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Adenomyosis

by AG
(TX)

I am 43 years old, and have recently been diagnosed with Adenomyosis (my uterus is enlarged by 2 and 1/2 the normal size), as well as a thickening of the lining of the uterus (18mm). My Dr says is could just be peri-menopausal, but recommends removal of it. I've found on the internet that it could be due to pregnancies, birthing, c-section, miscarriage (I've had all). I also found info that it could be due to high levels of estrogen. On my own, I have cut out a large percentage of estrogen in my diet, and products. I have also been using Progestelle for about 3 weeks.

My question is, do you think that by doing this, my uterus will return to normal? My concern about removing it is, if it is enlarged because of excessive estrogen and I don't change my intake of it, then the excessive estrogen won't have the uterus to go to, and could create fibroids or worse. Is this correct?

Comments for Adenomyosis

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Sep 05, 2009
 Adenomyosis
by: Anonymous

Thick endometrial lining will cause excessive menstrual bleeding a few years before you enter menapause. This is the body's way of getting rid of excessive buildup. Some doctors perform curettage to scrape some of that excessive buildup and/or prescribe progestorone.

In my 40s, I was always being told by my gynecologists that the size of my uterus is large and has a thick lining. My periods were very heavy during my premenapousal years. I entered menopause at age 50. Good news is that, after menopause, our estrogen levels go down naturally, so you will not have to deal with the consequences of high estrogen levels after menopause.
Sep 09, 2009
 Adenomyosis
by: Wray

Hi AG. Endometrial tissue is highly sensitive to both oestrogen and progesterone. Unfortunately oestrogen is an excitatory hormone, stimulating cells to grow, whereas progesterone is calming and prevents their growth. I don't know your other symptoms, but miscarriages are often caused by a lack of progesterone. So it seems to me you are short of progesterone, but you would need a high dose of about 200mg/day to see any effect, possibly more. Anything less won't help.

If you can use a high dose of progesterone each day, I believe the uterus will shrink, not down to it's size prior to the start of the adenomyosis, but certainly enough to prevent it's removal. You are in the beginning stages of peri-menopause, when the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone gets out of kilter. This is due to the anovulatory cycles which begin round about age 35. If you do have a hysterectomy fibroids can't form, as they are benign tumours found only in or on the uterus. It is essential as you say to reduce the excess oestrogen you have, cutting it out in your diet is good, although it's generally only found in livestock that have been given oestrogen for fattening, it's not found in plants.

Skin care is something else to watch for, as many products contain oestrogenic compounds. The safest way to reduce it, and the most beneficial too, is by using progesterone. You might care to read this web page. Please also read this one too, as oestrogen dominance often occurs and can be very disconcerting. Take care.
Nov 15, 2010
 Andomyosis
by: kelly

Age 35, was on depo for three years. Got off depo-shot was taking 250mg every three months or 2 and a half months. Started to notice pain went to the doc and got diagnosed with andomyosis. I hate the side effects of the shot. I was going nuts all over my body. I am going to try the Balance creme bio-identical natural progesterone from the vitamin shot it says its a 2oz jar with a total of 1020 mg. How much should I take to reduce this uncomfortable feeling in my uterus cause I don't want to go back on the depo shot. Other alternative of course is the hysterectomy, not sure about that yet? Please how many tsp should I try? How many times a day? I am allergic to NSAIDS so can't go that route either. Started decadron 1/2 pill every three days. I do good on dexamethazone. I hope it will help as well.
Nov 15, 2010
 adenomysis
by: kelly

Additional comment - I am on the nuva ring.
Nov 18, 2010
 Andomyosis
by: Wray

Hi Kelly I recommend 100-200mg/day, although I feel you could do with the high amount initially. If you follow my suggestion you'll need to use between 6-12ml/day or 1 1/4 tsp to 2 1/2 tsp. For more info please see the page on How to use progesterone cream. The progesterone will have an uphill battle against the progestin and oestrogen you are getting from the Nuvaring. You might even have to use more than the suggested amount above. Adenomyosis is similar to Endometriosis, you might like to read our page on this. Both are inflammatory conditions. And please see our page on Contraceptives. Take care Wray
Jun 28, 2012
 Adenomyosis at 25 years old
by: Michelle

