Nodular form of uterine adenomyosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Throughout life, a woman inevitably encounters some gynecological problems. Some of them do not pose a threat to life and health, while others, on the contrary, are fraught with danger. The diagnosis of "nodular form of uterine adenomyosis" can scare a woman. Is it really a dangerous disease? What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of nodular form of adenomyosis?

Definition

Nodular adenomyosis of the uterus is a pathological condition in which the internal epithelium penetrates into other layers of the organ, thereby forming some nodules, due to which the disease got its name. Such processes are benign, but they can significantly reduce the quality of life of a woman. In addition, nodules can form not only directly in the body of the uterus, but also in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and urinary tract.

What is uterine adenomyosis? In an accessible language, this disease can be described as the germination of glandular tissue in an organ cavity. At the same time, its functions are partially preserved, therefore, the nodes are filled with liquid. Nodes can be of different sizes. Expanding, they cause a woman discomfort, which forces one to turn to specialists.

Causes of occurrence

Today, medicine is still in search of the exact reasons for the development of the disease. However, there are a number of already known causes of the nodular form of uterine adenomyosis:

• hereditary predisposition;
• too early or delayed onset of menstruation;
• obesity, while it is believed that the higher the body mass index, the higher the woman's risks of getting sick;
• too early onset of sexual activity when the body is not ready for this or, conversely, belated;
• early birth (before 19 years) or late (after 35);
  
• inflammatory processes that occur in the internal genital organs;
• frequent stress;
• heavy physical labor;
• some postpartum complications.

In addition, mechanical damage to the uterine cavity, such as abortion or curettage for other medical reasons, also significantly increase the risks of adenomyosis.

Symptoms

Signs of a nodular form of uterine adenomyosis can be as follows:

1. First of all, you need to pay attention to unusually heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.
2. With large blood loss, anemia can occur.
3. At the same time, the woman feels a general malaise, increased drowsiness and experiences frequent dizziness.
4. Between menstruation, bloody brownish discharge can be observed, which does not differ in intensity and disappears within 1-3 days.
5. The strength of pain depends on the location of the focus of adenomyosis. For example, a woman experiences especially severe pain if a pathological process occurs in the cervix.

In addition, uncomfortable sensations often appear in the place from which the formation arose. For example, pain in the groin indicates damage to the uterine body, and discomfort in the vagina indicates adenomyosis in the cervical organ.

Disease and pregnancy

Of course, the joy of motherhood is important for most women. Therefore, having heard the diagnosis of "nodal form of uterine adenomyosis", expectant mothers begin to worry about a possible pregnancy. And not in vain, because this pathology is characterized by the formation of adhesions in the organ, which can lead to infertility. What are the chances of a normal birth and pregnancy with a nodular form of adenomyosis?

Such a diagnosis is not a final sentence, despite the high risks of infertility. In this case, it all depends on the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment. In this case, special attention should be paid to research for the detection of sexually transmitted infections.

It is also very important to treat adenomyosis even before the long-awaited pregnancy, since in this situation most drugs are prohibited. The same rule applies to detected secondary diseases.

What is the danger?

The consequences of the pathology can be as follows:

• with a large menstrual blood loss, which is characteristic of the disease, anemia can develop, which provokes oxygen starvation of the brain, as a result of which there is a deterioration in well-being, memory and performance;
• germination of endometrial cells through the uterus and involvement of nearby organs such as the intestines, bladder in the pathological process;
• ovulatory cycle disorders;
• infertility;
  
• the impossibility of implanting the embryo to the uterine wall.

In rare cases, a benign neoplasm can degenerate into a malignant one.

Diagnostics

The study of the patient should begin with a gynecologist, who will find out all the available symptoms of the nodular form of uterine adenomyosis, and also conduct an examination using a gynecological mirror.

At the same time, other studies may be prescribed to confirm the diagnosis. Among them:

1. Ultrasound with the nodular form of uterine adenomyosis at any stage of development will help to identify the disease. In this case, the doctor sees on the screen noticeably thickened walls of the organ due to the growth of glandular tissue, asymmetry of the uterus.
2. If the situation requires confirmation of the diagnosis or any points are not clear on ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging is required.

In addition, the diagnosis of the nodular form of adenomyosis involves tests for sexually transmitted diseases and related infections.

Treatment

After diagnosis, the necessary therapy should be prescribed. Most often it is complex and includes such treatment methods:

1. The use of hormonal drugs is due to the fact that adenomyosis is a hormone-dependent disease. Oral contraceptives, which reduce the level of the female hormone estrogen, can easily cope with this task.
2. Installation of intrauterine devices, which significantly reduce the intensity and duration of menstruation. However, this method is not recommended for women who are planning a pregnancy in the near future.
   
3. Surgery to excise nodes. This method is most suitable for women planning to become a mother in the near future. The operation is the least traumatic, as the intervention is carried out through small incisions.
4. A cardinal measure is the complete removal of the internal genital organs. It is indicated in cases of severe proliferation of the endometrium and the danger of damage to nearby organs.
5. With severe pain, it is recommended to take non-steroidal painkillers.
6. Performing electrocoagulation, in which the lesions are burned by the method of exposure to electricity.

In addition, doctors note the need for auxiliary therapy, which includes such methods:

• taking anti-inflammatory drugs, which are necessary to reduce inflammation and prevent the formation of new adhesions;
• high iron preparations that are used to prevent anemia;
• vitamin complexes to maintain the immune system.

If a secondary infection is detected, it is also necessary to conduct the correct treatment under the supervision of a doctor. Women with excess body weight are recommended to lose weight, as being overweight also affects the body's production of estrogen.

Is a complete cure possible?

What is uterine adenomyosis, accessible language? This is a disease that is chronic in nature, that is, there are periods of remission and exacerbations in which the pathology returns. The number of relapses that occur after conservative treatment of the disease in the next 1-2 years reaches 20%. Surgical intervention slightly reduces this percentage.

A significantly lower likelihood of a repeated resumption of the pathological process occurs during menopause, when ovarian function weakens. With cardinal treatment by amputation of the internal genital organs, the resumption of the disease is not possible.

Prevention

It is possible to significantly reduce the risks of a nodular form of uterine adenomyosis if you follow these simple recommendations of gynecologists:

1. Pay sufficient attention to intimate hygiene - daily washing with warm water, using a gel with a neutral pH, wearing natural cotton underwear.
   
2. It is important to keep the weight within normal limits. For this, it is recommended to eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. It is also necessary to give up bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol abuse.
3. Accidental sexual contact with unfamiliar people should be avoided, as this can lead to sexually transmitted diseases. They, in turn, can provoke the development of adenomyosis.
4. Once every 6 months it is necessary to visit a gynecologist, even if there are no complaints, since some diseases, including initial adenomyosis, can be almost asymptomatic.
5. Inflammatory or infectious diseases must be treated in a timely manner under the supervision of a specialist.
6. It is necessary to monitor the state of the endocrine system, as it regulates the production of important hormones.
7. It is recommended to find out the causes in a timely manner and eliminate the malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, as well as be careful about the choice and reception of oral contraceptives.

Conclusion

In order for a woman to be able to bear and give birth to a healthy child without any problems, it is necessary to seek medical help in a timely manner. It is also not recommended to use traditional medicine, especially all kinds of suppositories and tampons, without prescribing and monitoring the attending physician, as this can significantly aggravate the existing problem. Self-medication by any means most often only enhances the inflammatory process and provokes the development of new nodules.