Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

In: ISGE Series · 2024 · pp. 105–118 · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-55300-4_9 · W4399410644
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Endometriosis and adenomyosis are distinct gynecological conditions with shared menstruation-related dysfunction, common pathogenetic mechanisms, and similar risk factors, frequently coexisting and presenting with symptoms like pelvic pain and infertility, though abnormal uterine bleeding is more associated with adenomyosis.

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This paper/chapter reviews what defines adenomyosis and endometriosis, describing them as menstruation-related disorders seen in reproductive-age women and highlighting overlapping pathogenetic mechanisms, shared risk profiles, and frequent coexistence. It contrasts symptom patterns reported for both conditions—such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and infertility—alongside mechanisms including relative hyperestrogenism, progesterone resistance, and inflammation, while noting that abnormal uterine bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding are mostly associated with adenomyosis and can lead to iron deficiency anemia. It also states a limitation in emphasis: endometriosis is discussed as often accompanied by systemic comorbidities and chronic pain, but the chapter positions similar hormonal treatment approaches as supported mainly by shared mechanisms rather than condition-specific evidence. This paper is centrally about endometriosis and adenomyosis — it is a comparative overview of definitions, shared mechanisms, and differing clinical features.

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Abstract

Adenomyosis refers to the presence of endometrial stroma and glands within the myometrium, whereas the ectopic location of endometrium outside the uterus identifies the condition of endometriosis. Both benign and gynecological conditions originate from a menstruation-related dysfunction, and they are typically observed in reproductive age women. Common pathogenetic mechanisms, shared risk factor profile, and their frequent coexistence support their similarities, despite each disease has its own features. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and infertility resulting from relative hyperestrogenism, progesterone resistance, and inflammation are frequently observed in both diseases. Conversely, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) are mostly associated with adenomyosis, and resulting iron deficiency anemia is commonly reported. Endometriosis, instead, is a disease often accompanied by systemic comorbidities, along with a chronic pain syndrome. However, common pathogenetic mechanisms and factors support the use of similar hormonal treatment approaches. Access this chapter Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Purchases are for personal use only Similar content being viewed by others

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Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55300-4_9 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55300-4_9 Published: Publisher Name: Springer, Cham Print ISBN: 978-3-031-55299-1 Online ISBN: 978-3-031-55300-4 eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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