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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe cause of adenomyosis isn't known. Expert theories about a possible cause include:
- Invasive tissue growth. Some experts believe that adenomyosis results from the direct invasion of endometrial cells from the surface of the uterus into the muscle that forms the uterine walls. Uterine incisions made during an operation such as a cesarean section (C-section) promotes the direct invasion of the endometrial cells into the walls of the uterus.
- Developmental origins. Other experts speculate that adenomyosis originates within the uterine muscle from endometrial tissue deposited there when the uterus was first forming in the female fetus.
- Uterine inflammation related to childbirth. Still another theory suggests a link between adenomyosis and childbirth. An inflammation of the uterine lining during the postpartum period might cause a break in the normal boundary of the cells that line the uterus.
Regardless of how adenomyosis develops, its growth depends on the circulating estrogen in a woman's body. When estrogen production decreases at menopause, adenomyosis goes away.
References
- Stewart EA. Adenomyosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Schuiling KD, et al. Benign gynecologic conditions. In: Schuiling KD, et al. Women's Gynecologic Health. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett; 2006:577.
- Drinville JS, et al. Benign disorders of the uterine corpus. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2389400. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Katz VL. Benign gynecologic lesions: Vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178499985-2/0/1524/120.html?tocnode=53759294&fromURL=120.html. Accessed Jan. 12, 2010.
- Dysmenorrhea. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch244/ch244c.html#sec22-ch244-ch244c-211. Accessed Jan. 12, 2010.
- Meredith SM, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonography for the diagnosis of adenomyosis: Systematic review and metaanalysis. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;201:107.e1.
- Hesla JS, et al. Endometriosis. In: Rock JA, et al. Te Linde's Operative Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:438.
- Panganamamula UR, et al. Is prior uterine surgery a risk factor for adenomyosis? Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2004;104:1034.
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