Adenomyosis is an inflammation that occurs in the walls of the uterus, causing heavy menstrual bleeding. Although it is not a cancer, this pathology must be treated as “malignant” since today we do not have an effective treatment for its cure. The only option would be a hysterectomy, that is, the operation that consists of removing the woman, which would prevent her from being able to gestate. So, can adenomyosis be linked to possible fertility problems? Dr. Ernesto Bosch, director of IVI Valencia, explains it in this article.
Relationship between adenomyosis and infertility
This inflammatory condition affects approximately 1-5% of women of reproductive age. Its diagnosis usually arrives between the 30 to 50 years of the patient. Although adenomyosis does not have a direct impact on fertility, it can alter the transport of sperm on its way to the egg, hindering embryo implantation and making natural pregnancy difficult. At IVI we have specialized units and state-of-the-art technology that help us detect these alterations in our patients with the greatest precision and help them, both when they affect their fertility and their quality of life in general.
Recent Research on Adenomyosis
At IVI we are aware of this reality. For this reason we are leaders of more than a dozen studies that allow us to advance in the knowledge of adenomyosis and its incidence in female fertility. One of the most recent studies carried out in the house, entitled “Adenomyosis decreases the live birth rate but may not affect perinatal outcomes in assisted reproductive cycles” was carried out with the intention of knowing if uterine adenomyosis is related to worse outcomes perinatal in treatments with donated eggs. This retrospective study, which includes more than 3,300 patients, shows that, although adenomyosis decreases the rate of live births by embryo transfer in patients with this pathology, it does not seem to affect perinatal outcomes in assisted reproduction cycles. This constant research work, as well as our personalized treatments, allow us to offer the best treatment options to our patients today.
Adenomyosis and Endometriosis
Although Endometriosis is an increasingly well-known pathology in society, both can affect the reproductive capacity of women. In this sense, knowing their symptoms is especially relevant in order to diagnose the two diseases early and be able to apply the most appropriate solution. In addition, a first phase of diagnosis would consist of not confusing endometriosis with adenomyosis, something that frequently occurs. And it is that despite the fact that it is not the same disease, in almost 20% of cases they appear together.
Treatment of adenomyosis to improve pregnancy rates
This issue was addressed at the past 10th IVIRMA Congress, one of the most important congresses in the field of reproductive medicine. In this regard, the research led by Professor Serdar Bulun points out that the cells that give rise to adenomyosis, that is, the endometrial cells that penetrate the myometrium, have a mutation based on which they present an alteration in the metabolism of estrogens. The consequence of this is that if you add an anti-estrogen for 21 days to the usual treatment for adenomyosis, which consists of suppressing the pituitary gland, the effect you achieve is greater, and with it a greater impact on the pregnancy rate. That is, pregnancy rates could be improved in patients with adenomyosis.
Your dream of being a mother at IVI
In our consultations we approach each case in a unique and personalized way, only in this way we achieve our high success rates. This makes us leaders in the field of reproductive medicine for more than 30 years, during which time we have helped more than 250,000 children to be born. You are just one step away from starting your path to being a mother. You can get in touch at 900847300 or by filling out the form to request an appointment at IVI and our team will call you.
