Adenomyosis Treatment Is Not Necessarily a Hysterectomy
If a woman with adenomyosis hears that her uterus is enlarged and must be removed, is hysterectomy really the only solution?
There are multiple ways to treat adenomyosis, including medication, interventional radiology, ultrasound therapy, or surgery.
In the coming days, we’ll cover each method in detail and discuss its advantages.
Hormonal Drug Treatment
There are certain medications that can stop the menstrual cycle, and in turn, reduce the uterine contractions and pain experienced during menstruation.
This is achieved through pills or a hormonal IUD that reduces excess estrogen by stopping menstruation and thus ovulation, which helps minimize the receptors responsible for uterine enlargement that leads to bleeding and pain.
However, this option is considered a temporary solution, as the symptoms usually return once treatment is stopped.
Hormonal medications like progesterone are not highly effective overall, though in some cases, they can reduce pain by up to 70%. They may also cause some side effects such as:
- Weight gain in about 29% of patients
- Ovarian cyst formation in about 22%
- Lower abdominal pain in about 22%
Early Intervention Prevents Extreme Measures Like Hysterectomy
That’s why I advise any young woman who experiences painful periods—especially if she has obesity, diabetes, or a family history of uterine enlargement or fibroids—to get early screening.
We can completely control the condition early on through a healthy diet and regular exercise, as both help reduce estrogen levels, which contribute to the development of adenomyosis.