Fibroids, adenomyosis and endometriosis all cause symptoms such as painful periods, sex and pelvic pain. That can make it very difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. And that's why, unfortunately, many women are diagnosed with fibroids or endometriosis when they actually have adenomyosis.

Of course, to find symptom relief, you need to know the true cause of your discomfort. So, our Georgia Interventional Radiologists (who treat fibroids and adenomyosis) are here to provide more information on each of these three distinct conditions. Read on for all the details.

Key Takeaway:

• Women with fibroids and/or adenomyosis can find non-surgical relief with minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures such as UFE and UAE
  
• Fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis all share symptoms such as pain with sex, painful periods and pelvic pain
  
• Tracking the timing of your symptoms can help you determine the cause of your discomfort, although diagnostic imaging is the best way to receive an accurate diagnosis

Is it Fibroids, Adenomyosis or Endometriosis?

As we just explained, each of these uterine conditions can cause you to experience similar symptoms. However, the conditions cause those symptoms for very different reasons. As such, they may need different treatment plans if you hope to find relief.

Fibroids are muscular tumors (usually benign) that grow in the interior, on the exterior or attached via stalks to your uterus. Some women have very small tumors, or only one or two fibroids. But some women develop large or multiple fibroids, and that can often lead to symptoms that interfere with your daily life. These include:

• Uterine enlargement
• Pelvic pain
• Pain with sex
• Long, heavy periods
• Passing blood clots during your menstrual cycle
• Anemia
• Back pain

In contrast, women with adenomyosis have endometrial tissue growing into the muscles of their uterus, instead of forming as its internal lining. This often results in symptoms such as pelvic pain or heavy periods. Women with adenomyosis may also experience:

• Severe period pain
• Prolonged periods
• Bloating
• Fatigue

Finally, endometriosis symptoms also develop when your uterine tissue migrates out of the organ. However, unlike with adenomyosis, it can form on many other organs in your body, causing pelvic pain all throughout the month, and not just when you have your period. Additional endometriosis symptoms include:

• Severe menstrual cramps
• Pain during or following sex
• Pain when urinating or passing a bowel movement
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Infertility

Clearly, each of these conditions can leave you with pelvic pain, pain during sex and/or heavy periods. And that can help us understand why women may struggle to get an accurate diagnose when experiencing symptoms of a uterine condition. However, by listening to your unique symptoms and using tools such as ultrasound or MRI, it is possible to accurately diagnose fibroids, adenomyosis and/or endometriosis. Keep in mind that some women may have more than one of these conditions at the same time, so you may wish to be screened for all three. Then, once you have the right diagnosis, the interventional radiologists at Georgia Endovascular may be able to provide non-surgical treatment for your specific condition. 

Embolization as Treatment after Diagnosis of Fibroids or Adenomyosis

While our fibroid specialists in Georgia don't treat endometriosis, our office provides non-surgical adenomyosis and fibroid relief with a procedure known as artery embolization. With UAE, also referred to as UFE, we block blood flow to the uterine artery using embolizing agents deposited via ultrasound-guided catheter. Once complete, women with fibroids will experience tumor shrink (and symptom relief) over the weeks and months following the procedure. Or, for women with adenomyosis, symptoms will improve as rogue endometrial tissue is targeted. Ready to learn more about UAE and explore your candidacy for this procedure? Click here to request an appointment at one of our three locations in Atlanta, Tucker and Stockbridge, Georgia.sis and fibroid relief with a procedure known as artery embolization. With UAE, we cut off blood flow to the uterine artery. Once complete, any fibroids will shrink. Or, for women with adenomyosis, symptoms will improve as rogue endometrial tissue is targeted. Ready to learn more about UAE? Click here to request an appointment