Adenomyosis, (ad-uh-no-my-O-sis) occurs when endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, exists within and grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — thickening, breaking down and bleeding — during each menstrual cycle. Blood will gradually collect in the muscle, and an enlarged uterus and painful, heavy periods can result.
Symptoms most often start late in the childbearing years after having children, but can be a cause of infertility. If adenomyosis is severe, it can interfere with normal blood flow to the lining of the uterus, and prevent normal implantation and pregnancy from occurring.
The cause of adenomyosis remains unknown, but the disease typically disappears after menopause. For women who experience severe discomfort from adenomyosis, certain treatments can help, but hysterectomy is often recommended. Sometimes, adenomyosis is silent — causing no signs or symptoms — or only mildly uncomfortable. For women who want to maintain their fertility, medications can shrink the adenomyosis, and allow normal implantation and pregnancy to occur. More info on adenomyosis…
