Adenomyosis is a lesser-known but significantly debilitating gynecological disorder that is commonly mistaken for endometriosis. Commonly referred to as the 'evil twin sister' of endometriosis, adenomyosis occurs in millions of women across the globe and has symptoms such as intense pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, and also spells fertility issues. Though it is a common disorder, adenomyosis is underdiagnosed, and many women languish in silence. Knowing its causes, symptoms, and treatments can help increase awareness and provide timely medical care.

Adenomyosis is when endometrial cells—typically restricted to the lining of the uterus—break through the myometrium, the muscular wall of the uterus. In contrast to endometriosis, in which the same tissue develops outside the uterus, adenomyosis is inside the uterus but produces serious complications. These out-of-place endometrial cells continue to act as they would in a regular menstrual cycle, becoming thick and shedding, which leads to internal bleeding, inflammation, and intense pain.

How Common Is Adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is more common than most individuals understand. Research indicates that as many as one in three women have the condition, although many of them are symptom-free or mistakenly attribute their symptoms to normal menstrual pain. Adenomyosis mostly occurs among women aged between 30s, 40s, and 50s, with the symptoms usually worsening as they draw closer to menopause.

Symptoms of Adenomyosis

The signs of adenomyosis are mild to severe and tend to overlap with the signs of endometriosis, which can make diagnosis complicated. The most frequent signs are:

Severe menstrual cramping: Women who have adenomyosis tend to have severe, debilitating pain that occurs during menstruation.

Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding: A lot of bleeding can cause anemia, fatigue, and weakness.

Pelvic pain and pressure: As the uterus expands as a result of the condition, it may create discomfort and bloating.

Painful intercourse: Dyspareunia (painful sex) is another quality-of-life-impacting distressing symptom.

Bleeding between menstrual periods: Some women have irregular spotting or bleeding outside of their menstrual period.

Adenomyosis and Fertility: Is There a Connection?

The relationship between adenomyosis and fertility continues to be the subject of research. Adenomyosis does not cause infertility, but it does provide an environment that is not conducive to implantation and pregnancy. The displaced endometrial tissue has the potential to cause irregular blood flow, persistent inflammation, and interference with normal uterine structure, all of which may complicate conception and successful pregnancy. In 2005, a study indicated that 79% of infertile women had both endometriosis and adenomyosis, reinforcing the possible role in reproductive illness.

Diagnosing Adenomyosis

Historically, adenomyosis could be diagnosed only microscopically from uterine tissue after a hysterectomy. Today, however, developments in imaging technologies have greatly enhanced early diagnosis. Doctors now can utilize:

Transvaginal ultrasound: An imaging test that is not invasive and may demonstrate uterine thickening and abnormal tissue growth.

MRI scans: Magnetic resonance imaging shows more detailed visualization of the uterus and is used to distinguish adenomyosis from related conditions such as fibroids or endometriosis.

Unfortunately, most women say that their symptoms are frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed because healthcare providers lack specialized knowledge. Increased awareness and better diagnostic methods are needed for early detection and proper management.

Treatment Options for Adenomyosis

No absolute cure for adenomyosis exists except for a hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus. Nevertheless, several treatment options can alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life. These include:

1. Pain Relief

Ibuprofen and naproxen, over-the-counter pain medications, are usually prescribed to relieve menstrual cramps and pain. Prescription pain medication may be required in more serious cases.

2. Hormonal Treatment

Birth control pills: Although effective in controlling periods and minimizing bleeding, birth control does not cure adenomyosis; it only suppresses symptoms.

Hormonal IUD (Intrauterine Device): The Mirena IUD, for example, releases progesterone to assist in lessening heavy bleeding and pain.

Progesterone therapy: High-dose progesterone treatments can help shrink endometrial tissue and lessen symptoms.

3. Lupron Injections (GnRH Agonists)

GnRH agonists, such as Lupron, induce temporary menopause by suppressing estrogen production, thereby reducing adenomyosis symptoms. However, these injections can cause severe side effects, including mood swings, hot flashes, and bone density loss, making them unsuitable for long-term use.

4. Surgical Intervention

Endometrial Ablation: This involves the removal of the uterine lining to manage heavy bleeding but is not a permanent solution and is not suitable for women who want to become pregnant.

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): A non-surgical procedure that cuts off blood supply to the affected areas, reducing the size of the adenomyotic tissue.

