April is Adenomyosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding the light on this often-misunderstood condition that affects countless individuals worldwide.  

Adenomyosis is a painful and debilitating condition in which the inner lining of the uterus grows into the muscular wall, causing severe cramping, heavy periods, and chronic pelvic pain.

Despite its impact on quality of life, many patients face delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment due to a lack of medical awareness and understanding.

It is thought 1 in 10 women suffer from adenomyosis reporting excruciating pain in the pelvis and abdomen.  

Symptoms include:

• heavy bleeding

• severe pain  

• heaviness and/or pain in the lower abdominal area

• bloating

• pain during and after intercourse

• fatigue

• Painful before or during bowel movements

• Cramping

• Pain extending into the legs

• Lower back pain

‍

Diagnosis

Adenomyosis can affect anybody that gets periods and can take many years to diagnose. Some sufferers have described beginning to experience symptoms as early as in their teens, although it is more commonly diagnosed in women that are over the age of thirty.  

Adenomyosis is notoriously difficult to diagnose, often requiring imaging techniques, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, and in some cases, definitive confirmation through histological examination after hysterectomy.

Treatment

Those experiencing symptoms should contact their GP.  

The treatment for adenomyosis depends on the severity of the symptoms, the patient’s age, and their reproductive goals.  Options range from pain management to surgical intervention and can include:

• Pain management – over-the-counter or prescribed painkillers to help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Hormonal therapy – birth control pills, progestin-only methods (coil, implant or injections) or GnRH agonists (medication) to help regulate or suppress menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms.

• Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) – a minimally invasive procedure that cuts off the blood supply to the affected areas, reducing symptoms.

• Endometrial Ablation – surgery to destroy the uterine lining to reduce heavy bleeding.

• Adenomyomectomy – a more conservative surgery that removes adenomyotic tissue whilst preserving the uterus.

• Hysterectomy – removal of the uterus.  This is usually the only definitive cure and is usually recommended for severe cases when other treatments have failed, and the patient does not wish to have more children.

‍

Famous faces have recently brought the condition under the spotlight by describing their own experiences. In October 2023 BBC journalist Naga Munchetty and TV personality Vicky Pattison gave evidence to the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee about their own painful experiences. The former described experiencing symptoms for 32 years before diagnosis and the repercussions on her education, work and personal life.  

Vicky Pattison shed light on the fatigue and insomnia suffered as a result of lengthy periods of bleeding and pain, and the regular dismissal as symptoms as something all women experience.  

A 2024 Parliamentary report found 1 in 3 women live with heavy menstrual bleeding and 1 in 10 either have adenomyosis or endometriosis. Read our previous blog on the need for more funding into research for gynecological conditions.

Adenomyosis Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of early diagnosis, effective treatment and medical accountability.  By raising awareness and advocating for better education within the medical community, we can help ensure that those suffering with the condition receive the care and support they deserve.

Help and support can be found at: Adenomyosis Advice Association.org and Adenomyosis | Endometriosis UK

Credit: Image Not So Mommy

‍

Fazila Bhana is a Medical Negligence Paralegal. She says: “Adenomyosis can have a damaging impact on the health and wellbeing of countless women and girls whilst remaining undiscovered and undiagnosed. By raising awareness, we can ensure the condition is brought out of the shadows to allow for detection, treatment and much needed research on the condition.”

MDS is a specialist medical negligence law firm. We specialise in claims involving cancer, maternity, and cauda equina syndrome. Our expert solicitors represent clients all around England and Wales, and we are dedicated to helping people who have been injured by medical negligence.

Our solicitors have extensive experience of representing clients and their families whose lives have been affected by medical negligence Click here to read more about how we can help you, and here to read our client’s stories.

If you are concerned about any care that you or a member of your family has received, please contact our experienced team on 0116 254 7456 or email: enquiries@moosaduke.com. You can also enquire online by clicking here.

‍