proliferative phase
Last reviewed 01/2018
In the first half of the menstrual cycle the uterus is in a proliferative phase, during which the lining becomes thicker and the uterine glands become thicker. There is mitosis in both stromal and epithelial cells leading to growth of the glands and thickening of the endometrium from 0.5 mm in the menstrual phase to 3.5 - 5 mm in height at the end of the proliferative phase.