Physicians and patients are becoming more aware of the chronic disease endometriosis. What is getting ignored now is a disease that often accompanies endometriosis called adenomyosis.
Adenomyosis: Endometrial cells located in the muscle wall of the uterus.
All patients with endometriosis probably have some degree of adenomyosis. The pain with endometriosis is probably most often characterized as pain with periods in the teen years. As the lesions begin to burn out in the 20’s, many patients report cycles becoming less painful.
By the mid 30’s, many patients are again having increased pain with periods. This, however, is most likely due to the slowly progressive problem of adenomyosis. Therefore, after excision of endometriosis, if pain with periods recurs it is likely adenomyosis.
Adenomyosis is not visible at or treated by surgery except through hysterectomy. It is most commonly suspected when the uterus is enlarged on ultrasound. Continuous birth control suppression can slow the progression of this process.
Michael D. Fox, MD
Christopher W. Lipari, MD
Jacksonville Center Reproductive Medicine
Advanced Reproductive Specialists