Thin Endometrium: One of the major causes of infertility

210

Most times women battle with infertility without knowing the causative factor. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, which means you tend to spend much time seated, chances are that you might have poor blood circulation which may lead to thin endometrial lining. A healthy uterine lining must be at least 8mm for the effective implementation of a fetus.

To understand better, the endometrium is the inner layer of the uterus where embryo implantation takes place. Depending on the hormonal changes in your body, your endometrial thickness builds and get ready for implantation. If an embryo does not implant in a given cycle, the endometrium sheds and leads to the start of your menstrual cycle.

With a thin endometrium, it will be nearly impossible to conceive. Having an Endometrium of more than 7mm is the key to successful implantation. If you are experiencing light periods it can also be a sign that your endometrium is light – which is a big sign that the uterine lining is not getting the circulation it needs to really build up the right thickness for an embryo to implant.

I can still recall vividly how a particular woman reached out to me on Instagram crying out about how she just has an unsuccessful IVF because her endometrium was light. Her uterus wasn’t receiving proper circulation or nourishment, this made it impossible for her body to build a healthy, plush uterine lining for implantation to occur. 

Below are some of the causes of Thin Uterine Lining

Over the years of interactions with my patients with issues of Thin Uterine Lining. Some of the major causes are

  • Poor blood flow to the uterus 
  • Low estrogen levels
  • Use of clomiphene (Clomid) 
  • Damage to the basal endometrial layer – from a D& C, pelvic inflammation, or scar tissue
  • Long term birth control use

 Now that we are aware of the causes, how best can we solve this problem. The good news is that there’s a remedy for this problem. Personally, I like to recommend herbs to my patients in combination with other practices. One of the herbs I love to recommend is dong Quai in a combination of others like Motherwort, Red clover, and Vitex. 

  • Dong Quai has circulation-increasing effects and boosts red blood production in turn increasing blood volume. Dong Quai is usually used in cases of amenorrhea. Dong Quai also helps Support Estrogen Balance. Dong Quai also tonifies and strengthens the uterus by regulating hormonal control, improving uterine tone, and improving the timing of the menstrual cycle. 
  • Exercise is also something I strongly recommend. Getting proper exercise help to improve circulation.
  • I also recommend self-fertility massage, doing this improves circulation of blood to various organs of the body and also bolsters uterine muscles.
  • Castor Oil Packs: Castor oil is used over the lower abdomen. It is shown to help Increase lymph and blood circulation to the reproductive organs. Shrink ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and endometrial adhesions and help clear fallopian tubes. 
  • Foods like dark leafy greens, beets, lentils/beans are strongly advised because they give nutrients essential for building your blood (avoid raw, cold foods)
  • Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps alleviate stress levels and negative energies that are accumulated in a human’s body. Persistent stress can cause shrinking of Endometrium and hence it is essential to alleviate stress levels. 

I hope you learned a thing or two from this article – if you wish to consult me, feel free to reach out at reprovive@gmail.com

Chinonso Anyaehie
WRITTEN BY

Chinonso Anyaehie

Natural Fertility Expert & Educator