Adenomyosis disease
Adenomyosis is a health condition that occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus or uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The network is still experiencing the same cycle, namely thickening, lays, and bleeding, during the menstrual cycle. This condition can cause uterine enlargement, pain, and excessive menstrual bleeding.
The cause of adenomyosis is not yet known for certain, but this condition generally stops post-menopause. In women who experience excessive discomfort due to adenomyosis, hormonal treatment can help resolve the complaint. The removal of the uterus is the definitive treatment of adenomyosis.
Causes of Adenomyosis
Causes of adenomyosis have not been known for sure. There are several theories allegedly involved in the occurrence of this condition, namely:
Invasive tissue growth. Some scholars believe that adenomyosis occurs as a result of endometrial cell invasion directly from the outer layer of the uterus to the muscles that form the uterine wall.
The incision in the uterus performed at the time of operation, such as Caesarean section, allegedly can support the invasion of endometrial cells directly to the uterine wall.
The process of growing flowers. Some other experts suspect that adenomyosis originates in the uterine muscles where there is an existing endometrial tissue at the time the uterus begins to form in the fetus's body.
Uterine inflammation related to childbirth. One of the other theories associated with this condition is the link between adenomyosis and childbirth.
Inflammation of the uterine lining at the time of the NIFAS can cause gaps in the normal limits of cells lining the uterus. Sometimes, surgical procedures in the uterus can have a similar effect.
Stem cells. One of the newly developed theories alleged that stem cells from the bone marrow could invade the uterine muscles, which subsequently led to Adenoomiosis.
Regardless of the onset of adenomyosis, its development depends on the estrogen circulating in the female body.
Some of the alleged risk factors associated with adenomyosis are:
- History of surgical procedures in previous uteri, such as cesarean section or fibroids removal
- Labor process
- Middle-aged
Symptoms of Adenomyosis
Sometimes, adenomyosis does not show certain signs and symptoms, or only very mild discomfort. However, in some cases, adenomyosis may cause:
- Excessive or elongated menstrual bleeding
- Extremely heavy cramps or severe pain in the pelvis during menstruation (dysmenorrhoea)
- Chronic pelvic pain
The size of the uterus can grow. Although the patient is unable to determine if the uterine enlargement occurs, the patient can experience pain in the lower abdomen or excessive pressure on the pelvis.
Diagnosis of Adenomyosis
Diagnosis of Adenoomiosis can be determined based on the results of medical interviews, physical examinations, and certain supporting examinations. The doctor may suspect that Adenomyosis is based on signs and symptoms, the results of the pelvic examination, indicating an enlarged and painful uterine, ultrasonogram result of the uterus, or the result of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI Uterus.
In some cases, the doctor may also perform a sample of uterine tissue sampling for further evaluation (endometrial biopsy) to ensure that the abnormal uterine in radiation is not associated with other serious conditions. However, the endometrial biopsy itself is not conducted to confirm the diagnosis of adenomyosis.
The way to confirm the occurrence of adenomyosis is to examine the uterus after the procedure of hysterectomy or the removal of the uterus. However, imaging examinations on the pelvis such as ultrasonogram and MRI can detect signs of adenomyosis.
Other diseases of the uterus can sometimes show signs and symptoms similar to adenomyosis, making the diagnosis of this condition more difficult to establish. Certain conditions of the uterus, such as a fibroids tumor (leiomyoma), a uterine cell that grows outside the uterus (endometriosis), and the growth of tissue in the uterine lining (endometrial polyps), can have signs and symptoms that resemble adenomyosis.
Treatment of Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis often subsides post-menopausal, which makes the treatment depends on how far the individual is with this condition of the phase.
Some of the treatment options on adenomyosis include:
- Anti-inflammatory treatment. The doctor may prescribe the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to overcome the pain that arises. Generally, the drug is recommended to be consumed one to two days before the menstrual period begins as well as during menstruation.
- Hormonal treatment. The hormonal treatment of a combination of estrogen and progesterone can help relieve excess bleeding as well as the pain associated with the occurrence of adenomyosis.
Treatment that only contains progestins often causes the occurrence of amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, which can help alleviate the complaint.
If the pain is very severe and other treatment does not indicate any benefits, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of the uterus.
Prevention of Adenomyosis
Because the causes of adenomyosis are not known for sure, there is not yet an effective method of prevention completely in avoiding the occurrence of this condition.