ADENOMYOSIS
Adenomyosis in Ayurveda
Adenomyosis is a tridoshic imbalance in Ayurveda, involving vata dosha, pitta dosha and kapha dosha. This leads to poor digestive fire “agnimandya” and hence build up of “Ama” undigested food particles in the form of toxins in the body.
Dosha imbalance leads to imbalance in the hormones (estrogen dominance), poor circulation, excess growth or abnormal growth in the form of endometrial cysts across the uterus.
Adenomyosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The displaced tissue continues to act normally thickening, breaking down and bleeding during each menstrual cycle. An enlarged uterus and painful, heavy periods can result.
Symptoms
- Sometimes, adenomyosis causes no signs or symptoms or only mild discomfort. However, adenomyosis can cause:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Severe cramping or sharp, knifelike pelvic pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Your uterus might get bigger. Although you might not know if your uterus is bigger, you may notice tenderness or pressure in your lower abdomen.
Causes
Invasive tissue growth. Some experts believe that endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus invade the muscle that forms the uterine walls. Uterine incisions made during an operation such as a cesarean section (C-section) might promote the direct invasion of the endometrial cells into the wall of the uterus.
Developmental origins. Other experts suspect that endometrial tissue is deposited in the uterine muscle when the uterus is first formed in the fetus.
Uterine inflammation related to childbirth. Another theory suggests a link between adenomyosis and childbirth. Inflammation of the uterine lining during the postpartum period might cause a break in the normal boundary of cells that line the uterus.
Stem cell origins. A recent theory proposes that bone marrow stem cells might invade the uterine muscle, causing adenomyosis.
Regardless of how adenomyosis develops, its growth depends on the body’s circulating estrogen.
Risk factors
Risk factors for adenomyosis include:Prior uterine surgery, such as C-section, fibroid removal, or dilatation and curettage (D&C)
Childbirth
Middle age
Most cases of adenomyosis which depends on estrogen are found in women in their 40s and 50s. Adenomyosis in these women could relate to longer exposure to estrogen compared with that of younger women. However, current research suggests that the condition might also be common in younger women.
Complications
If you often have prolonged, heavy bleeding during your periods, you can develop chronic anemia, which causes fatigue and other health problems
Stages of Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis can cause the uterus to become enlarged and can lead to pain and heavy bleeding during menstruation. The four stages of adenomyosis are:
- Mild adenomyosis
This is when small areas of endometrium have broken through the uterine wall. There may be no symptoms at this stage.
- Moderate adenomyosis
This is when larger areas of endometrium have broken through the uterine wall (focal adenomyosis). In this case, the growth of adenomyomas is not so wide across the uterine cavity. Symptoms may include pain during menstruation and sex, heavy bleeding, and fatigue.
- Severe adenomyosis
This is when endometrium has broken through the uterine muscle in many areas (diffuse adenomyosis). Symptoms may include very severe pain during menstruation and sex, a sense of tightness and chronic pelvic pain, excessive bleeding, and fatigue.
- Advanced adenomyosis
This is when endometrium has completely replaced the uterine muscle. Symptoms may include severe pain in the pelvic region, lower back and renal area, heavy bleeding, and infertility.
