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We know that women who suffer from fibromyalgia are more likely to develop a condition called endometriosis, where the lining of the uterus begins to grow into the surrounding tissue. But, did you know that you may also be more likely to suffer from a similar condition called endometrial hyperplasia?
Like endometriosis, the condition can be painful and even dangerous. So being aware of the risk and learning how to manage the condition is the first step in preventing serious complications. So, what exactly is endometrial hyperplasia? And what can you do to manage it?
What Is Endometrial Hyperplasia?
Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition marked by the abnormal growth of the cells lining the walls of the uterus. Essentially, the skin surrounding the inside of the uterus begins to grow larger and thicker, leading to inflammation of the uterine wall. In many cases, this results in bleeding that is usually heavier or thicker than the normal menstrual bleeding.
We aren’t sure what causes this condition, but it could be that the body is producing too much of a hormone called estrogen and not enough of another hormone called progesterone. Estrogen triggers your uterus to produce more cells, while progesterone regulates the way your body sheds off these cells in the normal menstrual cycle.
So when your body is producing too much estrogen and not enough progesterone, the result is the runaway growth of the uterine wall. And there are a number of things that can cause this condition such as obesity, the growth of tumors in the estrogen-producing glands, and estrogen-replacement therapy.
The most obvious sign is the abnormal bleeding, which can occur at irregular times, which makes it distinct from the menstrual cycle. In addition, it can occur in post menopausal women, which is a good sign that something is wrong with the uterus.
Ordinarily, symptoms are usually not that severe. They typically involve a low level of pain and the tell-tale bleeding. Though they can be much more serious. But the real danger of this condition is that it increases your risk of uterine cancer.
Cancers are caused by the rapid mutation of your cells. So any situation where your cells are multiplying too rapidly makes it more likely that some of them will mutate and lead to cancer. And in cases of endometrial hyperplasia, the rapid growth of the cells in the uterine wall can be a serious risk factor for cancer.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to both help manage your risk and treat the underlying condition.
How Can You Manage It?
The first step in treatment is getting an accurate diagnosis. The most common way that doctors diagnose the condition is by performing an ultrasound of the uterus. By examining the image on the ultrasound device, a doctor can judge if your uterine wall seems to be enlarged. At that point, they will be able to determine the best course of treatment.
The most common form of treatment is hormone therapy. Because the most common cause of the condition is the lack of the hormone progesterone, doctors can give you synthetic progesterone to help balance out your hormones. Typically, this synthetic hormone is administered either orally, through a vaginal cream, or in the form of an inter-uterine device that gradually releases a steady supply of the hormone.
However, if you’ve already developed uterine cancer as a result of the condition, a hysterectomy is usually the best course of treatment. Otherwise, a doctor will probably recommend surgery to remove cancerous tumors. And then they may prescribe chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and kill off cancerous cells.
But if you aren’t suffering from the condition, you can also try to keep your risk of developing hyperplasia as low as possible. To that end, there are a few lifestyle adjustments that can help keep you safe. The first is to reduce your body weight if you are obese. Obesity is a known trigger for hyperplasia, so keeping a healthy body weight can help reduce the odds of developing the condition.
Just remember to pay attention to your menstrual bleeding and be aware of any abnormalities in timing. Bleeding at irregular times is the best sign that you’re suffering from a problem with your uterus. And getting treatment as soon as possible is the best way to prevent the risk of complications.
So, do you suffer from hyperplasia? How did you notice the symptoms? What did you do to treat it? Let us know in the comments.
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