Adenomyosis is frequently associated with other pelvic pathologies such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, which makes it even more difficult to understand which symptoms are caused by adenomyosis.
It’s a benign condition and represents the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium of the uterus. The myometrium is the middle layer of the uterus and It is made up mostly of smooth muscle.
Adenomyosis is frequently associated with other pelvic pathologies such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, which makes it even more difficult to understand which symptoms are caused by adenomyosis.
Adenomyosis symptoms
Adenomyosis symptoms can vary from person to person. In some individuals adenomyosis can cause menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pressure, and bloating before menstrual periods and can result in heavy periods and in others it can be asymptomatic. Adenomyosis can also affect infertility.
Some of adenomyosis symptoms are:
- Heavy or prolonged menstruation;
- Extremely painful menstruation;
- Pain during intercourse;
- Painful bowel movements;
- Pain during urination;
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding;
Adenomyosis statistics
Adenomyosis is asymptomatic in 1/3 of cases;
Up to 50% of infertility people are affected by adenomyosis;
Current studies shows that approximately 4/5 of cases with adenomyosis coexist with uterine fibroids and endometriosis;
Some of the most common symptoms are heavy bleeding, menstrual pain, abnormal bleeding (between periods) and pain during intercourse;
So far the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs for the treatment of adenomyosis;
Although the exact prevalence of adenomyosis is unknown, based on estimation adenomyosis has an an incidence of up 70%;
About 20 to 30% of hysterectomies have adenomyosis;
Adenomyosis diagnosis and treatment
Adenomyois can be suspected based on one symptom and scans or MRI can offer better information or more details about the type of adenomyosis. The correct diagnosis is made on the surgical specimen, which is the uterus. In terms of treatment, hysterectomy is the only definite way to treat adenomyosis.
