What are the risks of untreated adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is a condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue within the uterine muscle (myometrium), leading to an enlarged, often painful uterus, particularly during menstruation. When adenomyosis is left untreated, one significant risk that arises is the hypertrophy (increase in cell size) and hyperplasia (increase in cell number) of the surrounding myometrium. This is because the invasive growth of the endometrial tissue can cause the muscular layer of the uterus to respond by thickening and expanding as it attempts to accommodate the endometrial tissue.

This hyperplastic response can lead to various complications, such as severe pain, excessive menstrual bleeding, and alteration of normal uterine function. The thickening of the myometrium can also contribute to other issues, such as infertility and potentially impact the outcomes of labor and delivery.

While other risks like infection, ovarian torsion, and development of uterine cancer may be considered in the context of gynecological issues, they are less directly related to untreated adenomyosis specifically compared to the progressive changes in the myometrium. Hence, the focus on hypertrophy and hyperplasia captures a core consequence of adenomyosis that underscores the importance of management and treatment for