What is adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is a condition that’s closely linked with endometriosis, and it’s possible to have both conditions at the same time. Adenomyosis has many of the same symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, but is usually accompanied by heavy bleeding for long periods of time. Adenomysosis affects the muscles of the uterus (the womb) so the uterus can get bigger as a result, and some patients report feeling tenderness or pressure low down in their tummy.

An image showing adenomyosis in the uterus
Adenomyosis is a very similar disease to endometriosis but found in the muscular walls of the uterus. This can cause the uterus to become engorged or ‘bulky’.

Adenomyosis can only be formally diagnosed once the womb has been removed via hysterectomy and sent away for testing at a laboratory. A gynaecologist might suspect a diagnosis of adenomyosis earlier than that, based on the appearance of the womb during surgery (e.g. a laparoscopy): if it’s large and engorged, or described as ‘bulky’, this will point to adenomyosis. It’s also sometimes possible to see a larger than normal womb on some scans.