Adenomyosis and HIFU Ablation

Adenomyosis is due to the invasion or presence of endometrial glands in the uterine myometrium accompanied by hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the surrounding muscle cells, forming diffuse or focal lesions. Adenomyosis occurs most often in women between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can also be in younger women who have not had children. The incidence of adenomyosis is about 20–30% of reproductive-aged women, but this varies according to the particular population [1]. Recently, there appears to have a significant increase in the incidence and younger age patients. Thirty-five percent of patients are without symptoms, 15–30% associated with pelvic endometriosis, and 50% with uterine fibroids. The pathogenesis of adenomyosis is unknown, but in some patients, there is a belief that any intrauterine manipulations such as surgical termination of pregnancy can damage the endometrium’s basal layer, causing the endometrial gland to invade into the myometrium thus increasing the extent and severity of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis can then lead to dysmenorrhea and increased menstrual flow, infertility, and other related symptoms [2]. This disease seriously affects women’s physical and mental health.