When dealing with endometrial hyperplasia, a condition where the uterine lining thins and then thickens unusually. Also known as uterine lining overgrowth, it signals hormonal imbalance and can be a warning sign for more serious disease. endometrial hyperplasia often shows up as irregular or heavy bleeding, especially in women approaching menopause. Recognizing it early lets you stop a possible slide toward cancer.
One of the biggest drivers is excess estrogen exposure, which may come from estrogen‑only hormone therapy or the body’s own production. When estrogen isn’t balanced by progesterone, the endometrium keeps growing, creating hyperplasia. Another major player is obesity, which converts fat tissue into estrogen, amplifying the imbalance. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a disorder that causes chronic anovulation, also face higher estrogen levels and irregular cycles, both of which raise hyperplasia risk. These factors interlink: obesity fuels estrogen, estrogen fuels hyperplasia, and hyperplasia can evolve into endometrial cancer, the most severe outcome.
Understanding these relationships helps you decide on prevention and treatment. Lifestyle tweaks like weight loss can lower estrogen production, while adjusting or stopping estrogen‑only therapy can restore hormonal balance. For many, a progestin‑based regimen or a combined hormone approach slows or reverses the thickening. In cases where hyperplasia is severe or atypical, doctors may recommend a hysterectomy, which removes the source entirely and eliminates cancer risk. Whichever route you take, regular monitoring with ultrasounds or biopsies keeps the situation in check.
Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that dive deeper into each of these topics—whether you need practical tips for managing weight, guidance on hormone therapy choices, or a clear picture of how hyperplasia links to cancer. Use the collection to build a solid plan that tackles the root causes and keeps your uterus healthy.