Both #adenomyosis and #endometriosis are disorders of the endometrial tissue that lines the cavity of the uterus. Although similar, these disorders develop differently, have different symptoms, and are diagnoised differently.
In adenomyosis, endometrial cells grow within the walls of the uterus. In endometriosis, endometrial cells establish themselves outside of the uterus. These tissues are commonly found on the supporting ligaments of the uterus, the ovaries, and in the cavities of the pelvis. Although rare, endometriosis can spread beyond the pelvic organs.
I was diagnosed with adenomyosis in 2018. Before my diagnosis I had never heard of this condition but I was kind of familiar with endometriosis. Some of the symptoms are similar such as painful periods, pain during sex, and pelvic pain.
Adenomyosis symptoms include:
abnormal bleeding or prolonged periods
very painful periods
pain during sex
bleeding between periods
worsening uterine cramps
general pain in the pelvic area
a feeling of pressure on bladder and rectum
infertility
an enlarged uterus
Endometriosis symptoms include:
painful urination and painful bowel movements
pain with periods
pain during sex
excessive bleeding, or bleeding between periods
infertility
nausea, fatigue, constipation, and diarrhea, especially during your period
Women can have one, or both of these disorders. A 2017 survey of 300 women who were diagnosed with adenomyosis between 2008 and 2016 found that 42.3 percent of these women also had Endometriosis.
That's not all that surprising...
Another study from the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics shares a similar outcome, linking the two conditions. This 2015 study found that there is an 80.6% chance of having endometriosis if you have adenomyosis. And there is a 91.1% chance of having adenomyosis if you have endometriosis.
Diagnosis
Endo What reports that one in 10 women have Endometriosis. They also say each of these women go an average of 10 years before being diagnosed. I started looking for answers to my menstrual problems in early 2010. I wasn't diagnosed with adenomyosis until 2018. I can't really say if adenomyosis was the cause of my symptoms and pain back then, but I do know that my concerns about my lady parts, menstrual and reproductive health were dismissed as normal over and over again.
When I was finally diagnosed, I was diagnosed via transvaginal ultrasound, also called endovaginal ultrasound. In the past adenomyosis was diagnosed by examining tissue samples after uterine surgery, in hysterectomy specimens.
Today there many more non-invasive ways to diagnosis adenomyosis including:
transvaginal ultrasound
MRI
sonohysterography, where saline solution is injected through a tiny tube into the uterus as an ultrasound is given
Endometriosis is diagnosed via:
transvaginal ultrasound
MRI
laparoscopic surgery, a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that only requires small incisions. This allows the surgeon to view inside of the abdomen to look for signs of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus.
Treatment
While diagnosis methods have advanced, treatment options for both adenomyosis and endometriosis are limited.
Current treatment for adenomyosis and endometriosis:
GnRH hormone therapies for pain suppression and regressing endometrial tissues. GnRH agonists are modified versions of naturally occurring hormones. This method has been used for more than 20 years to treat endometriosis and are administered via injections or nasal spray.
Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD to treat heavy mensural bleeding
Oral birth control pills
Uterus-sparring adenomyomectomy, the excision of adenomyosis
hysteroscopic endomyometrial ablation
hysterectomy, removal of the uterus (adenomyosis)
hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries (endometriosis)
laparoscopic surgery (endometriosis)
Coping
Experts from the Mayo Clinic recommend a number of coping techniques for women who live with endo, including heat therapy.
Heat therapy is also effective against endometriosis pain. Heat boosts blood flow and helps muscles relax, which reduces pain. Heat therapy is a safe complementary therapy to use in addition to your medications to cope with endometriosis pain.
These same Mayo Clinic experts promote stress management, including some lifestyle changes that can lessen stress, improve mental health, and manage pain.
Treat your body well. Get regular sleep, eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly. Both fat loss and exercise also reduce estrogen levels in the body, which can improve your endometriosis symptoms.
Be positive. Think encouraging thoughts, and speak kindly to yourself.
Seek support. Connect with a therapist, counselor or support group if you feel like you're struggling. You don't need to deal with your pain alone.
Nutritional therapist, Katie Edmonds of Heal Endo, echos these things, too. In her approach, she promotes healing the gut, eating a nutrient-dense diet, reducing stress, and becoming more active overall.
Endo and adenomyosis can steal your energy, your happiness, and your day. Everyone's path to healing will be unique. The reason why I'm sharing all of this is to foster a conversation about women's health issues that aren't typically discussed and to bring new ideas and insight to women who are searching for ways to heal.
In 2018 I had never heard of adenomyosis. Doctors would ask me for a brief medical history rundown and I wasn't even able to pronounce adenomyosis or spell it correctly. Since being diagnosed I've taken accountability for my health -- full picture -- and set out to find out more about the community, the research, and those who are living with this condition day-to-day, just like me.
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