Adenomyosis :-
In this the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus enlarge into the muscle of the uterus.
This state makes the uterine walls thicker and twist the vasculature (blood vessels), which can give rise to heavy, prolonged, and painful periods.
Adenomyosis is also connected with pain while sexual intercourse, as well as infertility.
Adenomyosis is not the same as endometriosis, which take place when the endometrial lining enlarge outside of the uterus. People with adenomyosis can also have or can get endometriosis.
Adenomyosis is believed to be estrogen-dependent or hormone-sensitive.
It commonly disappears after menopause, which takes place 12 months after a person’s final menstrual period. Menopause is also when estrogen levels reduce.
Symptoms of Adenomyosis :-
Symptoms of this state can be lenient to critical. Some people can not undergo any at all.
The most usual symptoms include :
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding,
• Painful menstrual cramps,
• Blood clots while menstrual bleeding,
• Pain while sexual intercourse
• Infertility.
Causes of Adenomyosis :-
The main cause of adenomyosis is not known.
There are many different theories about what causes this condition.
They involve :
• Invasive growth of endometrial cells into the uterine muscle -
This can be beacause of an cut made in the uterus in surgery (like a cesarean delivery) or during normal uterine functioning
uterine inflammation that take place after childbirth this can break the common boundaries of the cells that line the uterus
More amount of tissues in the uterine wall, which are there before birth and increase during adulthood stem cells in the myometrium, or uterine muscle wall.
Diagnosis of Adenomyosis :-
Diagnosing adenomyosis starts with a visit to the doctor. The doctor will probably take a medical history and does an physical and pelvic exam.
A woman will frequently feel tenderness in her uterus while the pelvic exam is done. If a doctor thinks that a woman’s uterus feels slightly enlarged, and they suspect adenomyosis, the doctor can consider other tests, including :
• Ultrasound -
This allows the doctor to inspect pockets of the uterus lining tissue in the muscle of the uterus. Although, this can give rise to a misdiagnosis, because these pockets can sometimes look like another state known as uterine fibroids.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -
An MRI scan is the better way for the doctor to look at the inner muscle of the uterus.
• Endometrial biopsy-
Some of the times, the doctor will take a small sample of the endometrial tissue in the uterus for the test. While it will not help in the diagnosis of adenomyosis, it will find out other causes of a woman’s symptoms.
These testing methods will not give a specific diagnosis, although. It is only possible to definitively diagnose adenomyosis once a woman has had a hysterectomy and a specialized doctor known as a pathologist survey the uterus under the microscope.
Treatment of Adenomyosis :-
Without treatment, adenomyosis can remain the same or symptoms can get very bad.
Treatment is not necessary if a woman does not have symptoms, is not trying for pregnancy, or is nearing menopause, which is when most women find relief from their symptoms.
Although, there are many different treatment options present to women with this state :
• Anti-inflammatory medications -
Medications like ibuprofen can decrease pain and discomfort.
• Hormonal medications -
Some hormonal treatments, like oral contraceptive pills, progestin IUD’s, or injection (Depo-Provera), can help lower the symptoms.
• Injectable medications - These medications can produce false or temporary menopause. These are only used in the short-term and are not suitable for long-term use.
• Uterine artery embolization -
This include placing a tube in a major artery in the groin and injecting small particles into the area affected by adenomyosis. This stops the blood supply to reach the affected area, which will contract the adenomyosis and decrease the symptoms.
• Hysterectomy -
The only final treatment for adenomyosis is fully removal of the uterus. It is not a good option for women who has to still become pregnant.