The thickness of your endometrium is one of the crucial factors that determine the success of your pregnancy, whether it is a natural pregnancy or through fertility treatments.
Your endometrium ensures the embryo can implant safely into the uterine lining and develop healthily till childbirth. So, it is important to ensure you have a thick enough endometrium to ensure a successful pregnancy.
In this article, we will look at some foods you can take to increase your endometrial thickness and ensure a healthy pregnancy.
How To Increase Endometrial Thickness By Food?
As you can see, the thickness of your endometrium is very important during pregnancy. There are medications that you can take to increase your endometrial thickness for fertility treatments like IVF.
However, if you wish to opt for natural alternatives to increase your endometrial thickness, here are some foods you can take for that.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats, especially polyunsaturated fats, regulate hormones like estrogen and progesterone, both of which are important for endometrial growth during your menstrual cycles.
They also have anti-inflammatory properties and promote blood flow to your reproductive organs, thus increasing endometrial thickness.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Foods like salmon, sardines, mackerel, walnuts, flaxseeds, etc., are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can promote blood flow to your body and stimulate healthy endometrial growth.
Iron-Rich Foods
Iron is a key component in the cellular process (cell division and growth) and the key component of hemoglobin, the protein that helps transfer oxygen to all body parts.
Though they do not directly impact endometrial thickness, the oxygen supply and cell growth can stimulate endometrial tissues to develop healthily. Foods like leafy vegetables, lean meats, beans, lentils, etc., are rich sources of iron that you can add to your diet.
Fruits And Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are always a good choice for maintaining a healthy body. For endometrial thickness, fruits high in L-citruline and L-arginine have been shown to give better results.
These nutrients can convert into nitric oxide that can expand the blood vessels and improve blood flow to your reproductive organs, thus improving endometrial thickness.
You can also add fruits and vegetables rich in iron, folate, fiber, and other nutrients. Some fruits and vegetables you can take are oranges, pomegranate, lemons, watermelon, and leafy greens like spinach and broccoli.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are rich in several essential nutrients, such as vitamin B, fiber, and magnesium. These nutrients help promote hormonal balance and blood circulation to the uterus.
Dairy Products
Consuming dairy products low in fat has been said to have some benefits to your endometrium. Dairy has a lot of calcium and vitamin D.
Calcium can improve bone health and stimulate cell growth, while Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and creates a favorable environment for endometrial growth.
Protein
As you already know, proteins are the building blocks of your body, help tissues grow, and support hormone production. It is best to add plant-based protein to your diet, as animal proteins have the chance of containing saturated fats.
Some examples of plant-based proteins are legumes, spinach, tofu, lentils, etc. these proteins can help grow endometrial tissues and maintain your reproductive health.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas have been mentioned by some people to improve endometrial thickness. However, there is little scientific evidence to prove it. Always consult your fertility doctor before you are going to take any external supplements other than the ones your doctor prescribed.
What Is A Good Endometrial Thickness For IVF?
On average, an endometrial thickness of 7–12 mm is considered to be optimum for successful embryo implantation and IVF pregnancy. Here is the average thickness of a thin, average, and thick endometrium.
Thin endometrium: If the endometrial thickness is less than 7 mm, it is a thin endometrium. The chances of pregnancy are very low with this thickness.
Optimal thickness: An endometrial thickness of 7–12 mm is considered good for implantation and pregnancy.
Too thick endometrium: Having a too thick endometrium is also not good for pregnancy. An endometrium thicker than 12 mm can create an unfavorable environment for the embryo’s growth and development.
Conclusion
Whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally or you are undergoing IVF to get pregnant, know that your endometrial thickness is crucial for implantation and the pregnancy to last till childbirth.
Your fertility doctor will always check for your endometrial thickness if you are visiting them for IVF treatments. If you have a thin endometrium, listen and follow their instructions to bring your endometrium to optimal thickness.
There is no way to improve your endometrial thickness in a short time as 2 days. Endometrial growth is a gradual process and might take some 2 or 3 weeks to develop fully.
Here are some tips you can follow to increase your endometrial thickness naturally.
- Follow a healthy diet with nutritious foods.
- Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet
- Exercise regularly
- Follow a healthy lifestyle
Walking does not have a direct impact on your endometrial thickness. However, physical activity can help improve blood flow and indirectly help with your endometrial thickness.
