For many of us, our reproductive health journeys involve navigating not just one diagnosis, but several interconnected conditions that impact our daily lives, fertility, and overall wellbeing.
The reality of multiple diagnoses
The reproductive system doesn’t exist in isolation. Hormonal imbalances or inflammatory processes that trigger one condition can create an environment where other conditions develop or worsen.
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and then later learned you also have adenomyosis, or if you’re managing PCOS alongside fibroids, you’re not alone. Research increasingly shows that these conditions frequently overlap, creating complex symptom patterns that can be challenging to untangle.
Understanding the connection between Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
Studies suggest that up to a third of women with endometriosis also have adenomyosis.
While endometriosis involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus, adenomyosis occurs when this tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus itself.
Both conditions:
- Share inflammatory pathways
- Respond to similar hormonal influences
- Can cause severe pain and heavy bleeding
- May impact fertility
PCOS and its reproductive neighbours
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects hormone levels, causing enlarged ovaries with cysts. While its primary characteristics differ from endometriosis and adenomyosis, research indicates that women with PCOS:
- May experience more severe symptoms if they also have endometriosis
- Can face compounded fertility challenges when multiple conditions are present
- Often deal with hormonal imbalances that can worsen other reproductive conditions
Fibroids and their friends
Uterine fibroids – benign growths within or on the uterus – are incredibly common, affecting between 40% to 80% of women by age 50. They frequently coexist with other conditions:
- The inflammation associated with endometriosis and adenomyosis may create an environment where fibroids thrive
- Hormonal shifts in PCOS can influence fibroid growth
- When present alongside adenomyosis, symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain can intensify
The challenge and the future
One of the greatest frustrations for those with multiple reproductive conditions is the lengthy diagnostic journey. With symptoms often overlapping, it can take significant time to figure out which conditions are present and how they interact. A heavy period might be attributed to fibroids when adenomyosis is also contributing, or pain patterns typical of both endometriosis and adenomyosis might lead to incomplete treatment if only one condition is addressed.
While managing multiple reproductive health conditions presents unique challenges, there’s reason for optimism. Researchers are increasingly studying these conditions not in isolation, but in relation to one another. This holistic approach is already yielding insights that may lead to better diagnostic tools and more effective treatments.
Diagnosis can be a long and lonely journey. By sharing your story, you might help someone still searching for answers—and remind them they’re not alone.
*At Astrid, while we use the term ‘women’ in our endometriosis campaign, we recognise this reflects common but incomplete medical terminology. Endometriosis can affect people across the gender spectrum, and conventional language often fails to acknowledge this reality. We welcome and support all individuals affected by endometriosis, regardless of gender identity.