Hysterectomy: The only permanent solution for adenomyosis, a hysterectomy is usually considered as a last option for women who have finished their childbearing years.

Psychological Effects of Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis can have a physically and emotionally draining effect on a woman's life. Ongoing pain, tiredness, and excessive bleeding can affect daily activities greatly, triggering anxiety, depression, and decreased general well-being. Women with the condition tend to experience trouble in their workplaces, relationships, and social settings. Getting support from doctors, therapists, or support groups can help alleviate much-needed emotional comfort and coping skills.

Adenomyosis is still an under-talked-about and frequently misdiagnosed disorder, with many women not even knowing they are suffering. Greater education, better diagnostic techniques, and more treatment choices are needed to offer improved care. If you think you have adenomyosis, see a gynecologist to talk about symptoms, have appropriate diagnostic tests, and consider treatment. With the proper support and management, it is achievable to live a complete and pain-free life despite adenomyosis challenges.

There was a time when skincare felt like a competitive sport. People layered acids, scrubbed their faces raw, and measured success in stings, peels, and redness. But times are changing. A new, science-backed wave is sweeping in, one that values results without leaving your skin feeling like it has been through a survival reality show.

From Shelf Overload to Skincare Simplicity

The modern approach is a gentler, more measured one: using well-formulated products that are kind to the skin barrier but still pack enough punch to make a visible difference. And the best part? You only need a few steps, not a 12-item shopping list.

The Four Steps That Actually Work

Malini Adapureddy, Founder of Deconstruct Skincare, swears by a routine that’s simple enough to remember before coffee and effective enough to see results in weeks. Designed for Indian skin and climate, this four-step method covers the essentials: cleansing, treating, moisturising, and protecting.

Step 1: The Clean Slate

Step 2: The Targeted Glow Shot

Unlike some actives that feel like they’re burning through your soul, this combination is gentle enough for daily use.

Step 3: The Barrier Hug

Step 4: The Non-Negotiable

Why Gentle Works Better Than You Think

Consistency is the secret here. When your skin isn’t constantly fighting irritation, it can focus on repairing itself, building resilience, and looking better over time.

If you’ve been coughing for weeks, blaming it on “lingering winter sniffles” or chalking it up to “just getting older,” it might be time to step away from the cough syrup and lean in for some uncomfortable truth. Your cough could be more than a seasonal annoyance. In rare but serious cases, it could be a red flag for a life-limiting condition called pulmonary fibrosis.

What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

In plain terms, “pulmonary” means lungs, and “fibrosis” means scarring. It’s a serious, progressive condition where lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff, making it increasingly hard to breathe.

Reportedly, there’s currently no cure. Treatments exist, but they mainly slow down the damage rather than reverse it. The sooner you get diagnosed, the better your chances of managing symptoms and that’s where spotting the signs early is crucial.

Symptoms to Watch For

Shortness of breath (especially when climbing stairs or speed-walking to catch the bus)

Why That Cough Happens

Coughing is your body’s bouncer, booting out anything that might harm your lungs — dust, smoke, rogue crumbs, the works. The process involves your vocal cords clamping shut, then snapping open with a burst of air.

With pulmonary fibrosis, this reflex can get stuck on a loop. Coughing irritates the vocal cords, which makes you cough more, which irritates them further, a vicious cycle that can turn even a quiet cup of tea into a coughing fit.

The Four Flavours of Cough

Acute cough – Lasts less than three weeks; often tied to infections or irritants.

Coughs can also be:

Dry/unproductive – Triggered by things like temperature changes, dusty air, or laughing.

Who’s More at Risk?

While pulmonary fibrosis can happen to anyone, your risk might be higher if you:

Are over 50

Managing the Cough

A pulmonary fibrosis cough often doesn’t respond to standard cough medicines. Instead, treatment usually focuses on easing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Your doc may recommend alternative medications used for chronic cough in other conditions. These don’t cure the scarring but can make the coughing less intrusive. They’ll also want to check for other contributing factors like acid reflux, sinus issues, or side effects from medication, because if those are making things worse, tackling them can help.

Everyday Coping Tricks

While you work with your doctor, you can try a few lifestyle tweaks to manage coughing fits:

Avoid smoky, dusty, or heavily polluted spaces

Pulmonary fibrosis is rare, but catching it early can mean more treatment options and better management. Plus, you’ll finally know whether your cough is from a stubborn cold or something that needs closer attention. Your cough could be a harmless side effect of a dusty ceiling fan or it could be your body waving a red flag.

