'Adenomyosis may be invisible, its impact is not'

Adenomyosis affects at least one in ten women, a uterine disorder characterized by heavy, irregular, and painful menstruation. The severity of the condition can be debilitating; one patient described her agony as feeling like a "chainsaw" was operating inside her. Mathilde Barker, a 22-year-old content creator from Surrey who lives with both adenomyosis and endometriosis, recalled her most severe episodes: "When I was at my worst, it genuinely felt like I had a mass in my uterus and that it was dragging behind me."

The condition occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the womb. Highlighting the systemic issues surrounding women's health, a spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care stated, "It is deeply concerning that so many women feel dismissed when they come forward with pain."

Warning: This article discusses distressing themes.

While adenomyosis and endometriosis present similar symptoms, they are distinct medical issues. In endometriosis, uterine-like cells grow outside the womb, potentially affecting other parts of the body, whereas in adenomyosis, these cells are confined to the womb itself.

Barker, who has amassed over 500,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, noted that her audience quickly connected with her experiences of these specific symptoms. She was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 19 after undergoing laparoscopic surgery, with adenomyosis diagnosed two years later.

For many women, managing life with this condition is a source of significant frustration. Lauren Buckland, 36, experiences sudden, sharp pains in her uterus, lower back, hips, and pelvis. Recalling a particularly difficult incident, she said, "[Once] I was walking home from work, and I was in tears of pain and I didn't know what it was." Despite the challenges, Buckland maintains a resilient perspective: "This is my body and it's not working how I'd like it to work, but I've got to work with it. It's a bit frustrating, but it's just being a woman, isn't it?"

Emma Blackburn, a 34-year-old from Broadstairs in Kent, suffers from constant pain, describing sudden episodes as feeling like "labour pain" that shoots into her pelvis. Blackburn also has endometriosis and fibromyalgia, forcing her to structure her life around her menstrual cycle. She notes that she passes clots every cycle, ranging in size from that of a 5p to a 50p coin.

Blackburn advocates for greater public understanding of women’s health conditions, particularly regarding their physical and mental health impacts. Lesley Salem, founder of the workplace training organization Over the Bloody Moon, emphasizes the need to ensure that menstrual and hormonal health issues do not hinder professional opportunities. Salem points out that a lack of awareness persists, and while education is key to driving change, workplace stigma remains a significant barrier. She acknowledges that many women, particularly those early in their careers, fear sharing their struggles due to potential professional repercussions.

Medical experts agree that increased education and research are essential. Dr. Rebecca Mallick, a consultant gynaecologist at University Hospitals Sussex, argues, "It all starts with education on all levels." She advocates for early discussions about menstruation to establish that periods disrupting daily functioning are not normal.

Historically, diagnosing adenomyosis has been difficult because a hysterectomy was previously the only method to properly analyze the uterus, and the condition is not always visible on scans. However, research is underway to improve detection methods. Dr. Marianne Watters, a clinical researcher with Wellbeing of Women, is investigating whether adenomyosis can be identified through blood samples. She envisions a future where women might use at-home testing kits to identify the condition themselves. "I hope that in the future we'll be able to improve on the ways that we currently diagnose," Watters says, expressing surprise that the condition is not more openly discussed in public despite its prevalence.

The emotional toll of misdiagnosis or dismissal is evident in the experience of Zara Dedman, 38, from Kent. She reports that being "fobbed off" by doctors has severely affected her mental health, noting, "Each day, every month, I am hav..."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-20 05:10:39 UTC