What is adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis is a benign uterine condition in which endometrial-type tissue is present within the muscular wall of the uterus. It may cause heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, pelvic pain or no symptoms at all.
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Understand adenomyosis symptoms, diagnosis, medical treatment, uterus-preserving options, fertility considerations and when an intervention may be considered. Treatment should be individualized according to symptoms, imaging findings and pregnancy plans.
Adenomyosis treatment depends on the main problem—pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fertility concerns or a combination. Options can include pain medicines, hormonal treatment, a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, other hormonal medicines, and selected uterus-preserving procedures. Surgery is considered for carefully selected patients when symptoms remain troublesome or when the disease pattern is suitable for conservative surgery. There is no single treatment that is right for everyone.
Adenomyosis is a benign uterine condition in which endometrial-type tissue is found within the muscular wall of the uterus. It can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, painful periods and chronic pelvic pain, although some patients have few or no symptoms. Adenomyosis may also coexist with fibroids or endometriosis, which can make diagnosis and treatment planning more complex.
| Feature | Adenomyosis | Fibroids |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Endometrial-type tissue within the uterine muscle | Benign growths arising from uterine smooth muscle |
| Pattern | May cause diffuse or focal changes in the uterine wall | Usually forms distinct nodules or masses |
| Symptoms | Often painful periods, heavy bleeding and pelvic pain | Bleeding, pressure, pain or other symptoms depending on size and location |
| Treatment | Medical, hormonal, interventional or selected conservative surgical options | Observation, medicines, myomectomy, embolization or other procedures depending on the case |
Because the two conditions can occur together, imaging and clinical assessment are important before choosing treatment.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, examination and imaging rather than symptoms alone. Transvaginal ultrasound is commonly used to assess the uterus. MRI can provide additional anatomical detail when ultrasound findings are uncertain or when detailed mapping is needed.
The treatment goal is to control symptoms and address the patient's reproductive plans. Current evidence supports a range of medical, interventional and surgical approaches, but outcomes vary and not every option is suitable for every patient.
Uterine artery embolization and other specialist procedures may be discussed for selected patients. Availability, evidence and suitability differ; confirm whether referral is required. Retaining the uterus does not establish that a procedure is suitable for someone planning pregnancy.
For selected focal disease, adenomyomectomy or other conservative surgical approaches may be considered to remove or treat affected tissue while retaining the uterus. These procedures are not suitable for every pattern of adenomyosis, and recurrence and reproductive outcomes require individualized counseling.
Hysterectomy removes the uterus and is a definitive treatment for adenomyosis when it is appropriate and the patient does not wish to preserve fertility. It should be discussed alongside other suitable options. It permanently ends the ability to carry a pregnancy; removal of the ovaries is a separate decision and is not automatically required for adenomyosis.
Adenomyosis can be associated with subfertility and adverse reproductive outcomes in some patients. If you are trying to conceive, treatment decisions should be based on age, symptoms, imaging findings, ovarian and reproductive factors, previous treatment and the timing of pregnancy attempts.
Seek evaluation if menstrual bleeding is unusually heavy or prolonged, period pain is interfering with daily activities, pelvic pain persists between periods, intercourse is painful, or you are having difficulty conceiving.
My Health Hospitals provides gynecology consultation in Tarnaka, Secunderabad. Dr. Swetha Reddy is listed for Tarnaka gynecology consultations: MBBS, DNB; 10+ years experience; 10 AM–5 PM. Confirm availability and any proposed procedure or referral arrangements before attending.

Note the days of bleeding, flooding or clots, pain severity and effects on sleep, work and daily life. Bring previous scan images, reports and a list of medicines and treatments already tried.
Tell the clinician about tiredness, breathlessness or dizziness with heavy bleeding, so assessment for anemia can be considered. Bleeding after menopause, between periods or after sex should not automatically be attributed to adenomyosis.
Explain whether pregnancy is a current goal, a future possibility or not desired. Some hormonal treatments also act as contraception. Ask how a proposed plan affects attempts to conceive and whether fertility specialist advice is needed. Keeping the uterus does not guarantee pregnancy.
Ask which symptom the treatment is intended to improve, its side effects and when to review the response. Do not choose or change medicines from a list online; suitability depends on your health and other medication.
