Adenomyosis and endometriosis: what is the difference

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Very often, women develop diseases associated with abnormal growth of the endometrium in the musculature of the uterus and some other internal organs. In medical practice, such a disease is called adenomyosis, as well as endometriosis. Often, patients are interested in whether there are differences between the two concepts. In this article, we will try to find out the features, causes and types of pathologies. So, adenomyosis and endometriosis: what's the difference?

What is adenomyosis

This pathology is attributed to very frequent diseases of female organs. Adenomyosis is a pathological state of the uterus, provoked by the spread of the endometrium into the musculature of the genital organ. Such violations lead to an increase in the volume of the uterus, and also often causes severe bleeding. Symptoms of the disease can be in the form of severe pain in the abdomen and lower back.

In medical practice, three main types of disease are distinguished:

1. Focal - minor lesions of the musculature of the uterus.
2. Diffuse - the defeat of extensive areas of the genital organ.
3. Nodal - characterized by the formation of peculiar nodes in the body of the uterus.

Also doctors distinguish several stages of the disease. These include:

• insignificant penetration of the endometrium into the uterine tissue;
• deeper distribution, however, muscular layer damage is no more than 50%;
• strong penetration of the endometrium, more than 50%;
• is a deep lesion with the spread of the endometrium throughout the layer of the genital organ.

Important! When you go to a hospital in the early stages of the disease, you can prevent complications of pathology and maintain the reproductive function of the uterus.

Why there is a disease

Until now, there are no exact causes of the development of the disease. However, according to laboratory studies, it was possible to clarify the clear relationship between the increase in the level of female hormones and the appearance of ailment. Also, the factor of genetic predisposition is important. In most cases, patients suffering from an illness had a female with the same pathology in their kind. Factors capable of provoking the disease are also the following:

• psychological disorders;
• stress and depression;
• excessive physical activity;
• severe overwork;
• nervous shocks.

Symptoms of adenomyosis

Symptoms of the disease are quite unpleasant. These include:

1. Painful sensations in the lower abdomen. Discomfort is aggravated during sexual intercourse, before the onset of menstruation, and also during physical exertion.
2. Abundant bleeding during menstruation.
3. Presence of blood clots.
4. Increase in the volume of the genital organ.
5. Development of anemia.

Important! Often the disease proceeds without any visible symptoms. Pathology is detected by routine examination of the genicologist.

Endometriosis and its course

As with adenomyosis, the disease is characterized by ingrowth of the endometrium into the uterus. However, in this case, pathological proliferation can affect other internal organs. For example, the digestive or urogenital system.

The types of disease defeat are as follows:

1. Genital - organs and channels of the reproductive system suffer.
2. Extragenital - an ailment extends to internal organs and even post-operative scars.
3. Combined - overgrowths are observed both in the uterine region and in other internal organs.

Causes of

Basically, the causes of endometriosis are similar to adenomyosis, but physicians also distinguish such a provoking factor as a violation of the body's natural defense. It is believed that with the normal functioning of immunity, the disease is not capable of spreading to internal organs.

Also for reasons suggested by scientists, include the following:

1. The ingestion of menstrual flow into the body.
2. Increase in the level of female hormones.
3. Excessive emotional stress, stress, mental turmoil.

Important! None of the theories is confirmed in practice and is only an assumption. Often the causes of endometriosis remain unclarified.

Symptoms of pathology

Manifestations of pathology are very similar to the above-described disease. However, the symptoms of the disease proceed more vividly. So, in women suffering from pathology, the following conditions can be noted:

• strong menstrual bleeding;
• presence of spotting blood extracts outside the menstrual period;
• appearance of formations, benign, soreness and increased volume of the affected organ;
• increased body temperature;
• discomfort and soreness when urinating and defecating;
• is an unstable menstrual cycle.

Important! In cases of impossibility to become pregnant naturally, women perform artificial insemination. Adenomyosis and endometriosis with IVF are often not an absolute contraindication and women manage to bear and give birth to a healthy child.

Patients often ask themselves what is worse, adenomyosis or endometriosis. To get an answer, we will try to find out the main similarities and distinguish diseases.

What is the difference between the pathologies of

Similarity of diseases is the presence of proliferation of the endometrium, which extends to the area of ​​the uterus and other internal organs. Also, the symptoms of pathologies are very similar. However, there are differences. These include:

1. Endometriosis can serve as a provoking factor in the development of female infertility. With adenomyosis, this risk is much lower.
2. The list of symptoms of endometriosis is wider, and the course of the pathology proceeds with more acute manifestations.
3. Endometriosis occurs in the stronger sex, but this happens very rarely.

Important! It is rather difficult to diagnose both types of diseases. It is often difficult to find out the nature of the inflammation, which provokes the further development of the disease.

Treatment methods

Due to the fact that the true causes of pathology remain unknown, doctors are focusing on eliminating symptoms and reducing the activity of endometrial overgrowth.

Medication therapy

When diagnosing a disease, a woman can be prescribed the following treatment:

1. Anesthetics to reduce discomfort( spasmalgon, no-shpa, tempalgin).
2. Prescribing contraceptives. Preparations and dosage are selected individually for each patient by the attending physician.
3. Preparations for the normalization of hormone levels.
4. Anti-inflammatory drugs( polyhydrax, terzhinan, hexicon).

Traditional medicine

Treatment with folk remedies can be performed with the help of douching. For this purpose, decoctions of herbs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions are well suited. It is good to use chamomile, melissa, sage, calendula, string and other plants in such cases. The broth is prepared quite simply: 500 mg of water should be added 2 tbsp.l.herbs and bring the remedy to a boil over low heat. After the broth cools down, drain and use for syringing.

The types of diseases considered have both similarities and differences. It is very important to seek qualified medical care in the early stages of pathology. This will eliminate complications and help maintain the reproductive function of women.