Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTissue GrowthSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Tissue Growth
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Adenomyosisandendometriosisare medical conditions that cause an overgrowth of the lining of theuterus(endometrium). With adenomyosis, the tissue grows into the walls of the uterus. With endometriosis, the tissues grow outside of the uterus and can extend to theovaries,fallopian tubes, pelvic wall, and bowel.
Although they are two distinct conditions, adenomyosis and endometriosis share symptoms such as painful periods andheavy menstrual bleeding. Because of this, they are often mistaken for one another. They can even occur at the same time.
This article describes the symptoms and causes of adenomyosis and endometriosis and explains how the two conditions are diagnosed and treated.
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Tissue Growth in Adenomyosis vs. Endometriosis
Adenomyosis involves cells of the endometrium extending into the walls of the uterus (myometrium), causing them to thicken.
Despite these changes, the endometrial tissues remain functional and are shed with each period, causing bleeding.
The tissues that extend beyond the uterus in endometriosis are different. While they are similar to endometrial tissue, they are not exactly like what’s in the uterus.
These tissues function similarly—breaking down and bleeding with each period—but ultimately become trapped in the organs they invade. This can lead to scarring and adhesions (the sticking together of tissues).
Symptoms of Adenomyosis and Endometriosis
Despite being two separate conditions, adenomyosis and endometriosis share many of the same symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods. Even so, there are certain signs that can help differentiate them.
Adenomyosis SymptomsHeavy menstrual bleedingPainful menstrual periodsPainful sexual intercourseEnlarged uterusEndometriosis SymptomsHeavy menstrual bleedingPainful menstrual periodsPainful sexual intercourseSpotting or bleeding between periodsInfertilityPain with bowel movements or urinationDigestive problemsFatigue
Adenomyosis SymptomsHeavy menstrual bleedingPainful menstrual periodsPainful sexual intercourseEnlarged uterus
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Painful menstrual periods
Painful sexual intercourse
Enlarged uterus
Endometriosis SymptomsHeavy menstrual bleedingPainful menstrual periodsPainful sexual intercourseSpotting or bleeding between periodsInfertilityPain with bowel movements or urinationDigestive problemsFatigue
Spotting or bleeding between periods
Infertility
Pain with bowel movements or urination
Digestive problems
Fatigue
Comparatively, though, endometriosis causes moresymptomsthan adenomyosis. In some cases, people with adenomyosis may have no symptoms at all and only find out about their condition when it is advanced or diagnosed along with endometriosis.
How to Manage Endometriosis Pain
The exact cause of adenomyosis and endometriosis is unknown. However, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing these conditions.
Adenomyosis Risk FactorsBeing in your 40s or 50sHaving multiple pregnanciesPrior uterine surgerySmokingA priorectopic pregnancyTamoxifenuseEndometriosis Risk FactorsBeing in your 30s or 40sHaving never had childrenHaving short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)Heavy menstrual periodsthat last for more than seven daysA family history of endometriosisMenstruation starting before age 11
Adenomyosis Risk FactorsBeing in your 40s or 50sHaving multiple pregnanciesPrior uterine surgerySmokingA priorectopic pregnancyTamoxifenuse
Being in your 40s or 50s
Having multiple pregnancies
Prior uterine surgery
Smoking
A priorectopic pregnancy
Tamoxifenuse
Endometriosis Risk FactorsBeing in your 30s or 40sHaving never had childrenHaving short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)Heavy menstrual periodsthat last for more than seven daysA family history of endometriosisMenstruation starting before age 11
Being in your 30s or 40s
Having never had children
Having short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)
Heavy menstrual periodsthat last for more than seven days
A family history of endometriosis
Menstruation starting before age 11
How Do Endometriosis Symptoms Feel?
Diagnosing Adenomyosis vs. Endometriosis
Adenomyosis and endometriosis are diagnosed with many of the same tools and techniques, including:
There are also other diagnostic tools used specifically for adenomyosis or endometriosis.
Identifying Adenomyosis
The only way to truly diagnose adenomyosis is to examine the tissue of the uterus after ahysterectomy, surgery to remove the uterus.The decision to undergo a hysterectomy is based on a review of the benefits and risks of the procedure.
In some instances, your healthcare provider may perform abiopsyto obtain a sample of the endometrium that can be examined under a microscope. But this is done to ensure that a more serious condition likeuterine cancerorendometrial cancerisn’t involved—not to aid in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.
Identifying Endometriosis
In some cases, your healthcare provider will refer you to a surgeon to undergo alaparoscopy. This is a surgical procedure in which a tube-like scope is inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen to view the pelvic organs.
Laparoscopy can provide details about the size, location, and extent of the spread of endometrial tissues outside of the uterus. Your surgeon may also take an endometrial biopsy for further testing.
How Endometriosis Is Treated
Treatment Options
Treatment for adenomyosis and endometriosis varies based on which symptoms are present and how severe they are. While there is no cure for these conditions, they can be well-managed.
Among some of the treatment options commonly used for both conditions are:
Other treatments used specifically for endometriosis include:
Living With Adenomyosis or Endometriosis
Living with chronic pain from adenomyosis or endometriosis can be distressing and lead to feelings of depression or anxiety. If you are concerned about your mood, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a mental health professional such as a psychologist or therapist.
A 2016 study reported that women with endometriosis found it helpful to plan work and social events around their menstrual periods. This is to avoid being active during the heaviest days of their periods, when pain is the most intense.
Other coping techniques for endometriosis include:
Summary
Adenomyosis and endometriosis are chronic conditions that affect the endometrium, the tissue lining of the uterus. They differ in that the former involves tissue growth into the muscular wall of the uterus, while the latter involves tissue growth outside of the uterus into surrounding organs.
Symptoms of both include pelvic pain and heavy menstrual periods, but there are some unique symptoms as well. Possible treatments include over-the-counter pain relievers, hormonal contraceptives, and hysterectomy.
Frequently Asked QuestionsEndometriosis is more likely to cause symptoms than adenomyosis. Many individuals with adenomyosis do not know they have it because of the lack of symptoms.Adenomyosis may lead toabdominal distention. The uterus can become enlarged when its walls become overly thick due to endometrial tissue growth. This can cause the abdomen to swell.While adenomyosis does not cause endometriosis, the two conditions are linked. Individuals with endometriosis are more likely to be diagnosed with adenomyosis than women without a disorder of the endometrium.
Endometriosis is more likely to cause symptoms than adenomyosis. Many individuals with adenomyosis do not know they have it because of the lack of symptoms.
Adenomyosis may lead toabdominal distention. The uterus can become enlarged when its walls become overly thick due to endometrial tissue growth. This can cause the abdomen to swell.
While adenomyosis does not cause endometriosis, the two conditions are linked. Individuals with endometriosis are more likely to be diagnosed with adenomyosis than women without a disorder of the endometrium.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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