Adenomyosis is uterine thickening that occurs when endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, moves into the outer muscular walls of the uterus.
Alternative Names:
Endometriosis interna; Adenomyoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The cause is unknown. Sometimes adenomyosis may cause a mass or growth within the uterus, which is called an adenomyoma.
The disease usually occurs in women older than 30 who have had children. It rarely occurs in women who have not carried a pregnancy to term.
Some form of adenomyosis affects 60% of women, but in most cases is does not cause symptoms.
Note: In many cases, the woman may not have any symptoms.
Signs and tests:
During a pelvic exam, the doctor may find an enlarged, slightly softened uterus, a uterine mass, or uterine tenderness. An ultrasound of the uterus may help tell the difference between adenomyosis and other uterine tumors.
Review Date: 11/8/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Endometriosis
