Adenomyosis

Description

Adenomyosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. Abnormal uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhea are the most characteristic symptoms, occurring in approximately 65% of cases (Arnold et al., 1995).

Inheritance

Emge (1962) noted a possible hereditary factor in the occurrence of adenomyosis because of his finding of 7 mother-daughter pairs who had undergone surgery for adenomyosis over a 15-year period.

Arnold et al. (1995) reported a family with adenomyosis in 3 successive generations; 2 sisters, their mother, and their maternal grandmother were affected. Either autosomal or X-linked dominant inheritance is possible.