Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two painful progressive disorders, both involving endometrial tissue.
Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of cells outside the uterus, typically in the ovaries, pelvic cavities, and ligaments that support the uterus.
The most common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, painful sexual intercourse, painful bowel movements, painful urination, pelvic pain, fatigue, and nausea.
Endometriosis can be treated with medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hormonal birth control, aromatase inhibitors, muscle relaxers, and anti-convulsant medications.
In the field of surgery, endometriosis can be treated with robotic excision of endometriosis, which preserves the ability to get pregnant while removing the problem-causing tissue, or robotic hysterectomy, when all other options have been explored, or if the woman does not want to get pregnant.
At the moment, the exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but researchers are exploring potential connections to conditions like retrograde menstruation, immune system disorders, hormone imbalances, and family history. Risk factors for endometriosis include short menstrual cycles (fewer than 27 days between periods), long and heavy periods (periods last longer than eight days), and never having children.
Over time, endometrial-like tissue growth outside the uterus can lead to cysts, adhesions, and scar tissue, causing long-term severe pain and potential fertility issues.
In adenomyosis, cells grow inside the uterine wall, leading to thickening of the walls, pain, and excessive bleeding. Common symptoms of adenomyosis include painful periods, painful sex, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, heavy menstrual periods, infertility, and enlarged uterus.
The exact cause of adenomyosis is not fully understood, but hormones, genetics, and inflammation/trauma may play a role.
Adenomyosis is most common in women between the ages of 40 and 50 who have given birth at least once, had prior uterine surgeries, or have endometriosis.
Diagnosis of adenomyosis may involve a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound, imaging scans like magnetic resonance imaging, and biopsy for further evaluation.
Treatment options for adenomyosis include NSAIDs, hormone medications, robotic-assisted surgery, and hysterectomy. Traditional laparoscopic surgery has posed issues for adenomyosis because of its placement within the uterus. However, we are now able to successfully provide robotic excision of adenomyosis, which preserves the ability to conceive a child. In hysterectomy, the uterus is removed during this procedure, and a woman won’t be able to get pregnant or have a menstrual cycle after a hysterectomy.
Adenomyosis typically does not cause serious complications or life-threatening dangers but can result in heavy bleeding, prolonged menstrual bleeding, and pelvic pain.
Article submitted by the HPA Group
