Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a common condition that may not cause any symptoms, or it can cause severe symptoms and sometimes lead to serious complications.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis occurs when the tissue that covers the inside of the uterus grows into the muscle wall of the uterus, which causes the uterus to thicken and be bigger in size.

Causes and risk factors of adenomyosis

The growth of adenomyosis depends on the hormone estrogen, and the exact cause behind it isn’t clear, but there are some theories about it:

• Inflammation of the uterus lining after childbirth.
• After surgeries, endometrial cells may grow into the muscle wall of the uterus.
• Bone marrow stem cells may transform and act like endometrial cells in the uterine muscle.
• If the period blood flows back from the uterus into the fallopian tubes and pelvic cavity instead of outside the body.
• The risk of adenomyosis increases due to the following factors: ages between 40 and 50, prior uterine surgery (such as removing uterine fibroids or dilation and curettage), giving birth at least once, and having endometriosis.

Symptoms of adenomyosis

Some patients with adenomyosis may not have any symptoms, which include:

• Heavy periods or periods that last for a long time.
• Severe pain or cramping.
• Abnormal menstruation.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Pelvic pain.
• Expanded uterus.
• Adenomyosis can lead to anemia, problems during pregnancy (such as miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight), and maybe infertility.

Diagnosis of adenomyosis

• Examining the pelvis.
• Ultrasound.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of adenomyosis

• Medications.
• Surgery to remove adenomyosis from the uterine muscle or a hysterectomy in some cases.