Hey, it’s Kate from Allokate. Today.

I am going to share my unfiltered experience with Adenomyosis. This is going take me sometime, so bare with me. In this blog, I want to share with you my first steps in understanding adenomyosis-

What is Adenomyosis?

So, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is adenomyosis?

It’s not just another complicated medical term; it’s a condition that can seriously affect your quality of life, Adenomyosis is a condition where the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrium). This leads to the thickening and enlargement of the uterus, sometimes up to two or three times its normal size. The condition can result in painful periods, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding with clotting, and abdominal or pelvic pain. While the exact prevalence is unknown, adenomyosis is more common in women over 40 and those who have had uterine procedures. It is estimated that 2% to 5% of adolescents with severely painful menstrual cycles may have adenomyosis. Many people may be unaware they have the condition, as it doesn’t always present symptoms.

The cause of adenomyosis isn't known. There have been many theories, including: Invasive tissue growth. Some experts believe that endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus invade the muscle that forms the uterine walls.

Pain from adenomyosis feels a lot like labor…all the time..

Many symptoms are in common with both conditions, but frequent urination and pregnancy complications come with fibroids. Adenomyosis is often accompanied by sharp pelvic pain and leg pain. Uterine fibroids don't necessarily ebb in pain or bloating as much. The symptoms of adenomyosis typically worsen as time goes on. The heavy menstrual bleeding associated with adenomyosis can raise the risk of developing anemia, a condition in which your body lacks sufficient iron-rich red blood cells. Anemia may lead to feelings of fatigue or coldness.

Adenomyosis can be challenging to diagnose, especially in younger women, as its symptoms often overlap with other conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. While the condition is more commonly recognized in women approaching menopause, younger women may also experience severe symptoms. In these cases, treatment options can be more invasive.

When I was 34, the most common recommendations I received were for a hysterectomy or exploratory surgery. These options were suggested because of the difficulty in diagnosing adenomyosis definitively without surgical intervention, especially at a younger age.

Diagnosis and Tests for Adenomyosis:

• Pelvic Exam: May reveal an enlarged, softened, or tender uterus.

• Ultrasound: Transvaginal ultrasound can sometimes detect thickening of the uterine wall.

• Imaging Scans: MRI scans can show uterine enlargement and localized thickening.

• Biopsy: Used to rule out more serious conditions by testing collected tissue.

It's important to note that the treatment approach varies depending on the severity of symptoms, age, and whether you wish to preserve fertility. Other options may include medication to manage symptoms, hormonal therapies, or less invasive procedures aimed at reducing symptoms without removing the uterus. However, in cases where symptoms are severe and other treatments have not been effective, more invasive procedures like hysterectomy may be considered.

Seven to Ten Days of Pure Agony, Every Month

For seven to ten days each month, my body betrays me in ways that feel almost cruel. It’s not just the typical discomfort that many women experience during their menstrual cycle—this is something else entirely. The nausea hits first, a relentless queasiness that makes it hard to eat, let alone function normally. Then, the cramps begin. These aren’t your average menstrual cramps; they’re sharp, relentless, and so intense that they feel like contractions. Having been through childbirth, I can honestly say that these cramps are comparable, if not worse in some ways. The pain radiates from my lower abdomen, shooting down my legs and into my back, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything else.

Sleep, which should be a refuge, turns into another battleground. My legs ache so much that they become restless, twitching and throbbing to the point where lying still is unbearable. Nights that should bring rest instead become sleepless marathons of tossing and turning, desperately searching for a position that might bring a moment's relief.

And then, there’s the cold. I’ve always been the type of person who’s perpetually chilly, to the point where I bring a sweatshirt to the beach and keep a blanket in the office. But lately, my body has added a cruel twist to this chronic chilliness. In the middle of the night, I wake up drenched in sweat, my heart racing, and my skin burning hot. It’s as if my body is rebelling against itself—one moment freezing, the next so overheated that it feels like I can’t breathe. These episodes leave me disoriented and exhausted, as if the heat is suffocating me from the inside out.

Each of these symptoms on their own is difficult to manage, but together, they form a perfect storm that leaves me physically and emotionally drained. I feel like a stranger in my own body, constantly at war with a relentless enemy that I can’t predict or control.

Disclaimer: Allokate Integrative Solutions is not offering medical services or clinical advice. Allokate is a digital experience for blogging and sharing information. I am not a licensed healthcare provider and do not operate independently under any false representation. I am currently employed by a private medical practice, and this blog is independent of that practice, its practices, policies, and reputation. The content of this blog reflects my personal and professional beliefs and instincts. Any clinical information shared will only be done with the permission and informed consent of the relevant practice, provider, and/or group.