Womb lining 3 times the size it should be, what now?!

Hey there Miffy,

Sorry you find yourself here, but I'm glad you popped in.

The next step would usually be a hysteroscopy with a biopsy taken of the lining. At the same time, they will probably insert the Mirena Coil. Do you know if that's the sort of coil you had last time, or was it a different one? If it was the Mirena, then do mention this to them and they may prescribe you Provera as well.

The Mirena and Provera are both progesterone medications. Progesterone tells your body that you don't need an endometrial lining at the moment, so you will still bleed for a bit as your body sheds the lining you've got at the moment. But if you're on a high enough dose, then your body won't grow it back again and so the bleeding will stop.

In the meantime, they'll be testing the biopsy sample they took, and will get back to you with the results. It may be that they don't need to do anything else other than check the progesterone has done it's thing, or they may need to do something else. But only the biopsy will be able to tell them which is needed.

Worrying is only natural when there's ever anything wrong with us. So you're def not silly for doing the natural thing. But I'm afraid patience is your best friend at the moment to get through the wait for appointments and test results. But you'll get there.

Lass

XX

Hi miffy,

Firstly try not to worry, around 90% of women who have a womb biopsy (if you get to that point) get the all clear. 

So, your next steps will most likely be to see the gynaecologist who will have a look inside with a speculum (like during your smear test) then they might take a biopsy from your womb at the same time, I had one, it wasn't too bad. My next step was a hysteroscopy where they look inside your womb with a camera and take a bigger sample. After that I waited on the histology results and then got my diagnosis.

A thick lining can be caused by other non cancerous things my best advice whilst you wait is to keep busy and distracted 

lors of love

xxx

It was the Merina I had before, I was booked in twice with the gynae to talk about a hysterectomy before my littlest boys made a happy suprise as my periods are so bad so I was hoping this might push them towards that route a bit maybe. Thankyou for your quick reply, it has given me some reassurance.

I know a hysterectomy is a big operation but I just can't cope with being ill all the time with "girly problems". It's been every single period has wiped me out and they are getting so much worse. I kind of zoned out as she was explaining the scan because as soon as she mentioned thickening my mind went because I have seen it so many times as a major warning. I also wondered if it may be to do with having my baby almost 6 months ago but she seemed only concerned if I had had a C section which I didn't. 

Good good.

As for the hysterectomy, depending on what the biopsy shows then that may be an avenue they explore.

There's nothing stopping you from asking for one too, however, with your age they will probably be reluctant if it's not classed as medically necessary. There's not just fertility and the possibility of more kids, but going through surgical menopause before 40/50 can lead to future medical problems because of the lack of hormones. Those wee blighters do lots of things we never realise until they are gone!

I'm 37 now, and a couple of years ago I chose hormone suppression for my cancer and hyperplasias rather than a hysterectomy. And after a year of heavy bleeding, non-stop, the combination of coil and Provera sorted me out and I've not had a period since. So it does work.

Lass

XX

I don't think my body could cope with another pregnancy, I couldn't walk at the end due to pelvic pains. I will look into it a bit more if I need to, I found the coil made me feel a bit like a zombie if that makes sense, I joked that my body doesn't cope with hormones and now this happens. I had another thought it may be a hormonal imbalance of some kind but thought that would have shown in my full blood count they did. I had an examination and swabs a few weeks ago and that came back clear. I try not to worry but I think if I am prepared for the worst then I will cope better. I had been saying I KNEW there was something wrong for a long time so just knowing the thickness could be causing the problems is a weight off my mind, now just to find the cause of the uterine thickness.

It's one of those things the Drs ask, or used to at least. One of those worst case scenario things, so you're prepared, where they ask if the unthinkable should happen to your kids, wouldn't you want more.

Anytime you change the chemical makeup of your body then you're sometimes going to feel it. However the hormone is just a synthetic version of the one already found in your body. All they are doing is raising the level to a consistent one, rather than having peaks and troughs as you do naturally. I'd put the zombie feeling down to the blood loss, exhaustion, and pain from the constant period than the coil tbh.

I believe the most common cause for endometrial thickening is something called hyperplasia, though I'm sure Arla can confirm or dispute that one. So if you want to look something up, that would be the place to look I think.

Lass

XX

I have every thing crossed that is all it is as I have been doing some reading up. My fiancé and I had already had that discussion as he has been referred for a vasectomy. We have 8 children between us so am happy to end my child bearing years a little earlier than is natural I suppose. Thankyou, you have been very reassuring and I already feel more positive that it will just be hormonal or something.

Hi miffy,

As Lass says hyperplasia is a cause of womb lining thickening, adenomyosis bulks the uterus out too and polyps and fibroids can cause issues although I'm not sure if they would present as thickness or be seen as they are on an ultrasound.

If a hysterectomy is a route you want to take you should ask your team if it's possible to keep your ovaries, that would prevent surgical menopause, but they will be best placed to explain the risks, if any, around that. If you do have one clarify whether you still need smear tests or not, they took my whole cervix but some people are left with their whole cervix, or part of it. 

let us know how you get on, if you do need the op or other treatment it's likely that someone on the forum will have had it too and have some tips for you.

Lots of love 

xxx

I had already discussed with my doctor that I would prefer to keep my ovaries for that reason when she referred me (before the little ones). The sonographer said there wasn't a fibroid when i mentioned that it could be causing the pain but I was thinking could it be hidden under the thickening? Could it be endometriosis after all these years and they missed it in 2012? Thankyou x