Adenomyosis vs Endometriosis: What's the Difference?
Adenomyosis is when endometrial tissue grows into the uterine muscle wall, causing heavy, painful periods and an enlarged uterus. Endometriosis is when similar tissue grows outside the uterus. They often coexist, have overlapping symptoms, but differ in diagnosis and treatment.
Key differences
Both involve tissue growing where it should not, but the location and treatment differ.
- Location: adenomyosis is inside the uterine wall; endo is outside the uterus.
- Diagnosis: adenomyosis via ultrasound or MRI; endo via laparoscopy.
- Treatment: adenomyosis is often treated with hormones or hysterectomy; endo with excision surgery.
- Up to 50% of women with one have the other too.
Know what your body needs, every day
PhaseBloom turns your cycle into a day-by-day plan for how to eat, move, rest, and care for your skin, so you stop guessing and start working with your hormones.
Know what your body needs, every day
PhaseBloom turns your cycle into a day-by-day plan for how to eat, move, rest, and care for your skin, so you stop guessing and start working with your hormones.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have adenomyosis and endometriosis together?
Yes. Studies suggest up to 50% of women with one condition have the other. Symptoms overlap, so both should be considered when diagnosing pelvic pain and heavy periods.
Is adenomyosis worse than endometriosis?
Neither is universally worse. Adenomyosis tends to cause heavier periods; endo causes more widespread pelvic pain. Both significantly affect quality of life and deserve treatment.