I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis at 25 yrs - that was almost 9 yrs ago. Since then my uterus has increased to 16 weeks gestation. I tried Provera but that made me bleed for 8 months and I was hospitalised, the mirena coil was ejected from my body at every period (due to the large clots). All other drugs they tried failed to work and they do not want to do surgery because I want children. I started to do my own research since doctors have said there is nothing they can do until after I have children. I have researched Adenomyosis and started taking Myomin. There are two ways to block the action of estrogen. One is by attaching to its receptors (selective estrogen receptor modulation). This stops the signalling that triggers cell division in target tissues. Another method is aromatase inhibition, which reduces estrogen production by blocking its conversion from androstenedione and testosterone - myomin does both. I started taking it a week ago and my period is due, however I think its too early to see any benefits this time around. I have also read about progesterone cream but am a bit reluctant to take it because it tends to work initially then stops. Progresterone is highly fat soluble and once applied to your skin will store itself in your fat tissue. I have read that women have to come off it for up to 2 years for it to start working again. I may be entering the perimenopausal phase because I started my period at 10 yrs old and doctors have confirmed that my egg store is low. I am still hoping to conceive. My journey has been a difficult – I have yet to meet someone that was diagnosed with Adenomyosis at such a young age. I have been told it is rare but does happen. Good luck with your journey
Jun 29, 2012
 Adenomyosis at 25 years old
by: Wray

Hi Michelle Unfortunately the provera was merely giving you a progestin, and lowering your progesterone levels in the process. And the mirena was giving you another progestin called levonorgestrel. This has been shown to lower progesterone levels, plus impeding the blood flow in the uterine arteries, see here and here. Levonorgestrel is derived from testosterone, so has androgenic properties. This is the prescribing information here, and please see here too. You might like to read these comments here from women who've used the Mirena. I'm glad it was rejected. Very interesting info about Myomin, I'm all in favour of using herbs and other natural substances to heal. The aromatase drugs are to my mind one of the worst, and come with many adverse side effects. Progesterone lowers oestrogen levels and also has aromatase inhibiting properties, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Although the site did have one thing wrong, or certainly didn't make it clear which sex they were referring to…'Abdominal obesity is associated with decreased testosterone levels (or hypogonadism) and increased estradiol levels.' The reverse in fact, testosterone increases visceral fat, see here and here. Oestrogen increases subcutaneous fat. Continued below.
Jun 29, 2012
 Adenomyosis at 25 years old Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Michelle Progesterone doesn't stop working, or store in fat cells etc, there's info about this on our Progesterone Misconceptions page. I've been using it for 15 years now and it still works! Dr Dalton used it for over 50 years for her patients, and in none of her papers or books does she mention it stops working. What she does emphasise is that if enough is not used, it won't work. There's more info on this page here. If you want to know when you will enter menopause please ask your mother when she went into it. This gives a rough indication when daughters will. Peri-menopause begins 5 to 10 years before. The age of menarche doesn't always have a bearing on the age of menopause. We do have more info on our Menstruation page. And if you are wanting to fall pregnant, please have a look at our Pregnancy page. Please have a vitamin D test done. It's a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and is invariably low in any inflammatory condition. I don't have any papers on adenomyosis, but please see these on fibroids, another inflammatory uterine condition, see here, here, here and here. And this paper here on oxidative stress, which is behind all inflammatory problems. For more info on How to use progesterone cream please look through this page. Take care Wray
Jul 31, 2012
 Adenomyosis at 25 years old - response to Wray
by: Michelle

