Thinning or scarring of uterine lining

Thinning or scarring of uterine lining

Is infertility associated with thinning of endometrial lining or uterine scarring? Having a healthy baby is a dream of many couples, yet some of them are not able to get pregnant after trying for years.

In fact, among all causes of infertility, having a thin endometrial lining or scar tissue in the uterus is a common cause of infertility. Scars and adhesions in the uterus can be caused by operation called dilation and curettage (D&C), induced abortion, uterine polyps, uterine fibroids, previous surgeries and other factors. Scar tissue may prevent implantation and development of embryo, which can lead to infertility or miscarriages. By using gels in the uterus post surgery can reduce scarring and adhesions on the endometrial lining effectively.

1. Dilation and Curettage (D&C):If the position of curettage is too shallow, the uterine content cannot be completely removed. This can lead to bleeding and a second D&C is required. On the other hand, if the position of curettage is too deep, this can easily damage the basal layer of endometrial lining and affect the function of uterus. As embryo implants and continues development on the endometrial lining, damages on the endometrium will lead to infertility. If multiple D&C were performed, uterine tissues can stick together forming scars and adhesions at the uterine cavity and cervix. Therefore, if patient experience abnormal heavy bleeding 2 hours after the operation, experience abdominal pain or fever few hours or few days after surgery, patient should seek medical attention immediately.
2. Induced abortion: Induced abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by performing a procedure within 24 weeks of pregnancy. However, the procedure may cause incompetent cervix and endometrial damage, scars and adhesions can be formed due to damages made to the cervix, leading to recurrent miscarriage and infertility. Induced abortion can result in salpingitis, reducing the chance of conceiving. Multiple abortions can result in function recession of uterus and causing infertility.
3. Endometritis: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervicitis and intrauterine adhesions cannot be ignored as they can lead to female infertility. PID is an infection of female reproductive system in the pelvis. In severe cases, Fallopian tubes and ovaries can be filled with pus, causing irreversible damage and infertility. Cervicitis is caused by microbial infection, it can result in PID and affect motility of sperm. Intrauterine adhesions is a condition where scars and adhesions formed in the uterine cavity, leading to infertility and this is related to inflammation in the uterus or previous curettage procedure.
4. Surgery scars:As mentioned above, uterine polyps, uterine fibroids and intrauterine adhesions have an impact on women’s health. However, using surgery to remove tissues may also leave scars on the endometrial lining or cervix, which will affect embryo implantation and development, causing miscarriages or infertility.

Prevention

• Dilation and Curettage (D&C):
  • Avoid using D&C for pregnancy termination
  • Use other methods if possible
• Induced abortion:
  • Use correct contraception methods
• Endometritis:
  • Practice safe sex
• Surgery scars:
  • By applying gel or using intrauterine balloon can prevent endometrial lining from sticking together, reducing the formation of adhesions and scars. This can avoid the influence on embryo implantation and development due to the thinning of endometrial lining or uterine scarring.

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