Adenomyosis refers to endometriosis growing within the thick muscular coat of the uterus, the myometrium. The symptoms include enlargement of the uterus, and heavy or painful bleeding, and the group of women affected is similar to that for endometriosis. Its presence may be suggested by vaginal ultrasound, biopsy of the myometrium or magnetic resonance imaging.
While it is sometimes possible to remove endometriosis by cutting or burning it out, this is more difficult where adenomyosis is concerned. Drug therapies can provide profound pain relief for both endometriosis and adenomyosis while in use, but there is no evidence that they eradicate the unwanted tissue. After therapy stops, the disease persists in more than three out of four women and pain often recurs within a few weeks or months. Many women consider hysterectomy when endometriosis or adenomyosis continues to cause severe and persistent problems despite other treatments.
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