Various factors impact a woman’s fertility in multiple ways. Many are aware of the connection between stress and reproductive health, diet and fertility health, age and fertility, etc. Did you know that endometrial thickness is crucial for a successful pregnancy, and factors like stress, diet or lifestyle can affect this thickness and influence a woman’s fertility?
The endometrium is the lining inside the uterus. It is one of the most essential factors for reproductive health and pregnancy. Once a female reaches menarche (her first menstrual period), she starts having regular menstrual cycles.
Every menstrual cycle, the endometrium starts developing a lining of tissues on the inside, known as the endometrial lining. Estrogen and progesterone, the two sex hormones, are responsible for the development of this endometrial lining. The lining thickens as the menstrual cycle progresses and reaches ovulation. After ovulation, if pregnancy does not occur, the uterus will shed the endometrium lining, which comes out during the menstrual period.
The endometrium thickness keeps changing throughout the menstrual cycle. It is at its lowest during the menstrual period. This is when the uterus is shedding the lining, and there is no pregnancy. During this time, the endometrial lining can be as thin as 1 mm. For most women, it is within the range of 1 – 4 mm.
The endometrial lining continues to thicken and reaches its thickest of 11-12 mm during the follicular and luteal phases. This is when the follicle ruptures to release a mature egg. If the egg is fertilised during the ovulation stage, the zygote will travel down the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus.
If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrial lining is shed to pave the way for new lining. Shedding the endometrial lining every month through the vagina is what causes a woman to bleed and is known as the menstrual period.
The endometrium is made up of three layers. The first layer is stable throughout and does not undergo any change. The second layer changes throughout the menstrual cycle. This is the layer that thickens and is shed during the menstrual period. The third layer is where the fertilised egg attaches, leading to pregnancy.
If the endometrial lining does not reach the required thickness to enable implantation, then the egg cannot attach. As a result, no pregnancy can take place, and this causes fertility issues. The endometrial lining is not of the perfect thickness, leading to immediate pregnancy for all women. Many women have to try for months before successfully conceiving. However, if the implantation fails repeatedly, it can indicate infertility.
So it is necessary for the endometrial lining to reach a specific thickness to enable pregnancy. Even if the thickness reduces a few weeks after successful conception, it can lead to the egg detaching, resulting in a miscarriage.
The endometrium is a key factor in successful pregnancy. Some common factors that can affect this lining and its thickness are:
Age – The older the woman, the thinner her endometrial lining. The endometrial thickness starts decreasing with age. This is why women above a certain age can find it difficult to conceive naturally.
Hormone Levels – Estradiol is an important hormone for pregnancy. It influences a woman’s ability to conceive. Low levels of this hormone can affect the endometrial thickness.
Infertility – Just as endometrial thickness can lead to infertility, infertility can impact endometrial thickness, too. Infertility caused by low estrogen levels can impact a woman’s endometrial lining and make it difficult to conceive.
Fertility Drugs – The drugs or medications used in fertility treatments can influence the endometrial lining as well. These drugs are specifically used to thicken the endometrial lining to make it suitable for implantation.
Lifestyle – Lifestyle factors impacting the endometrial lining include smoking, alcohol and physical activities. While smoking and alcohol can reduce the blood flow to the uterus and reduce the endometrial thickness, regular exercise can improve blood flow and positively impact the lining.
Stress – Endometrial thickness and stress are closely related. Stress can not only affect the hormones but also the blood flow to the uterus. Chronic stress can reduce the blood flow to the uterus, which in turn can affect the endometrium’s ability to function properly. When stress impacts the levels of estrogen and progesterone, it impacts the endometrium’s growth and functioning. Stress is also known to cause inflammation in various parts of the body and increase cortisol levels, which can make the endometrium less suitable for implantation.
Diet – When the diet is not nutritious, the deficiencies can negatively impact the endometrium’s ability to thicken. The lack of sufficient vitamins and minerals can interfere with the endometrium’s functioning.
The thickness of the endometrial lining keeps changing throughout the menstrual cycle. It is not feasible to keep it thick at all times. Though medications can help thicken the lining to the desired levels to suit pregnancy, you can try the following:
Stress Management – Reducing stress can positively impact your health in many ways, including improving your endometrial thickness. When stress is under control, the hormone production is in balance, thus enabling the uterus to function properly. With lesser stress, the uterine artery will also carry sufficient blood to the uterus, thus enabling optimal function.
Adequate Rest – Getting enough sleep and resting directly impacts your reproductive health. It can not only help maintain hormonal levels, but it can also smooth the functioning and recovery of the body, which in turn can help improve endometrial thickness.
Regular Exercise – Opt for moderate exercises regularly. Challenging your body with physical activities can help improve blood flow throughout the body, including the uterus, and also help maintain hormonal balance, which is very important for endometrial thickness. Exercise can also help pump in the feel-good hormones, thus reducing stress.
Balanced Diet - What you eat can impact your health in every aspect. Eating food rich in essential nutrients can help improve overall health. Including fertility-aiding foods can help strengthen the uterus and improve reproductive health.
Castor Oil – Some studies show that applying castor oil on the belly during the follicular phase can help improve blood circulation to the ovaries and uterus, thus increasing endometrial thickness. This could be due to the massaging and the heat generated by castor oil.
Medications – Different studies show different medications to help women suffering from endometrial issues. The dosages and duration of drugs vary from study to study. If your endometrial lining is always on the thinner side or if you are having difficulty conceiving, your doctor might put you on certain medications for a short duration. Never try to self-medicate, as these medications can have severe side effects if not taken as intended.
Endometrial thickness is a crucial factor in pregnancy. With a little effort and self-care, you can ensure the endometrial thickness is optimal to support a healthy and successful pregnancy.
