Adenomyosis: Complete Guide — Meaning, Causes, Bulky Uterus, Continuous Bleeding, Diet & Treatment

Adenomyosis is a condition many women suffer silently with, without truly understanding what is happening inside the uterus. Words like bulky uterus, continuous periods, thickened wall, or hormonal imbalance can feel frightening — but once you understand the mechanism, everything becomes clearer.

🔍 1. What Is Adenomyosis?

Inside your uterus, there is a soft lining called the endometrium.

This lining should stay only on the inner surface of the uterus.

But in adenomyosis,

👉 this lining grows inside the muscular wall (myometrium) instead of staying in its place.

Because of this abnormal growth:

The uterus becomes thick, swollen, and enlarged

Periods become heavy and painful

Bleeding becomes irregular or continuous

The uterus becomes bulky

🔥 2. Why Does Adenomyosis Happens?

Although the exact reason is not fully known, the most accepted causes are:

✔ Hormonal imbalance (high estrogen)

Makes the lining grow excessively and invade the muscle.

✔ Pregnancy and childbirth

Stretch the uterus; cells can get trapped inside the muscle.

✔ C-section or uterine surgeries

Openings allow the endometrial tissue to enter deeper layers.

✔ Chronic inflammation

Uterine muscle becomes weak; tissue penetrates deeper.

✔ Genetic tendency

Runs in families sometimes.

🩸 3. Why Does Adenomyosis Cause Continuous or Frequent Periods?

Women often describe:

“Bleeding for 15–20 days”

“Spotting before periods”

“Periods come too early”

“Brown discharge never stops”

This happens because:

1️⃣ Endometrial tissue inside the muscle ALSO tries to bleed

This bleeding gets trapped → causes continuous spotting or brown discharge.

2️⃣ Uterus becomes inflamed

Inflamed tissue keeps shedding → frequent periods.

3️⃣ Hormones are unstable

Low progesterone + high estrogen → unpredictable bleeding.

4️⃣ Thickened uterus cannot contract properly

Blood flow doesn’t stop → prolonged bleeding.

🧱 4. What Is a Bulky Uterus?

A bulky uterus means your uterus has become larger than the normal size.

Normal uterus size:

7–8 cm (like a small lemon)

Bulky uterus size in adenomyosis:

9–12+ cm (sometimes equal to a 2–3 month pregnancy)

Why does it become bulky?

Because:

Muscle is thickened

Endometrial pockets form inside

Blood gets trapped

There is continuous inflammation

The uterus works overtime

This causes symptoms like:

✔ Pelvic pressure

✔ Lower back pain

✔ Pain during intercourse

✔ Bloating

✔ Heavy bleeding

🌿 5. Ayurvedic Understanding of Adenomyosis

In Ayurveda, adenomyosis relates to:

Vata aggravation → pain, spasms

Pitta aggravation → inflammation, heavy bleeding

Kapha increase → thickening, swelling

Artavavaha Srotas Dushti → reproductive channel imbalance

Treatment Goals:

Reduce inflammation

Control heavy bleeding

Relieve pain

Shrink the swollen uterus

Balance hormones

Improve strength and fertility

🍽 6. Diet Plan for Adenomyosis

✔ Foods That Help

Warm, cooked foods

Ghee in small quantity

Turmeric + pepper

Jeera, ajwain, saunf water

Red rice / Millet

Greens (keerai varieties)

Beetroot, carrot

Moringa

Pomegranate

Nuts & dry fruits

Iron-rich foods

Flax seeds (omega–3)

Warm water throughout the day

❌ Avoid These (they worsen bleeding & pain)

Cold foods (ice creams, curd at night)

Packaged foods / bakery items

Excess tea/coffee

Red meat

Fried foods

Sugar-heavy foods

Long fasting

Late-night eating

Daily Routine Tips

Castor oil packs on lower abdomen (before period)

Gentle yoga (cat-cow, butterfly, child’s pose)

7–8 hours sleep

Avoid cold exposure

🌿 7. Ayurvedic Medicines (Usually Prescribed Based on Symptoms)

Always prescribed by an Ayurvedic doctor; dosage varies.

For heavy bleeding:

Ashokarishtam

Lodhrasava

Nagakesara churna

Dadimashtaka churna

For pain & inflammation:

Sukumaram Kashayam

Dashamoolarishtam

Hinguvachadi

For reducing swelling / bulky uterus:

Kanchanara Guggulu

Triphala Guggulu

For hormonal balance:

Shatavari

Ashoka

Musta

Panchakarma Options:

Nadi Swedam (steam therapy)

Abhyangam + Vasti therapy

Uttara Vasti (in selected cases)

Lepa on lower abdomen

These help shrink inflammation, balance hormones & reduce pain.

💊 8. Modern Treatment Options

✔ Pain control

NSAIDs (mefanamic acid, ibuprofen)

✔ Hormonal control

Oral contraceptive pills

Progesterone-only pills

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy

✔ IUD (Mirena)

Reduces bleeding and pain for 3–5 years.

✔ Uterine Artery Embolization

Reduces blood flow → shrinking the bulky uterus.

✔ MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound

Newer method to destroy adenomyotic tissue.

✔ Hysterectomy (last option)

Removal of uterus — only when fertility is not needed and pain is unbearable

❤️ 9. What Happens If Not Treated?

Severe anemia

Continuous pain

Emotional exhaustion

Fertility issues

Uterus enlarges more

Daily life becomes difficult

Early treatment gives excellent results.

🌸 Conclusion: Adenomyosis Is Treatable

It is not dangerous, but it causes major discomfort.

With correct treatment (Ayurveda + modern + diet + lifestyle), 80–90% of symptoms improve significantly.

You are not alone.

Your pain is real.

Help is available.