What is adenomyosis?

BBC presenter Naga Munchetty has revealed she has adenomyosis, a debilitating womb condition. Naga says that condition means she lives with near-constant pain that it recently became so bad that her husband had to call for an ambulance.

“The pain was so terrible I couldn’t move, turn over, sit up. I screamed non-stop for 45 minutes,” she said on BBC Radio 5. “Right now as I sit here talking to you: I am in pain. Constant, nagging pain. In my uterus. Around my pelvis. Sometimes it runs down my thighs. And I’ll have some level of pain for the entire show and for the rest of the day until I go to sleep.”

As women, it’s safe to say we have a rather rough ride when it comes to reproductive health conditions. From regular cramps to excruciating endometriosis, there’s a lot that we are expected to suffer with silently.

As with endometriosis, which sees endometrial tissue grow outside of the uterus, adenomyosis affects one in 10 women, but can often go undiagnosed for years.

What is adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is a condition that sees the lining of the womb bury into the muscular wall of the womb, which is just as painful as it sounds.

According to the NHS, the condition can either affect the whole womb or just one part of the womb. While it is not life-threatening, it can have a big impact on your day to day life. The cause of adenomyosis is not known.

What are the signs and symptoms of adenomyosis?

Some signs of adenomyosis include:

• Severe period pain
• A feeling of pressure in your stomach
• Bloating
• Heavy and long lasting periods
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Painful sex

How is adenomyosis diagnosed?

If you notice any of the above symptoms, or have prolonged heavy bleeding or severe cramping during your period that affects daily activities then you should make an appointment with your GP.

Your doctor can then determine your diagnosis based on a number of things including your symptoms, a pelvic exam, an ultrasound or an MRI.

How can you treat adenomyosis?

For many women, adenomyosis often goes away after menopause so treatment can depend on what stage of life you are at.

Some treatments include anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen, hormone medications or, in serious circumstances, a hysterectomy.