Adenomyosis diagnosis in late 40s

[Autumnallaround]

Has anyone been told they have adenomyosis in late 40s?

I've been on HRT for a few years and had a coil for 3yrs.

My periods were horrendous. Some months, before HRT, I'd be on the bathroom floor doubled over from cramps. And then late 30s I started flooding. It never occurred to me to see a doctor, I assured everyone else's periods were the same!

Anyway I had a TVUS which showed Adeno. Having researched it, it might be the reason for all the years of pain and why I still have cramps even though I barely bleed with mirena.

I often feel like I've got period cramps and it's not my bowels, I don't have any issues with those. This is specific uterine cramp feeling.

I'm seeing gynae next week - private, what do I need to know? I presume as its a benign condition I can leave it as it is?

I'm now wondering though if it's the reason for my back aches and electric shocks in vagina and also whether it might be causing the reflux I developed a few years ago. And also why I can never finish a meal anymore!

Do you have this at my age?. Are you doing anything about it?

Yes me. Had a hysterectomy for this two years ago when I was 51. Has transformed my life. My experience with periods sounds like yours and I pretty much assumed it was normal.

@Barleycat did you have HRT/Mirena? Were you still bleeding?

I wonder what benefit I would get from a hysterectomy if I don't really bleed anymore?

The sort of cramps I'm getting are constant, imagine someone pressing in your pelvis with their elbow, hard. That's what prompted me to book an ultrasound, absolutely convinced it was ovarian cysts.

Waiting on a hysterectomy for this very reason. Horrendous period pain, pain during sex, back pain, shooting pain. Can’t wait!

@parkezvous that sounds awful. I'd only vaguely heard of it until this week!

I did have some gynae surgery a few years ago when consultant was going to do a laparoscopy at the same time to check for endo, but then changed his mind when I was signing the consent form and I was too terrified of my surgery to question it.

I don't think I'm anywhere near as bad as you.

I'm just wondering what to ask at the appt really.

I have considered whether it explains why I can't eat full meals anymore and I developed reflux a few years ago.

I was diagnosed 3 years ago at the age of 50 following a failed uterine ablation, apparently I already had a small amount of adeno previous which no one picked up from my scans and the ablation has made it all much worse. I pushed for a mri scan where endometriosis was also detected (they often go hand in hand with each other).

I am due a hysterectomy and excision surgery in October.

I have suffered from so much pain and a huge exacerbation in my upper and lower gut issues since all this began and I am certain it is all connected.

@UnitaBath thats rotten. Are you the poster with the terrible IBS? I've followed your various threads.

Maybe I should ask about Endo too?

Yes, it probably is me, I do have a long history of IBS which I am sure is related to my hormones and gynae issues.

I hope you get somewhere with it all, good luck.

Yes, me. Also thought my (awful) periods were normal. A mirena coil really helped (once it settled which took a long time).

@UnitaBath ditto good luck to you. Everything I've ever read says adeno and endo cause bowel issues, I hope you get to change consultant or this one listens to you.

@Chewbecca I have a mirena have had one for 3yrs. I suspect the conversation will be about reducing oestrogen which I will not be doing, I'd rather have cramps than the side effects from progesterone!