Wool Goddess

When I was in my thirties, I made the difficult decision to have a hysterectomy. Years of living with intense pelvic pain, heavy periods, and the constant drain on my energy had taken their toll. I was eventually diagnosed with both adenomyosis and fibroids, terms I had barely heard before, but that came to define a significant chapter of my life.

What surprised me most was how often people would confuse adenomyosis with endometriosis. While closely related and often share similar symptoms, they’re not the same condition. So, let’s break it down.

What is Adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis occurs when the endometrial tissue, the same tissue that lines the uterus, starts to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus. This can cause the uterus to become enlarged, tender, and heavy.

Common symptoms include:

• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Pain during intercourse
• Fatigue

One of the hardest parts for me was feeling like I was carrying a lead weight in my abdomen every day. I often described it as feeling like I had a bowling ball sitting on my bladder. For me, the symptoms became unbearable, and after trying multiple treatments, a hysterectomy was the option that finally gave me relief.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis, on the other hand, is when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, and even in distant parts of the body. Unlike normal endometrial tissue, this misplaced tissue has no way to exit the body during menstruation, which leads to inflammation, scarring, and often, chronic pain.

Typical symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Painful periods (often worse than typical cramps)
• Pain during or after sex
• Pain with bowel movements or urination
• Infertility
• Chronic pelvic pain

Unlike adenomyosis, which is confined to the uterus, endometriosis is more like a traveler, it spreads and often goes undetected for years.

Shared Struggles, Different Paths

Both conditions involve endometrial tissue behaving badly. Both can significantly disrupt your life. But they affect different parts of the body, and that difference often changes how they’re treated.

Adenomyosis is often resolved (or significantly improved) with a hysterectomy, as was my case. Endometriosis, however, may require laparoscopic surgery to remove lesions, hormone therapy, or ongoing pain management, especially since it can recur even after surgery.

Why the Confusion?

The symptoms of both conditions overlap so much, pain, fatigue, heavy periods that many people (and unfortunately, some doctors) may misdiagnose or lump them together. It’s important to advocate for yourself and push for answers when you know something isn’t right.

Final Thoughts

Living with adenomyosis was both physically draining and emotionally taxing. For years, I was repeatedly dismissed by healthcare professionals who insisted my debilitating symptoms were merely a “normal” part of womanhood. But there was nothing normal about the intense pain, heavy bleeding, and fatigue I endured each month. It took an exhausting amount of persistence to finally receive a diagnosis. 

That diagnosis brought a sense of clarity and validation. Eventually, I underwent a hysterectomy, which provided significant relief. However, I share my story because I know many others are still navigating their journeys with adenomyosis or endometriosis, often without a diagnosis, and frequently without adequate support. 

One aspect that deeply frustrates me is the lack of accommodation within the education system for students suffering from these conditions. Teenagers experiencing severe period pain that hampers concentration receive little to no consideration. There’s a systemic failure to acknowledge and support young individuals dealing with adenomyosis or endometriosis, leaving them to struggle in silence each month. 

“We need to stop telling women that pain is normal

Gabrielle Jackson, Pain and Prejudice

If you’re reading this and any of it resonates with you, please don’t give up. Keep advocating for yourself, ask questions, and seek the support you deserve. Your health and well-being are paramount, and you have every right to pursue answers and relief. 

It’s time we listen, believe, and act. 

Love and healing hugs