Adenomyosis and Non-Surgical Treatments

In addition to fibroids, there is another condition in the uterus called adenomyosis. The most significant symptoms of adenomyosis include increased menstrual bleeding, painful periods, and pain during intercourse. These symptoms can also be accompanied by infertility. However, these symptoms can also be seen in fibroids and endometriosis. A contrast-enhanced pelvic MRI is essential to distinguish between adenomyosis and fibroids.

If adenomyosis does not cause significant discomfort, treatment is not actually necessary. However, because patients often have symptoms, treatment is often necessary. The classic treatment for adenomyosis is hormonal IUDs and other hormonal medications. They are used primarily to reduce bleeding, but drug therapy is not always successful.

It is not possible to completely remove the adenomyosis tissue, as is the case with myomectomy, especially in cases of diffuse adenomyosis. Therefore, if surgery is necessary for adenomyosis, complete removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) is preferred.

Because hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, is not a preferred treatment option for patients and carries numerous postoperative risks, embolization is often used in these patients. Scientific studies with large patient populations have shown that nearly 80% of patients experience complete resolution of symptoms after embolization.