If you’ve ever stared at a packet of mixed nuts wondering whether to sprinkle them over your porridge or just eat them by the handful, here’s your permission slip: go for it. According to Dr Sarah Berry, a professor at King’s College London and Chief Scientist at ZOE, nuts and seeds are not just snackable; they are good for cholesterol crunching. In fact, swap some of your less healthy fats for these nutritional powerhouses, and you could lower your cholesterol by up to 10 per cent in just 10 days. That is faster than most fad diets.

The 10-Day Cholesterol Challenge

High cholesterol often feels like one of those invisible problems, until it suddenly is not. It can quietly build up in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But Dr Berry, during an appearance on the Zoe podcast, said that you can make a real difference in under two weeks by tweaking, not overhauling, your diet. It’s not about eating less fat; it’s about eating the right kind of fat.

And this is where most people get it wrong. “Don’t do a low-fat diet,” Dr Berry warns, calling the idea “radical” to anyone still following decades-old advice. Instead, aim for a moderate-fat diet rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats—exactly the kinds you’ll find in nuts, seeds, and certain oils.

Why Low-Fat Diets Miss the Point

It is tempting to think cutting fat will cut cholesterol, but Dr Berry explains that’s a trap. Not all fats are bad. Saturated fats, found in red meat and some processed foods, can push LDL cholesterol—often dubbed “bad” cholesterol—into dangerous territory. But polyunsaturated fats, abundant in seeds, seed oils, and many nuts, do the opposite.

Simply adding nuts to your meals, whether as a snack, salad topping, or nut butter, can slash LDL cholesterol by 5 to 10 per cent. You have to make a swap. This benefit comes from replacing “harmful” fats, like those in certain animal products and fried foods, with healthier plant-based fats.

Seeds: The Cholesterol Fighters

Sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds—they’re all loaded with polyunsaturated fatty acids that support heart health. Stir them into yoghurt, blend them into smoothies, or scatter them over roasted veggies. You’ll barely notice the extra effort, but your arteries will thank you.

Seed oils, like sunflower and flaxseed oil, can also be smart choices in moderation, adding healthy fats to your cooking without the cholesterol-raising impact of certain animal fats.

Rethinking Dairy, Meat, and Carbs

Dr Berry isn’t out to demonise all animal products. Fermented dairy like yoghurt and cheese gets a surprising green light. These foods, she says, don’t have the cholesterol-raising effect you might expect from their saturated fat content. That’s not permission to live on brie and cheddar, but it is a reason to stop fearing your cheese board.

Red meat, however, is a different story. Packed with saturated fats, it’s a direct contributor to rising cholesterol levels. Swapping steak nights for lentil stews or chickpea curries a couple of times a week could make a noticeable difference to your numbers.

Then there’s the carbohydrate conundrum. The real trouble lies with refined carbs like white bread, white rice, and sugary snacks. These are rapidly processed by your body and can be converted into triglycerides, which worsen cholesterol profiles. But whole grains are firmly in the “good for you” column. Wholegrain bread, brown rice, oats, and quinoa can help improve cholesterol levels when they replace the refined stuff.

Building Your 10-Day Cholesterol Menu

Swap your morning white toast for porridge topped with walnuts and chia seeds. Your mid-morning biscuit could become a small handful of almonds. At lunch, toss sunflower seeds into your salad, and use olive or sunflower oil for dressing. Dinner might feature grilled salmon or chickpeas instead of steak, with a side of quinoa instead of white rice.

Why This Works So Fast

Cholesterol levels can be surprisingly responsive to dietary changes. LDL cholesterol particles are constantly being produced and cleared from your bloodstream. When you replace saturated fats with healthier fats, you improve your body’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol. Combine that with reducing refined carbs and upping your wholegrain intake, and the improvement can be measurable in just days.

Dr Berry’s advice is refreshingly realistic: no calorie counting, no extreme restrictions, just sensible swaps. It’s about building habits you can maintain beyond the initial 10 days, keeping your cholesterol low for the long haul.

Forget the idea that lowering cholesterol means bland food and joyless salads. With nuts, seeds, and the right fats, you can eat deliciously and still give your heart a health boost in record time.