Health and Me

Ishita Roy

We've Heard About Endometriosis, But What Is Adenomyosis And How Did It Become A Missed Disease?

Adenomyosis

Many women are speaking up about their delayed diagnosis for <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/endometriosis">endometriosis</a></span>, which affects 42 million women in India, and around 250 million women worldwide. However, what not many are talking about is <span>adenomyosis</span>, which affects around 1 in 5 premenopausal women. 

It is when a tissue similar to the lining of your uterus or the endometrium starts to grow muscle wall of your uterus. It causes the uterus to thicken and enlarge, sometimes double or even triple the usual size. 

It could lead to painful and heavy period and prolonged menstrual bleeding with clotting and abdominal or pelvic pain. 

To get a better understanding, Health and Me spoke to Dr Prachi Sarin Sethi, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Motherhood Hospitals, Gurugram, who said, “Adenomyosis is one of the most underdiagnosed causes of chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, and infertility, often mistaken for fibroids or endometriosis.”

The worst part, like in the case of endometriosis, women are often told that their symptoms of "normal", pointed out the doctor. 

"Painful periods should never be dismissed as a routine part of womanhood. Persistent symptoms deserve medical attention," she says. The doctor also explains that in this condition, the trapped tissue "behaves like normal menstrual lining, but it cannot exit the body and so it leads to ongoing pain and uterine enlargement". 

While the cause is yet not known, doctor points out it is due to hormonal imbalance, especially excess estrogen. "The condition is most commonly seen in women between 30 and 45 years of age, particularly those with a history of childbirth or uterine surgery."

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/is-uterus-removal-the-only-treatment-for-endometriosis-article-151067118" data-type="tilCustomLink">Is Uterus Removal The Only Treatment For Endometriosis?</a>

The diagnosis is often missed because the symptoms closely overlap with fibroids and endometriosis, which makes the accurate diagnosis challenging. “Unlike fibroids, adenomyosis causes diffuse thickening of the uterine muscle, and unlike endometriosis, it remains confined within the uterus,” explains Dr Sarin Sethi. However, with better imaging techniques and increased awareness, adenomyosis can now be diagnosed earlier and more accurately. 

<h2>What Are The Common Symptoms Of Adenomyosis?</h2>

About 1 in 3 people with adenomyosis do not show any signs or symptoms, however, those who do, these could be the common symptoms:

<ul><li>Painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).</li><li>Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).</li><li>Abnormal menstruation.</li><li>Pelvic pain with or without severe cramping.</li><li>Painful intercourse (dyspareunia).</li><li>Infertility.</li><li>Enlarged uterus.</li><li>Bloating or fullness in your belly (adenomyosis belly).</li></ul>

<h2>How Can One Diagnose Adenomyosis?</h2>

Pelvic Examination could tell whether your uterus has gotten larger, softer, or is painful to the touch. 

Ultrasound can also produce images of your pelvic organs and show whether there is any thickening of the uterus wall. 

Imaging scans using MRI could show uterine enlargement and thickening of certain areas of your uterus. 

Dr Sarin Sethi says, “Contrary to popular belief, adenomyosis does not always require removal of the uterus, and many women can be managed with fertility-preserving treatments.”

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Many women are speaking up about their delayed diagnosis for endometriosis, which affects 42 million women in India, and around 250 million women worldwide. However, what not many are talking about is adenomyosis, which affects around 1 in 5 premenopausal women. What Is Adenomyosis?It is when a tissue similar to the lining of your uterus or the endometrium starts to grow muscle wall of your uterus. It causes the uterus to thicken and enlarge, sometimes double or even triple the usual size. It could lead to painful and heavy period and prolonged menstrual bleeding with clotting and abdominal or pelvic pain. To get a better understanding, Health and Me spoke to Dr Prachi Sarin Sethi, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Motherhood Hospitals, Gurugram, who said, “Adenomyosis is one of the most underdiagnosed causes of chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, and infertility, often mistaken for fibroids or endometriosis.”The worst part, like in the case of endometriosis, women are often told that their symptoms of "normal", pointed out the doctor. "Painful periods should never be dismissed as a routine part of womanhood. Persistent symptoms deserve medical attention," she says. The doctor also explains that in this condition, the trapped tissue "behaves like normal menstrual lining, but it cannot exit the body and so it leads to ongoing pain and uterine enlargement". While the cause is yet not known, doctor points out it is due to hormonal imbalance, especially excess estrogen. "The condition is most commonly seen in women between 30 and 45 years of age, particularly those with a history of childbirth or uterine surgery."Read: Is Uterus Removal The Only Treatment For Endometriosis?The diagnosis is often missed because the symptoms closely overlap with fibroids and endometriosis, which makes the accurate diagnosis challenging. “Unlike fibroids, adenomyosis causes diffuse thickening of the uterine muscle, and unlike endometriosis, it remains confined within the uterus,” explains Dr Sarin Sethi. However, with better imaging techniques and increased awareness, adenomyosis can now be diagnosed earlier and more accurately. What Are The Common Symptoms Of Adenomyosis?    About 1 in 3 people with adenomyosis do not show any signs or symptoms, however, those who do, these could be the common symptoms:Painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).Abnormal menstruation.Pelvic pain with or without severe cramping.Painful intercourse (dyspareunia).Infertility.Enlarged uterus.Bloating or fullness in your belly (adenomyosis belly).How Can One Diagnose Adenomyosis?Pelvic Examination could tell whether your uterus has gotten larger, softer, or is painful to the touch. Ultrasound can also produce images of your pelvic organs and show whether there is any thickening of the uterus wall. Imaging scans using MRI could show uterine enlargement and thickening of certain areas of your uterus. Dr Sarin Sethi says, “Contrary to popular belief, adenomyosis does not always require removal of the uterus, and many women can be managed with fertility-preserving treatments.”