Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Adenomyosis

Nollywood actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim recently opened up about her struggles to conceive and why, eventually, she had to remove her womb.

The award-winning actress revealed that she was diagnosed with Adenomyosis, a medical condition whereby the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus, three years ago.

So, what exactly is adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is when the lining of the uterus (aka endometrial tissue) grows into the muscle of the uterus. This extra tissue can create an enlarged uterus, which may not be particularly noticeable or can present symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

What kind of symptoms?

 Heavy, painful periods are the most common ones. “Patients usually get a sore, boggy uterus around the time of their period and it can often cause severe pain and bleeding, leading to anemia,” says Dr. Masterson. Other symptoms include swelling or tenderness in your lower belly and pain during sex. And here’s another bummer—adenomyosis is very difficult to diagnose since it’s often chalked up to “normal” that time-of-the-month pain.

How common is adenomyosis?

Because the condition can be difficult to diagnose. According to the National Health Service in the U.K., around one in 10 women will have adenomyosis. But research published in Human Reproduction journal found that it was prevalent in 20 percent of women in the study. So, yeah, it could be more common than we think.

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What are the causes of adenomyosis?

There’s no known cause of the disease, although the Mayo Clinic notes that there are certain risk factors like prior uterine surgery (like a C-section), childbirth and middle age (adenomyosis is most commonly diagnosed in women aged 40 to 50).

How can it be diagnosed?

If a doctor suspects adenomyosis, the first step is a physical exam. A pelvic exam may reveal an enlarged and tender uterus. An ultrasound can allow a doctor to see the uterus, its lining, and its muscular wall.

Additionally, an MRI can be used to confirm a diagnosis of adenomyosis in women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Because the symptoms are so similar, adenomyosis is often misdiagnosed as uterine fibroids so, an accurate diagnosis is key in choosing the right treatment.

What about treatment options?

Birth control pills or other hormones are often prescribed to help lighten periods and pain meds can help with the pain. In very severe cases, women might opt for a hysterectomy to alleviate the pain.

Can adenomyosis affect fertility?

While there is some research that suggests adenomyosis might affect a woman’s fertility there isn’t actually any concrete evidence. Meaning that if you are diagnosed with the condition and would like to conceive, there’s no reason to assume that you won’t be able to. But like with all health questions, you should always bring up any issues or concerns with your doctor.

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