition will recur.

Endometrial hyperplasia is not usually a serious condition but. if it is not controlled, prolonged stimulation by oestrogen may lead to endometrial cancer, endometrial abiation is often advised in cases of endometrial hyperplasia, or hysterectomy for women over 40 who do not want any more children. Treatment is usually by giving progestogens. Foryoung women, the use of the contraceptive pill for several months may correct the condition.

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