Adenomyosis: What Is It And How Do We Treat It?
What Is Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition that most commonly causes heavy and painful periods. Other symptoms vary widely but can include pain with intercourse, pelvic pain, prolonged periods, or even no symptoms at all. It’s seen more often among women in their 30s and 40s but the diagnosis is not restricted to just these age groups.
The uterus is composed of multiple layers that are supposed to remain separate from each other. In the case of adenomyosis, the tissue that is supposed to exist only in the inner layer (the endometrium) is growing in the middle layer (the myometrium). The disruption in normal tissue is associated with many changes in the uterus including increased inflammation in the uterus as well as estrogen sensitivity. These changes are what contribute to the symptoms that we see.
Causes
Unfortunately, it’s not clear what causes adenomyosis. I will often see it in patients who have had a cesarean section or after some sort of surgery on the uterus. This lines up with the theory that adenomyosis is caused by “damage” to the layers of the uterus. Another theory proposes that this condition develops long before adulthood during the embryo stage of development.
Estrogen exposure seems to increase the growth of the problematic tissue in the myometrium which is why adenomyosis may be more common among those who have had more exposure to higher estrogen levels such as those who have:
given birth multiple times
been on birth control pills
more frequent cycles
had their period earlier than usual
a higher BMI
Treatment
Conventional treatment involves managing symptoms with pain medication such as NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain. Hormonal medications such as an IUD or birth control pills can also improve symptoms. Various surgical options exist as well.
For natural treatments, we often extrapolate a lot from the endometriosis research as this condition involves similar processes to what we see in adenomyosis. Both adenomyosis and endometriosis involve inflammation and increased estrogen activity. Both conditions can respond well to herbal therapies, nutritional interventions, and lifestyle changes that target these processes. Acupuncture can be an option to promote less difficult cycles as well.
With support from naturopathic medicine, patients often report less painful periods and more normal period flow.
If you have questions about how to manage adenomyosis naturally, book a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more.