Is a thickened uterine lining a symptom of menopause?
On One Hand: Not TypicallyDuring menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fall as ovulation ceases. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for the thickening of the uterine lining, so the absence of that during menopause will actually prevent it from thickening.On the Other: Hormone Therapy or Sign of IllnessDuring and after menopause, some women undergo hormone therapy to alleviate the hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. The estrogen therapy can cause the uterine lining to thicken again. If there is no hormone therapy, uterine thickening can be a sign of hyperplasia, or cell overgrowth. Hyperplasia increases the risk of uterine cancer.Bottom LineThe thickening of the uterine lining is not a symptom of menopause; in fact, most menopausal women experience a thinning of the uterine layer as estrogen levels fall. Estrogen replacement therapy can cause a thickening of the lining during menopause.
