Adenomyosis : Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment
What is Adenomyosis ?
With pathology, tissue from the liner of the womb grows into the female internal reproductive organ wall, enlarging the womb. Symptoms embody significant periods, cramping, painful sex and physiological state. secretion therapies will ease symptoms. Extirpation offers permanent relief.
Adenomyosis could be a condition of the feminine genital system. It causes the womb to thicken and enlarge.
Medical terms
Adenomyosis is a medical condition that occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus (myometrium). This can cause the uterus to become enlarged, tender, and can lead to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, as well as pain during menstruation.
The exact cause of adenomyosis is not well understood, but it is more commonly found in women who have had children and is most often diagnosed in middle-aged women. The condition is different from endometriosis, although they share some similarities. In endometriosis, the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
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Symptoms Adenomyosis
Sometimes, adenomyosis causes no signs or symptoms or only mild discomfort. However, adenomyosis can cause:
Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
Severe cramping or sharp, knifelike pelvic pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
Chronic pelvic pain
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
Your uterus might get bigger. Although you might not know if your uterus is bigger, you may notice tenderness or pressure in your lower abdomen.
When to see a doctor
If you've got prolonged, significant hemorrhage or severe cramping throughout your periods that interferes along with your regular activities, build an arrangement to check your doctor.
Causes Adenomyosis
The cause of adenomyosis isn't known. There have been many theories, including:
Invasive tissue growth. Some experts believe that endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus invade the muscle that forms the uterine walls. Uterine incisions made during an operation such as a cesarean section (C-section) might promote the direct invasion of the endometrial cells into the wall of the uterus.
Developmental origins. Other experts suspect that endometrial tissue is deposited in the uterine muscle when the uterus is first formed in the fetus.
Uterine inflammation related to childbirth. Another theory suggests a link between endometriosis and birth. Inflammation of the female internal reproductive organ lining throughout the postnatal amount would possibly cause a change within the traditional boundary of cells that line the womb.
- Stem cell origins. A recent theory proposes that bone marrow stem cells would possibly invade the female internal reproductive organ muscle, inflicting pathology.Regardless of however pathology develops, its growth depends on the body's current sex hormone.
Risk factors Adenomyosis
Risk factors for adenomyosis include:
Prior uterine surgery, such as C-section, fibroid removal, or dilatation and curettage (D&C)
Childbirth
Middle age
Most cases of endometriosis — that depends on estrogen — are found in girls in their 40s and 50s. Endometriosis in these girls might relate to longer exposure to estrogen compared therewith of younger ladies. However, current analysis suggests that the condition may additionally be common in younger ladies.
Complications Adenomyosis
If you frequently have prolonged, serious hemorrhage throughout your periods, you'll develop chronic anemia, that causes fatigue and different health issues.
Although not harmful, the pain and excessive hemorrhage related to endometriosis will disrupt your manner. would possibly|you would possibly|you may} avoid activities you have enjoyed within the past as a result of being in pain, otherwise you worry that you just might begin hemorrhage.
Diagnosis Adenomyosis
Some other female internal reproductive organ conditions will cause signs and symptoms kind of like those of pathology, creating pathology troublesome to diagnose. These conditions embody fibroid tumors (leiomyomas), female internal reproductive organ cells growing outside the womb (endometriosis) and growths within the female internal reproductive organ lining (endometrial polyps).
Your doctor may conclude that you just have pathology solely once ruling out alternative doable causes for your signs and symptoms.
Your doctor may suspect adenomyosis based on:
Signs and symptoms
A pelvic exam that reveals an enlarged, tender uterus
Ultrasound imaging of the uterus
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the uterus
- Pap smear
In some instances, your doctor may collect a sample of female internal reproductive organ tissue for testing (endometrial biopsy) to ensure you do not have an additional serious condition. However, an Associate in Nursing mucosa diagnostic assay will not facilitate your doctor making an identification of pathology.
Pelvic imaging like ultrasound and MRI will discover signs of pathology, however the sole thanks is to make sure it's to look at the female internal reproductive organ once cutting out.
Treatment Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis often goes away after menopause, so treatment might depend on how close you are to that stage of life.
Treatment options for adenomyosis include:
Anti-inflammatory drugs. Your doctor may suggest medicinal drug medications, like Advil (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to regulate the pain. By beginning Associate in Nursing medicinal drug drugs one to 2 days before your amount begins and taking it throughout your amount, you'll be able to scale back blood flow and facilitate relieve pain.
Hormone medications. Combined estrogen-progestin contraception pills or hormone-containing patches or duct rings may reduce significant hurt and pain related to pathology. Progestin-only contraceptive methods, like associate degree birth control devices, or continuous-use contraception pills usually cause amenorrhoea — the absence of your expelling periods — which could offer some relief.
Hysterectomy. If your pain is severe and no alternative treatments have worked, your doctor would possibly counsel surgery to get rid of your womb. Removing your ovaries is not necessary to regulate endometriosis.
Lifestyle and home remedies
To ease pelvic pain and cramping related to adenomyosis, try these tips:
Soak in a warm bath.
Use a heating pad on your abdomen.
Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
Preparing for your appointment
Your first appointment will be with either your primary care provider or your gynecologist.
What you can do
Make a list of:
Your signs and symptoms, and when they began
All medications, vitamins and other supplements you take, including dosages
Medical information, including menstrual and childbirth history
Questions to ask your doctor
For adenomyosis, basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Are there medications I can take to improve my symptoms?
Under what circumstances do you recommend surgery?
Could my condition affect my ability to become pregnant?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor might ask you:
When do symptoms typically occur?
How severe are your symptoms?
When was your last period?
Could you be pregnant?
Are you using a birth control method? If so, which one?
Do your symptoms seem to be related to your menstrual cycle?
Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
Does anything make your symptoms worse?
General summary
Diagnosis of adenomyosis is typically done through imaging studies such as ultrasound or MRI, and in some cases, a doctor may recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options for adenomyosis may include pain medications, hormonal therapies, or in severe cases, a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).
It's important for individuals experiencing symptoms suggestive of adenomyosis to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and management.