Is it serious if the endometrium is 16mm thick?

Whether an endometrial thickness of 16 mm is serious needs to be judged based on the specific situation. If there is no abnormal bleeding or fertility needs, it may be physiological thickening. ； If it is accompanied by symptoms such as irregular bleeding and infertility, it may be related to pathological factors such as endometrial polyps and endometrial hyperplasia.

Endometrial thickness changes dynamically in women of childbearing age at different stages of the menstrual cycle. In the luteal phase after ovulation, the endometrium usually thickens to 10-16 mm, which is the preparation stage for implantation of the fertilized egg. The normal endometrial thickness of postmenopausal women should be less than 5 mm. If it exceeds this value, you need to be alert to lesions. When a simple ultrasound shows 16 mm but no clinical symptoms, it may be related to recent fluctuations in hormone levels. It is recommended to re-examine after the next menstrual period is clean.

Pathological thickening is common in patients with long-term anovulatory uterine bleeding, and continued stimulation by estrogen leads to excessive intimal hyperplasia. When abnormal uterine bleeding is combined with an endometrium of 16 mm, diagnostic curettage is required to rule out atypical endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and other endocrine diseases are more likely to have pathological thickening, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as oligomenorrhea and acne. Hysteroscopy can directly observe the morphology of the endometrium and guide targeted biopsy.

It is recommended to record changes in the menstrual cycle and avoid taking hormone drugs by yourself. Increase your intake of cruciferous vegetables in moderation, as the indole-3-carbinol contained in them helps metabolize estrogen. Transvaginal ultrasound should be performed on days 5-7 of the menstrual cycle for review to avoid errors caused by ovulation detection. If it continues to thicken or is accompanied by abnormal symptoms, you need to see a gynecologist as soon as possible.