What is the difference between adenomyosis and endometriosis

At the same time, the scarring that has resulted can be freed up to improve the chance for fertility. Both adenomyosis and endometriosis involve glandular cells that are abnormally present in areas other than the endometrium. Each have similar as well as different symptoms, and each have definitive diagnosis via surgery.

What a Difference a Word Makes! Normally the endometrium loosens and falls away into the inside of your uterus when the normally fluctuating and cycling hormones of your cycle are at their lowest. And again, normally, its exit is naturally through your cervix, then vagina, and then to the outside world for discarding as part of typical menstrual hygeine. This would explain how endometriosis can be found in some women in the nose monthly nosebleeds , the lungs monthly coughing up blood , or even the brain monthly ministrokes.

Adenomyosis: Glandular Invasion into Your Uterus Adenomyosis is when endometrial tissue not endometrial- like , but actual endometrial glandular cells invade the layer that overlies that innermost endometrium layer.

Endometriosis or Adenomyosis? Both can be painful, but endometriosis is more likely to cause infertility by two mechanisms: Causing scarring amid the ovaries and tubes, blocking the descent of an egg for fertilization or the swimming up of sperm to fertilize the egg. Provoking an inflammation that makes for bad chemistry, causing dysfunction in ovulation and fertilization itself. Yes, but his is somewhat unusual, as the two conditions are more common in different populations : Adenomyosis occurs more frequently in women who have had prior pregnancy or pregnancies, so therefore older than the women who have endometriosis late twenties to forties.

Endometriosis, because of its relationship with infertility, occurs in women who typically have had no children yet, and therefore this is a younger population puberty to twenties.

How are Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Diagnosed? Endometrial Cells Grow in Different Places These displaced endometrial cells are the culprits leading to endometriosis and adenomyosis. The Two Disorders Affect Different Types of Women Most women who suffer with endometriosis are younger adolescents and those of reproductive ages, whereas adenomyosis usually affects older women.

A Difference in Symptoms Although painful periods and painful intercourse are experienced with both disorders, there are additional symptoms they do not share. Women with endometriosis typically report the following symptoms: Painful bowel movements Pain during urination Pelvis pain Fatigue Nausea Diarrhea during periods With adenomyosis women tend to have: Chronic pelvic pain Abnormal bleeding and prolonged periods Infertility An enlarged uterus Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms at all, and one-third of those with adenomyosis will also not experience symptoms.

Risk Factors Vary Although these two disorders are common, they are certainly not normal, and risk factors for each can vary from one case to another.

Treatment for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Treatment for these two conditions also varies. Treatment for both conditions ranges from minimal over-the-counter medications to more invasive hysterectomy. Treatment options in between these extremes vary. This is because of the differences in where the misplaced endometrial tissue is located. If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs just before and during your period.

For more severe symptom management, there are other options. Hormones are used to help control increased estrogen levels that contribute to symptoms. These include:. For mild symptoms, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs may help. For more severe symptoms, there are other options. These can be prescribed in a staged fashion, starting with a low dose of oral contraceptives and seeing how you respond.

The first line of treatment is usually low-dose combined oral contraceptive pills. Examples include ethyl estradiol and progestins. A second-tier of treatment includes progestins, androgens danazol , and GnRH. These have been shown to reduce endometriosis pain. The progestins may be taken orally, injected, or as an intrauterine device.

When you stop taking them, your periods will return. Conservative surgery can remove endometriosis laparoscopically while keeping your uterus intact. This may relieve symptoms, but the endometriosis can return. Laparoscopy can also be used with heat, current, or laser treatments to remove the endometriosis. Hysterectomy removal of the uterus and possible removal of your ovaries is considered a last resort. Both adenomyosis and endometriosis can be painful over time.

Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a better outcome for pain and symptom relief. Menopause usually relieves adenomyosis symptoms. Both conditions can also raise the risk for impaired fertility, or the inability to either conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Pregnancy losses are also more common.

One study showed that women with adenomyosis undergoing in vitro fertilization had double the rate of miscarriages compared to women with both adenomyosis and endometriosis. Adenomyosis also puts women and their babies at a higher risk of preterm birth and the premature rupture of the amniotic sac, as well as intrauterine growth restriction, pregnancy-related hypertension, and uterine infection. Doctors may also attempt a surgery to remove the growths , known as adenomyomas, and reconstruct the uterus.

These two alternative treatments have been shown to increase the chances of spontaneous pregnancy among women with adenomyosis, while the drug protocol may also help make IVF more successful.

However, depending on the size and spread of the condition, women with extensive adenomyosis might end up needing a surrogate to carry their pregnancy, Dr. Treatment options for both conditions are similar and escalate in intensity from birth control pills to suppress the release of reproductive hormones to surgery to remove endometrial cysts, scar tissue or implants, adenomyomas, or even the entire uterus.