Proliferative endometrium

by Adnan Karavelic MD FRCPC
June 8, 2022

About this article: This article was created by doctors to help you read and understand your pathology report for proliferative endometrium. If you have any questions about this article or your pathology report, please contact us.

What is proliferative endometrium?

Proliferative endometrium describes the changes seen in the endometrium during the first half of the menstrual cycle. It is a normal finding in women of reproductive age.

What causes proliferative endometrium?

The endometrium is a layer of tissue on the inside of the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium grows under the influence of two major hormones – estrogen and progesterone. In the first part of the menstrual cycle, between menses and ovulation (ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and is made available to be fertilized), the endometrium grows under the influence of estrogen. Pathologists call this phase the proliferative endometrium.

How is the diagnosis of proliferative endometrium made?

The diagnosis of proliferative endometrium is usually made after a small sample of tissue is removed from the endometrium during a procedure called an endometrial biopsy or uterine curetting.

Common reasons for these procedures include:

• Abnormal (dysfunctional) uterine bleeding.
• Postmenopausal bleeding.
• Screening for endocervical or endometrial cancer.
• Endometrial dating.
• Follow up of previously diagnosed endometrial hyperplasia.
• Endometrial or endocervical polyps.
• Infertility.

Your pathology report may also say negative for hyperplasia and malignancy, which means there was no evidence of endometrial cancer or endometrial hyperplasia in the tissue samples examined. Based on this diagnosis, your doctor will suggest further testing and treatment.