about it
What is endometriosis? What is it made of? What function does it perform? What are the most prominent problems that may occur? The answers to these questions are in the following article.
Endometriosis: the most important information about it
The uterus consists of an outer layer of smooth muscle called the myometrium and an inner layer called the endometrium, which is a mucous membrane that lines the uterus from the inside. Many changes occur during the menstrual cycle, but what is the function of this lining? What is it made of? What problems might it encounter?
Endometriosis: function
The physiological functions of the uterine lining are to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg and to maintain pregnancy if the egg implants or menstruation occurs if implantation and pregnancy do not occur. Therefore, the uterine lining has a major and important role in the process of reproduction and continuation of the human race.
More clearly, the lining undergoes specific changes just before ovulation, as the uterine glands in it become longer and the blood vessels in it proliferate, causing it to increase in thickness and perfusion with blood to be ready to receive the fertilized egg and support the placenta.
If pregnancy does not occur, this accumulation of blood vessels and tissue becomes unnecessary, and the body gets rid of it in a process known as the menstrual cycle. Menstruation consists of cells shed from the uterine lining, mixed with blood from the small blood vessels surrounding the uterine glands.
Components of the uterine lining
The lining of the uterus consists of uterine glands surrounded by thin cellular connective tissue. It consists of two layers in women of childbearing age, and they are as follows:
1. Stratum basale
It is the deep supportive layer that represents a third of the uterine lining and is connected to the uterine muscle, which remains to replenish the uterine lining and prepare it for the next cycle when the surface layer of the lining separates during menstruation in the event that pregnancy does not occur, which represents two-thirds of the lining.
2. Stratum functionale
It represents the superficial two-thirds that reproduce, secrete, and then shed during menstruation if pregnancy does not occur in response to hormonal factors. Estrogen is often the hormone responsible for the reproduction of this layer.
Although there is no border between the two layers of the lining, they can be distinguished Because the tissues of the basal layer are more cellular than the functional layer.
The most prominent problems that may affect the uterine lining
There are a group of problems that may affect the uterine lining, which may therefore affect fertility. We mention here some of them:
Problems with uterine thickness
The lining that is too thick or too thin is one of the problems that may affect fertility and reduce the success of the pregnancy process. Research has found that this may affect the implantation of the embryos and increase the chance of miscarriage even if pregnancy occurs. The thickness of the lining is measured by ultrasound examination. Vaginal.
Luteal phase defect
The hormone progesterone plays an important role in the luteal phase, which is the period that follows ovulation and continues until menstruation occurs, in stimulating the uterine lining to secrete essential nutrients and substances that maintain the lining and a healthy environment for the fetus. Sometimes there may be defects in the luteal phase, which leads to a lack of production. Insufficient progesterone and this may lead to infertility.
Endometriosis
It is a condition in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity, and is a common cause of infertility.
Endometrial polyps
It is represented by an overgrowth of the uterine lining, which is often benign and non-cancerous. This problem may lead to infertility, but this is not necessarily the case.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis often occurs when the lining of the uterus grows into the uterine muscle, which can cause painful and heavy periods.
Asherman’s Syndrome
This syndrome occurs when adhesions occur in the uterus, resulting from the growth of scar tissue in plaques inside the uterus. This syndrome may cause problems in pregnancy and lead to recurrent miscarriage.
Viral infections of the uterine lining
Viral infections, such as endometrial herpes virus, may lead to infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, but this is still a theory, and needs proof and research.
Endometrial cancer
Which is also known as uterine cancer, and is usually diagnosed quickly because it causes abnormal bleeding, and in the case of early treatment, preserving fertility is possible.
