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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor may suspect adenomyosis based on:
- Signs and symptoms
- A pelvic examination, which reveals an enlarged uterus that's tender to touch
- Ultrasound imaging of the uterus
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the uterus
In rare instances, your doctor may take a biopsy of endometrial tissue — a sample of cells from your uterine lining for testing — to verify that your abnormal uterine bleeding isn't associated with any other serious condition. However, such a biopsy won't help your doctor confirm a diagnosis of adenomyosis. The only way to be certain of a diagnosis of adenomyosis is to examine uterine tissue using a microscope after removal of the uterus (hysterectomy).
Many women have other uterine diseases that cause signs and symptoms similar to adenomyosis, making adenomyosis more difficult to diagnose. Such conditions include fibroid tumors (leiomyomas), uterine cells growing outside the uterus (endometriosis) and growths in the uterine lining (endometrial polyps). Your doctor may diagnose adenomyosis only after he or she determines there are no other causes for your signs and symptoms.
Although a blood test won't indicate whether you have adenomyosis, your doctor may suggest testing to assess your menstrual blood loss.
- 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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