Ask An Expert: Thickening of Uterine Walls

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Thickening of Uterine Walls

Question:

I had a CAT scan on my uterus and it showed "thickening of the walls of the uterus." What does that mean at my age (54)? I am not yet in menopause?

Answer:

The wall of the uterus has two distinct layers, the endometrium and the myometrium. The endometrium is the inner layer lining the uterine cavity. It is composed of glands, and it grows in response to hormones and sheds as the menstrual flow with each monthly period. During pregnancy it is the tissue that supplies the developing fetus with nutrients. The myometrium is the thicker outer layer and is composed of strong muscle tissue. The myometrium contracts during delivery to push the baby down the birth canal.

Different conditions affect the endometrium and myometrium and may cause either to appear thickened on an imaging study such as a CAT scan or ultrasound. The endometrium normally varies in thickness during the menstrual cycle. It may be abnormally thickened by polyps, hyperplasia (a precancerous condition) or cancer. The myometrial width may increase with fibroids and adenomyosis, a benign condition in which the endometrial glands grow into the muscle. Cancer is an uncommon cause of thickening.

The finding of thickening of the uterine wall is thus not specific. Further testing may be necessary to determine the cause and need for treatment. You should consult your physician for recommendations regarding the need for additional tests.

Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

E-mail This | Print ThisSee All Ask An Expert Articles

Last updated:	January 24, 2007