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Adenomyosis: Its Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Impact on Fertility

Adenomyosis is a gynecological disease where the glands from the lining of the uterine cavity (endometrium) are present within the uterine musculature (myometrium). Historically, adenomyosis was considered to be typically present in women who have had children (multiparous), with heavy menstrual bleeding and aged more than 40 years.

 

Recent advances in imaging techniques have led to adenomyosis being diagnosed in younger women who present with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), infertility or pelvic pain. It has even been found in women with no symptoms at all.

What Are the Symptoms of Adenomyosis?

The typical symptoms include abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), painful periods (dysmenorrhea), pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), chronic pelvic pain, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, local pressure symptoms and (rarely) bladder symptoms or indigestion (see Table 1).

adenomyosis symptoms

How Do We Diagnose Adenomyosis?

There are no symptoms that are exclusive to a diagnosis of adenomyosis. Sometimes there are other conditions that can exist along with adenomyosis (fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial polyps (usually non-cancerous growths in uterine cavity), thickening of lining of uterine cavity (endometrial hyperplasia) and make the diagnosis difficult. Like endometriosis, adenomyosis can look like many different things.

Let us discuss what some of the most common symptoms are.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)

Heavy menstrual bleeding is seen in about 50% of women with adenomyosis. This can last several days and can arrive at irregular times (see Table 1 above for more about what constitutes "abnormal" bleeding).

Pain

Pain can be with periods (dysmenorrhea) or there can be chronic pelvic pain. The severity of the disease is often correlated with the amount of pain experienced by the woman.

 

Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Adenomyosis can cause many difficulties with getting and staying pregnant. Infertility and miscarriages are related to the severity of the disease (localized—concentrated in one area, or diffuse—present throughout the uterus) and presence of other diseases such as endometriosis.

 

IVF pregnancy rates are lower in patients with adenomyosis. Some studies have also shown an increased risk of miscarriage with IVF in patients with adenomyosis. Pregnancy complications will also increase in patients with diffuse adenomyosis. These include:

  • Low birth weight babies
  • Premature delivery
  • Premature rupture of membranes
  • Increased rate of C-section
  • Heavy bleeding after delivery of a baby (post-partum hemorrhage)

There are several mechanisms that may be responsible for these complications. These include local inflammation, increased local production of prostaglandins, altered uterine contractility and defective blood vessel development.

 

Clinical Examination in Patients with Adenomyosis

What we find in an examination will vary based on the severity and location of the disease. A pelvic exam can often show an enlarged uterus with localized tender areas. Clinical examination may also raise suspicion of other conditions like fibroids and endometriosis. These findings are non-specific. Usually, we need to use imaging techniques to make a diagnosis of adenomyosis.

 

Imaging Techniques for Diagnosing Adenomyosis

Ultrasound

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound can be used to diagnose the presence of adenomyosis. The findings vary based on the extent (focal or diffuse) of the disease and presence of other associated conditions (fibroids, endometriosis). adenomyosis ultrasound

adenomyosis on ultrasound

A typical ultrasound finding in patients with adenomyosis is the presence of the “question-mark” sign.

adenomyosis question mark

Hysteroscopy

In patients with AUB, hysteroscopy can be useful as it enables one to assess the uterine cavity for abnormalities. Adenomyosis can be suspected when there are increased blood vessels seen on the uterine lining. Other findings include an irregular lining with small openings (known as the “strawberry pattern”) and submucous cysts. A biopsy of the lining can be helpful to diagnose adenomyosis. This involves using a special instrument (loop electrode with diathermy or a utero-spirotome device) to get a deep biopsy that includes the uterine musculature.

 

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An MRI is the reference standard for diagnosing adenomyosis. It is expensive but is non-invasive. It better predicts adenomyosis when done in the secretory (after ovulation) phase of the menstrual cycle. In an MRI, we will look at an area known as the junctional zone—where the lining of the uterus (endometrium) meets the muscles of the uterine wall (myometrium).

The agreement is that a junctional zone of more than 12 mm in width is strongly associated with the disease. When the JZ measures 8–12 mm, we look to determine whether there is more than 5 mm difference between the maximum and minimum thickness of the JZ, poor definition of borders of the JZ or high-signal intensity foci in the myometrium.

adenomyosis MRI image

How Does Adenomyosis Cause Infertility?

There are several ways in which adenomyosis can cause infertility. These include:

  • Alterations in the function of the uterine musculature that impacts egg, sperm and embryo transport. This makes it difficult for egg and sperm to meet or for a fertilized egg to travel to the uterus.
  • Alterations in the shape and size of the uterine cavity that can also negatively impact sperm migration, embryo transfer and implantation potential.
  • Thickening of the junctional zone (described above), which can affect how uterine muscles contract and also reduce the chance of a fertilized egg implanting in the endometrium.
  • Changes in receptivity molecules (HOXA10, LIF, MMP, IL-6, cytochrome P450 etc.) present with adenomyosis, plus alterations of cell adhesion molecules (integrins) which can also reduce implantation.

As you can see, adenomyosis can have significant negative impact on fertility, potentially affecting chances of conception, implantation, and progression to a safe live birth.

Help for Adenomyosis-Related Fertility

Adenomyosis is a difficult clinical situation, but treatment is possible. Our team of board-certified fertility doctors can help. We have four convenient Chicago-area locations and extensive experience helping patents with fertility caused by this condition. Click below to make your appointment with InVia Fertility Specialists today.

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