The thickness and structure of the m-echo. What is this and what is this indicator for?

A doctor's examination of the gynecologist on the armchair can not give a complete picture of what is happening in the body, so almost every reception ends with a direction for ultrasound. Very often, during an ultrasound study, one can hear such an incomprehensible expression as "thickness and structure of the m-echo". What it is and what this indicator is for, it is not clear to every woman, however, it is these values that can indicate the disorders of the cycle and diseases. It is also important to study this indicator when a long-awaited pregnancy occurs. So what does m-echo mean and why is its dimension so important?

Measurement of m-echo

First you need to determine the value. By the way, such a concept uses not only gynecology. M-echo in this case is the mucous membrane of the uterus, or the endometrium. It is the thickness of the latter so carefully measured by doctors, along with the structure of the mucosa it must correspond to a specific day of the cycle. During its development, the endometrium is divided into two layers - basal and functional, all kinds of abnormalities can indicate various diseases.

Endometrial densities The density and thickness of the endometrium throughout the whole cycle varies significantly. To determine the norms, the average duration is 28 days.

So, what happens in the uterus during this period of time? What is the reason for the too small and large value of the m-echo, what does this mean and what is the correct dynamics of the structure change?

The monthly cycle has three phases, which in turn are divided into stages. During this time, the endometrium grows and decreases.

In the first two days of a month's bleeding, a clear structure in the endometrium should not be, on the contrary - the mucosa is not uniform, which is due to the increase in the uterus and the presence of clots of blood and mucus in it.

Next is the regeneration stage, in which only the walls of the uterus form the m-echo. What does it mean? Mucous at this time is only the formation of a small echogenicity to a thickness of 0.5 cm.

From the 5th to the 7th day it decreases, the m-echo thickens and acquires a high sound conductivity. In the middle stage of proliferation - this is the 10th day, in the center of the endometrium a hyperechoic layer with a thickness of up to 1 cm is determined, it usually remains until the end of the third phase.

However, very often a clearly layered endometrium is not observed, but it looks rather homogeneous, which is most likely due to the peculiarities of its structure and image quality.

Endometrial problems

With the right hormonal background, the development of the mucous uterus should proceed according to the scheme:

- for 1 and 2 days - not less than 0.5, but not more than 0.9 cm - the beginning of the bleeding phase, the desquamation stage;

- for 3 and 4 days - not less than 0.3, but not more than 0.5 cm - regeneration stage;

- for 5, 6 and 7 days - not less than 0.6, but not more than 0.9 cm - the beginning of the proliferation phase;

- for 8, 9 and 10 days - not less than 0,8 and not more than 1, 0 cm;

- from 11 to 14 days - not less than 0.9 and not more than 1.3 cm;

- from 15 to 18 days - not less than 1.0 and not more than 1.6 cm - the beginning of the phase of secretion;

- from 19 to 24 days - not less than 1.0 and not more than 2.1 cm;

- from 25 to 27 days - not less than 1.0, but not more than 1.8 cm.

If there are violations, then more research is needed that refutes or confirms the deviations. Increased m-echo, what does this mean? If the glandular-cystic formations are observed with increased m-echo, this is a sign of benign tumors, if there are ovarian tumors with a distinct body and leg - these are polyps. After the onset of menopause, such changes can be attributed to precancerous conditions of the endometrium.