Yes – I know all about what progestin’s do to your body! I have read all about it and reel when I think about it. I am not obese – I exercise regularly, it is only my uterus which is enlarged and bulky. Unfortunately my mother was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at 36 years (I am 34 yrs old) so I have no idea when I will enter menopause and cannot gage it using my grandmother because she lived a healthy life in the country side – not interacting with any xenoestrogen and eating only organic fruit, veg and meat. In fact my grandmother had 1 of 5 children at 45 yrs old. I also had endometriosis, however this was successfully removed 5 years ago and my fibroids are very small. My main concern is the Adenomyosis and the damage estrogen dominance is causing to my fertility – I have a blocked fallopian tube. The Adenomyosis causes me to have very heavy flooding, I have been anemic for 10 years (my period last for 10 days) and have high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) due to the chronic inflammation my body endures every month. Ideally I am looking for a sympathetic holistic doctor who can perform hormone tests (e.g. estrogen and progesterone), other than vitamin D is there any other hormones you suggest I test? I went to my GP asking for the progesterone cream – but she said she couldn’t prescribe it to me. I’m a little worried about ordering online, I want to be able to trust what I am using. Through my research as well as taking myomin, I am also taking Magnesium, Vitamin B complex and fish oil. I really want to save my fertility and sanity (it is no fun passing clots that are a 5-10cm in diameter!)Any advice you can give on the type of hormone test to take and a holistic doctor in London would be appreciated.
Aug 01, 2012
 Adenomyosis at 25 years old - response to Wray
by: Wray

Hi Michelle It's interesting you also had Endometriosis, another inflammatory uterine condition. It's caused by oxidative stress, as undoubtedly adenomyosis is too. Very large amounts of antioxidants are needed to reverse it. I also advise using about 500mg/day progesterone for endo, particularly if there's pain. But I see from your comment here that you have very heavy bleeding. At least 400mg/day progesterone is needed to stop this, if not more. Plus 2000-3000mg/day NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), this inhibits the MMPs which cause bleeding, see our Menstruation page for more info. NAC is also essential for endo or any condition caused by oxidative stress, see here. You might like to read this page here for encouragement. I don't know of any doctor in London, but you could contact Julienne via her website here. She's a registered EFT practitioner, who also knows a great deal about progesterone and vitamin D. All our Saliva Tests are carried out by Genova Diagnostics in Surrey, please contact them for help on this. I would always recommend having testosterone checked too. I see I forgot to give you info on vitamin D testing etc. Please see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital websites. Blood levels should be 175-250nmol/L and not the 50nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Birmingham Hospital send out test kits for £25, the results come back about a week later. Continued below.
Jul 17, 2014
 What is Adenomyosis
by: BF

I have just gone to the fibroid clinic , due to symptoms that i have been getting. My stomach is en-largen about three times it's normal size. I am ten pounds over my normal weight although i exercise daily. i feel full regardless of how little i ate and am having severe cramps throughout my cycle. The doc told me that i have adenomyosis and that I only have two option in getting rid of my symptoms. i have never heard of this disease and I am scared. The UFE which is only 80% chance and an hysterectomy. i don't want to undergo neither of them due to the risk factor especially for the hysterectomy. I am looking for alternative and a more natural cure. Thanks for your advice
Jul 18, 2014
 What is Adenomyosis?
by: Joy

Hi BF

If you read the entire page above, you will see that Wray has gone into great detail about what Adenomyosis is and how progesterone can help.
Apr 30, 2016
 Adenomyosis
by: Anonymous

Hello, recently I have been diagnosed with Adenomyosis. A 3.0 X 1.7 cm of heterogeneous adenomyma on the posterior wall of the uterus and multiple smaller ones in the anterior and posterior walls have been spotted.
I would like to go in for progesteronetherapy...but not sure what should be the ideal dosage for me. Also, I have read that vaginal applications are more effective - which are the brand's that I could consider? Thx!
Feb 17, 2018
 Update
by: Bean

Hello,

I am in a similar boat to many of you. I want children but I am facing a Hysterectomy due to Adenomyosis. Could you all update us on how you are doing? What did you find out? What has helped you? I am looking into the same things, progesterone therapy and Myomin and also DIM.

One thing I will share is that there is now a better test out there called a DUTCH test that is supposed to be one of the most comprehensive hormone panels available. Maybe someone would benefit from trying this test? I do mine next month.

E
Mar 15, 2018
 Adenomyosis and PCO
by: Ivy

I was diagnosed with adenomyosis last year, the lining my posterior wall of uterus is thicken. I also have right Polycystic ovary. I read some thread that glutathione and NAC can help with this condition due to their very strong anti-oxidant component. Most of the thread I read they suggested NAC to people with endometriosis and what I have is adenomyosis, I think they're quite different to each other.

