Adenomyosis and endometriosis - what's the difference? What is the difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis?

The female organism is regularly subjected to cyclic changes. So, one calendar month can be divided into several different periods. Recently, hormonal diseases (endometritis, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and so on) are becoming more common. Each year, this or that pathology affects millions of women around the world. This article will tell you what is adenomyosis and endometriosis. What is the difference between these pathologies? The answer to this question you will find out next. It is also worth mentioning about what treatment is prescribed for such an ailment as adenomyosis (the symptoms and causes of adenomyosis will also be described below) than it differs from the correction of endometriosis.

Hormonal diseases

Since the body of a woman regularly undergoes a change in the hormonal background, sometimes failures occur. Most often this occurs after childbirth, abortion and diagnostic curettage. Also, hormones can "naughty" during menopause and before menopause.

The most common and insidious hormonal diseases are endometriosis and adenomyosis. The difference between them is significant. However, many women confuse these pathologies. It is worth noting that adenomyosis is sometimes called internal endometriosis. Let's try to figure out what are similar and how the data of pathology differ.

Endometriosis

What is the difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis? This pathology arises as follows. Due to the high production of estrogens or androgens, the mucous layer of the uterus expands into the peritoneum. Also, the disease can occur because menstrual blood is thrown through the fallopian tubes into the anterior space.

All this leads to the fact that the ovaries, the body of the uterus, the intestine and other nearby organs begin to function endometrium. Undergoing cyclic changes, this substance can menstruate, as well as the internal cavity of the genital organ.

Symptoms of endometriosis

There are several stages of the disease. Depending on the lesion and the place of the hearth, a woman can absolutely not have complaints even at the very last stage of the disease. That's why the pathology is considered very dangerous and insidious. So, with endometriosis the symptoms are as follows:

• Pain in the abdomen during menstruation and a few days before it;
• Disorders of stool (with bowel damage);
• Irregular cycle with breakthrough bleeding;
• Long monthly, which take in the end a black shade;
• Prolonged inability to conceive a child.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis and endometriosis: what's the difference? Many doctors say that endometriosis can be internal. In this case, it is called "adenomyosis." The disease develops as follows. Because of a violation of the balance of estrogens and progesterone in the body, an excess of the first substances can be observed. As a result, the inner surface of the uterus grows abundantly. In the absence of timely and proper treatment, the endometrium is introduced into the muscle layer of the genital organ. Endometriosis of the uterus is adenomyosis. So many women consider. In some ways they are right. However, each pathology has its own name and it will be more appropriate to use it.

Symptoms of adenomyosis

This pathology most often begins to appear already at the earliest stages. In this case, the signs of the disease can be as follows:

• Pain in the lower part of the peritoneum during menstruation and without it;
• Absence of pregnancy for a long time;
• Sparing excretions in the middle of the female cycle;
• Protracted monthly and short non-menstrual period.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis: difference

What is the difference between these pathologies? As you already know, adenomyosis is the internal endometriosis of the uterus body. Can you say that this is the same thing? More likely no than yes. If it is a question of usual (not internal) endometriosis, then how does it differ from the growth of the mucous membrane of the genital organ? Let's try to draw a parallel between pathologies and find out what is the difference between them.

Place of education

Endometriosis is a pathology that most often affects the fallopian tubes, the outer shell of the uterus, the intestines and other organs.

Adenomyosis develops exclusively in the reproductive organ. Even after ingrowing into the muscular layer of the uterus, the endometrium does not go beyond it.

Symptoms of the disease

If we compare adenomyosis and endometriosis between us, what is the difference between diseases? If you judge by symptomatology, then the differences will be as follows. Endometriosis develops gradually and may not let you know about yourself for a long time. Some women diagnose the disease only at the last stage, when there are endometriomas (cysts).

Adenomyosis often lets you know about yourself right away. Symptoms are manifested by prolonged monthly, painful sensations and so on.

Diagnosis of the disease

Endometriosis can not be diagnosed with 100% accuracy. The medic can only suspect and assume that you have a pathology. Even ultrasound can not reliably diagnose. Absolutely to know about the presence of the disease you can after laparoscopy (diagnostic surgical intervention).

Adenomyosis in most cases can be diagnosed during ultrasound and hysteroscopy. Also, experienced gynecologists can diagnose after examination on a gynecological chair.

Treatment of pathology

Endometriosis is adjusted surgically with great efficiency. During the operation, the doctor performs removal or cauterization of foci of the pathological endometrium. Conservative therapy can be effective only at the initial stages of the disease.

Adenomyosis is often treated with medication. In most cases, this hormonal drugs, suppressing the production of estrogens and androgens. Also during treatment, progesterone is prescribed.

Effects

Endometriosis can cause irreparable damage to the health of a fairer sex. During menstual-like internal bleeding, fluid thickening and the formation of adhesions occur. All this, in the absence of treatment, leads not only to infertility, but also to the fusion of the abdominal organs.

Adenomyosis is also quite dangerous, but it does not affect the organs of the peritoneum, affecting only the muscular layer of the uterus.

What similarities are there in endometriosis and adenomyosis?

1. Both diseases are hormonal. The main reason for their appearance is a high level of estrogens.
2. Both pathologies can lead to infertility and impairment of the menstrual cycle.
3. Treatment of the initial stages of the disease is quite effective with the help of potent hormonal drugs.
4. Relapse can occur in both cases even after a complete cure of the disease.

Summarizing

So, you now know what adenomyosis and endometriosis are (what is the difference between them). Remember that it's almost impossible to diagnose yourself. As you can see, even physicians are not always able to accurately recognize the disease. If there is a suspicion of a pathology, it is better to contact a specialist and get a diagnosis. Only in this case you can get a qualified and correct appointment and fight the disease. Be always healthy!