Adenomyosis is a condition of the uterus. The cells that normally form the endometrium (the lining on the inside of the uterus) grows/encroaches/invades the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrium).
The term adenomyosis comes from the words: adeno – gland, myo – muscle and osis – condition.
Adenomyosis is different to Endometriosis, though some women have both conditions. With endometriosis, tissue similar to that of the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.
There are theories as to what causes the disease:
- extra tissue in the uterine wall present before birth
- surgery performed on the uterus, i.e. c-section, ablation, etc
- stem cells in the uterine muscle wall
- uterine inflammation that occurs after childbirth
There are many women who have been diagnosed with this disease that have not had children, so this theory is often disputed. The more accepted theory is that the disease is present before birth.
There is definately more research needed!