How can you thicken uterine lining

Two hormones produced from the ovaries thicken and prepare the uterine lining for implantation. Estrogen causes the thin uterine lining to thicken. Progesterone causes the thickened uterine lining to develop the characteristics needed for implantation. Women who are attempting pregnancy using frozen embryos or with donor eggs will commonly receive estrogen and progesterone supplements in preparation for transfer of a thawed embryo into the uterine cavity.

Numerous studies have found that if a woman has a persistently thin uterine lining despite receiving adequate amounts of estrogen, then the chance for pregnancy is reduced. For many women, the cause of a persistently thin uterine lining is unknown. Many different therapies have been used in an attempt to improve the thickness of the uterine lining during estrogen supplementation but none have shown consistent benefits in this group.

In some women, a thin uterine lining may be the result of not getting a sufficient amount of estrogen. Estrogen levels can be checked with a blood test. Estrogen is most commonly given orally but if this fails, other alternatives include estrogen patches, estrogen injections or administering estrogen vaginally. If the amount of estrogen is adequate, a thin uterine lining could be the result of damage to the uterine lining. For example, a previous uterine infection or surgery inside the uterine cavity could cause scar tissue to form which replaces the normal uterine lining.

If this is the case, then surgery to remove scar tissue may be necessary. Using ultrasound , doctors can measure blood flow to the uterus. Some studies indicate that failure of the uterine lining to thicken could be due to decreased blood flow. One study used high doses of Vitamin E and an amino acid called L-arginine to increase the thickness of the uterine lining.

Each month when the ovaries release an egg, the endometrial lining, also known as the uterine lining, thickens in preparation for an embryo. If the egg does not get fertilized, the lining sheds and exits the body via the vaginal canal.

The uterine lining provides nourishment and sustenance for an embryo and is a necessary part of pregnancy. When the lining is thin, usually less than 7mm, the body cannot sustain an embryo and a growing fetus. Issues pertaining to a thin uterine lining usually occur for years before women try to conceive. However, women may be unaware of the endometrium problem until proper testing is done.

Women with thin endometrial linings may have to undergo multiple IVF rounds. Here are some signs of a thin endometrial lining:. A thin uterine lining is not a permanent condition.

In this article, we look at the normal range for endometrial thickness, causes of changes, and when to see a doctor. In imaging tests of young females who have not yet begun menstruating, the endometrium is present but smaller than it will be later in life.

According to the Radiological Society of North America RSNA , the endometrium is at its thinnest during menstruation, when it usually measures between 2—4 millimeters mm in thickness. At this phase, the endometrium begins to thicken and may measure between 5—7 mm. As the cycle progresses and moves towards ovulation, the endometrium grows thicker, up to about 11 mm.

During this secretory phase , endometrial thickness is at its greatest and can reach 16 mm. Endometrial thickness is important in pregnancy. Healthcare experts link the best chances for a healthy, full-term pregnancy to an endometrium that is neither too thin nor too thick. This allows the embryo to implant successfully and receive the nutrition it needs. The endometrium gets thicker as the pregnancy progresses. The RSNA also state that in healthy postmenopausal people, the endometrium typically measures about 5 mm or less.

Ultrasound is the most common way to measure the thickness of the endometrium. It is the method that healthcare providers use first, especially if an individual has reported abnormal vaginal bleeding. One of the more common causes of changes in endometrial thickness is pregnancy.

Women who are having an ectopic pregnancy or who are less than 5 weeks pregnant may show signs of a thickening endometrium. Cancer of the endometrium or the ovaries is one of the most severe conditions that can lead to an increase in endometrial thickness. This is usually taken in the form of pills, patches or suppositories. An alternative is Gonal-F treatment to prompt your body to make more of its own estrogen. There are however natural treatments you can consider to help thicken the uterine lining for IVF as well as taking the medication prescribed by your doctor.

These include:. Enjoying moderate exercise not high intensity to increase your heart rate and promote good oxygenated blood flow to the uterus. Avoid using seasonal allergy medication or cold remedies as these are designed to constrict blood flow. Try fertility massage to improve blood flow to the uterus.