Definition:
Adenomyosis is uterine thickening that occurs when endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, moves into the outer muscular walls of the uterus.
Alternative Names:
Endometriosis interna; Adenomyoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The cause is unknown. Sometimes adenomyosis may cause a mass or growth within the uterus, which is called an adenomyoma. The disease usually occurs in women older than 30 who have had children. It usually occurs in women who have not carried a pregnancy to term. It is more likely in women with previous cesarean section or other uterine surgery.
References:
Katz VL. Benign gynecologic lesions: vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 18. Speroff L, Fritz MA. Dysfunction uterine bleeding. In. Speroff L, Fritz MA, eds. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005:chap 15.
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