While I don't suffer from adenomyosis (adeno) myself, a lot of endometriosis warriors do. Adeno is actually considered the sister disease of endometriosis, but what is it? Well, since April is Adenomyosis Awareness Month, I thought this would be the perfect time to advocate for it!
Definition:
"A condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium)."
Symptoms:
- Heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle
- Severe cramps
- Bloating
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Painful intercourse
Cause: While the cause of adeno isn't known, there are a few theories-
- Invasive tissue growth: some believe endometrial cells from the uterine lining invade the muscle on the wall of the uterus.
- Developmental: Tissue is first formed in the fetus.
- Uterine inflammation due to childbirth: Inflammation of the uterine lining during childbirth may cause a break in the boundary cells that line the uterus.
- Stem cell origins: The most recent origin story theorizes that bone marrow stem cells might invade the muscle of the uterus.
Risk Factors:
- Uterine surgery (c-section, etc.)
- Childbirth
- Middle age (BUT adeno can affect people of all ages!)
Diagnosis:
Historically, the only way to diagnose adeno was through performing a hysterectomy (surgically removing the uterus) and examining the tissue. Now, doctors are able to use imaging technology like MRI or transvaginal ultrasound to see the disease in the uterus (yay for evolving medical technology!).
Cure:
The only way to cure adeno is through a hysterectomy and this is the route many people take who have severe symptoms (@endostrong on Instagram is one of my favorite endo/adeno bloggers and she is very open about her hysterectomy!).
Treatments:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Hormone therapy
- Uterine artery embolization
- Endometrial ablation (different than that for endo)
Sources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adenomyosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369138
- https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/adenomyosis-symptoms-causes-treatments
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