Just want to know if it is safe for me to take NAC? or i can take any glutathione supplement that will not complicate my adenomyosis and PCO at the same time?

Hope there's someone can help me, I'm still 26 yrs. old, I want to have kids in the future.

Thank you..
Mar 19, 2018
 Adenomyosis and PCO
by: Joy

Hi Ivy

Adenomyosis is similar to Endometriosis, both are inflammatory conditions therefore it is recommended that the same anti-inflammatory nutrients mentioned by Wray are used. PCOS is the same, also caused by oxidative stress and the same nutrients will help you. I see no reason why you can't take glutathione and NAC.

Progesterone cream will also help you, between 100-200mg is recommended, more if symptoms are severe. Also important is Vitamin D3 as mentioned above.

How to use Progesterone Cream

PCOS

Endometriosis
Oct 05, 2018
 Endo and Adeno
by: Fatima

Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis at 26 years. I have no kids and have never been able to fall pregnant. I have battled with flooding during periods, severe labour like pain during periods, heavy clotting, back pain, pelvic pain, fibroids, ovarian cysts and so many issues related to these two conditions throughout my life.

I have tried everything from gluten free, dairy free diet, naturopathy, holistic treatment, Chinese herbs and medical intervention but they all provided only temporary relief. I also take supplements from time to time but having had to take meds all my life and having developed a dislike towards pills, I only take them when I feel like it (Vitamin D3, NAC, DIM, Calcium D-Glucarate, B6, MTFH-5, B12 etc).

I also underwent two failed attempts at IVF. They said that I seemed to have no problems at issuing eggs, but when it came to implantation, the embryo never seemed to stick. I am 43 now and my husband and I have now given up on our dreams of ever becoming parents. After a very bad episode of clotting and flooding, my ObGyn put me on a course of norethindrone 10mg, Progesterone 200mg daily and testosterone 0.25mg every 3 weeks until my hysterectomy in mid December this year. He also ordered labs (hormonal panel and vitamin D testing) every 2 months. (Initially they found out that my ferritin levels and vitamin D was very low. I was given iron infusion and was asked to supplement with a prenatal vitamin that includes iron and also take vitamin D3).

My periods have stopped due to this protocol and so has virtually all pain. Since there is no pain, I have not stuck to an endo-friendly diet. I love dairy and have been taking it with my tea on a daily basis. I do notice that my stomach is bloated and it seems to disappear when I stick to endo friendly food. My doctor is of the opinion that a total hysterectomy would give me quality living after all the pain and suffering I have been through. He was the one who did my excision surgery for endometriosis and he knows the extent of damage inside me.

The question that has been plaguing me the last few weeks is whether I should really go for a total hysterectomy now that I don't have any pain? I do have vague discomfort in my pelvic area at times, when I have too much sugar or dairy or after intercourse (slight bleeding always). Many I have met who had endo or adeno or both tell me that this no-pain phase is temporary and both conditions are known to worsen with age. All my friends who underwent total hysterectomy due to endometriosis and heavy bleeding, tell me that initially it will be daunting with fatigue and menopausal symptoms but that they will disappear and that I will be happy as I start feeling better. My husband feels I should do it because he is extremely fearful of me getting cervical or ovarian cancer (history of other cancers in the family but not pelvic cancers).

I have been without pain for a whole year now. I don't know whether this protocol will continue to work until menopause (menopause in my maternal side is around 53 years - so another ten years) or whether it will worsen by next year. One of my main concerns is also that I have had high libido all my life and I'm worried it would disappear after total hysterectomy. I scheduled the hysterectomy at a time when my husband is on leave for 2 weeks so he could help around the house. If I let go of this time, it will be awhile when we can schedule surgery.

Do you know of anyone who had adenomyosis under control for a few years? What steps would you take if you are in my shoes?
Please help! I'm so undecided!
Oct 08, 2018
 Endo and Adeno
by: Joy

Hi Fatima

Only you can decide if you should have a hysterectomy, but if the protocol that you are on is helping, then I suggest that you continue with it.
Apr 29, 2021
 please follow up!!!
by: Anonymous

Please follow up with what happened. I am in the same predicament.

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