For a procedure, confirm the treating specialist, location, alternatives, recovery and an itemized estimate. Ask whether scans, laboratory tests, medicines and follow-up are included. No verified fixed hospital tariff is stated on this page.
Urgent symptoms: Very heavy bleeding with faintness or severe weakness, sudden severe pelvic pain or severe pain with fever requires urgent assessment. If pregnancy is possible, pain with bleeding, dizziness or fainting needs prompt evaluation for an urgent pregnancy-related cause.
Tarnaka: H.No 12-5-30, WhiteHouse, Moula Ali Road, South Lalaguda, Tarnaka, Secunderabad, Telangana 500017. Call +91 91000 01201. For a general comparison, see our adenomyosis and fibroid guide.
Adenomyosis is a benign uterine condition in which endometrial-type tissue is present within the muscular wall of the uterus. It may cause heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, pelvic pain or no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms include heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, painful periods, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and an enlarged or tender uterus. Some people have no symptoms.
Evaluation usually starts with the medical history and pelvic examination, followed by imaging. Transvaginal ultrasound is commonly used, while MRI can provide additional detail when the diagnosis or extent is uncertain.
Yes. Treatment can include pain medicines, hormonal treatment such as a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, and selected interventional or uterus-preserving procedures. The appropriate option depends on symptoms, age, disease pattern and fertility plans.
No. Adenomyosis involves endometrial-type tissue within the uterine muscle, while fibroids are benign growths of uterine smooth muscle. They can occur together and may cause overlapping symptoms.
Adenomyosis may be associated with reduced fertility and adverse reproductive outcomes in some patients. If pregnancy is a goal, treatment planning should specifically consider reproductive plans and timing.
Depending on the patient, doctors may use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines for pain, hormonal treatments such as progestins or a levonorgestrel intrauterine system, combined hormonal contraception, or GnRH-based medicines.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate medical treatment, when there is a focal lesion suitable for conservative surgery, or when other clinical factors make an intervention appropriate. The choice should be individualized.
Adenomyomectomy is a uterus-preserving surgical procedure that removes a focal or selected area of adenomyosis. It is not suitable for every type of adenomyosis and requires careful assessment.
Pregnancy may be possible after some uterus-preserving treatments, but fertility outcomes vary and evidence differs between treatment approaches. Anyone planning pregnancy should discuss reproductive risks and timing with a gynecologist.
No. Many patients are initially managed with medicines or hormonal therapy, particularly when the main goals are controlling pain or heavy bleeding. Surgery is considered when symptoms, anatomy and treatment response justify it.
Transvaginal ultrasound is commonly used for assessment and can identify characteristic features. MRI can provide additional anatomical detail and may be useful when ultrasound findings are uncertain or when detailed mapping is needed.
Symptoms can recur after uterus-preserving treatment, and recurrence risk depends on the treatment and disease pattern. Long-term follow-up may be appropriate when symptoms return or fertility planning changes.
Yes. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is a common presentation, although not every person with adenomyosis has heavy bleeding.
Yes. Some patients experience chronic pelvic pain in addition to pain during menstruation. Persistent or worsening pelvic pain should be assessed because other gynecological conditions can coexist.
They are different conditions, but they can coexist. Both can cause pelvic pain and fertility problems, which can make diagnosis and treatment planning more complex.
Discuss your bleeding pattern, pain severity, previous imaging, medications, previous treatments, pregnancy plans and any fertility concerns. These details help guide individualized treatment planning.
Seek urgent assessment for severe or rapidly worsening pelvic pain, very heavy bleeding with weakness or fainting, fever with severe pelvic pain, or other symptoms that make you feel acutely unwell.
If heavy periods, severe menstrual pain or fertility concerns are affecting your daily life, a gynecology consultation can help clarify the diagnosis and treatment options.
Medical note: This page is for general education and does not replace an in-person medical assessment. Treatment should be selected by a qualified clinician after reviewing symptoms, examination and relevant imaging.
Patient information: NHS: adenomyosis. Confirm the diagnosis, available treatment and follow-up plan with your clinician.
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H.No:-12-5-30, WhiteHouse, Moula Ali Rd, South Lalaguda, Tarnaka, Secunderabad, Telangana 500017