A Guide to Managing Adenomyosis with a Healthy Diet

What Exactly Is Adenomyosis?

The uterus is a pear-shaped reproductive organ found in females. It plays an important role in menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy. However, there are multiple uterine conditions that can cause a negative impact on a person, including adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is a condition where the tissues lining your uterus grow into your uterine wall. Because of this, the uterus may expand and can even be double or triple its usual size. Although the condition is relatively common, most women may not be aware whether they have adenomyosis or not, since the condition does not always show clear signs. It is more common in women who have previously had procedures done on the organ or those who are above 40 years of age.

Apart from causing the uterus to expand in size, it also causes painful periods, abdominal or pelvic pain, and heavy menstrual bleeding, along with clotting.

Symptoms and Causes of Adenomyosis

There is no straightforward answer to what causes adenomyosis. However, experts have suggested that it may be linked to hormones, genetics, inflammation, or some other trauma. Some common symptoms women may experience that could point to adenomyosis include:

• Extremely painful period cramps
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Unexplained pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Infertility
• Bloating
• An enlarged uterus that causes tenderness in the lower stomach

Make sure you see a doctor if your periods are lasting longer than usual and if you are experiencing an abnormal amount of pain.

What Are the Risk Factors and Complications Related to Adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is more common in women in their 40s and 50s; however, some research suggests that the condition may be affecting younger women, too. Some risk factors can include:

• Previous surgery of the uterus, including C-section delivery or dilation.
• Women aged 40 years or older.
• Childbirth.
• Other uterine conditions, such as fibroids or endometriosis.

Adenomyosis may be present in women who are struggling with other uterine conditions as well, but it becomes increasingly difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are almost similar.

There are several complications related to adenomyosis, as the symptoms get worse with time. Prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding can increase the risk of anaemia, causing a person to feel weak or cold. Anaemia is classified as a condition where your body is not producing enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs) to carry oxygen to various organs.

Adenomyosis can also cause problems during pregnancy, leading to miscarriage or the delivery or pre-mature babies.

On top of that, adenomyosis can also disrupt your day-to-day life, making it difficult for you to carry out activities that you once could with ease. It may also cause stress as a woman constantly worries about bleeding through her clothes.

The Link Between Diet and Adenomyosis Explored

While it is true that diet alone cannot cure conditions like adenomyosis, we have seen how our food intake influences the body’s response to various medical issues. Before we get into the diet required for managing adenomyosis, it is important to note that the condition is oestrogen-dependent and pro-inflammatory.

Thus, patients would need to follow a diet that lowers systemic inflammation and helps the liver in processing excess oestrogen. To promote healthy oestrogen metabolism, go for foods like cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, etc). These vegetables contain compounds like indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which help the female body by breaking oestrogen down into safer metabolites.

One should also focus on incorporating high fibre foods in one's diet, such as lentils, beans, and whole grains.

Which Anti-Inflammatory Foods Should You Prioritize in Your Diet?

Anti-inflammatory foods are equally important when it comes to managing conditions like adenomyosis in females. Some food items that can easily be included in a diet are:

• Dark chocolate
• Capsicums
• Cruciferous vegetables
• Rosemary
• Turmeric
• Grapes

Anti-inflammatory diets you find online may prove to be too restrictive to be sustainable. It is important to reach out to a medical professional or a dietician to help you figure out what you can and cannot have for optimum management of adenomyosis.

What Food Items Should Be Avoided to Reduce Pain?

As we saw above, aim to restrict the consumption of food items that cause spikes in oestrogen levels and cause inflammation. Identifying and removing these from your diet may lead to a reduction in the intensity of menstrual cramps you may be facing.

Try to avoid:

• Pro-inflammatory fats: Yes, your body needs some Omega-6, but try not to overdo as excessive Omega-6 fatty acids can cause your body to produce Series 2 prostaglandins, which in turn cause painful contractions in the uterus. Steer clear of soybean oil, corn oil, and other general vegetable oil blends. You can instead use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil in your food.
• High-glycaemic refined sugars: Refined sugar leads to a spike in insulin, which promotes systemic inflammation and limits SHBG, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. This increases free and active oestrogen. Swap your white sugar and sweetened sodas with foods that typically have a low-glycaemic index, such as berries or honey.
• Red meat: Non-organic red meat has high levels of arachidonic acid, which is a fatty acid directly linked to the production of prostaglandins. Not to mention that conventionally raised livestock may be injected with hormones that could affect the female body. Instead of conventional beef and pork, go for wild-caught fish as they are rich in anti-inflammatory Omega-3s, poultry, or plant-based protein.

Which Supplements Support an Adenomyosis Diet?

Apart from the food items you consume and avoid, there are a few natural remedies and supplements that can help in the management and treatment of adenomyosis. This includes:

• Vitamin D
• Curcumin (Turmeric)
• Omega-3 supplements
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C and E combined
• Iron and Vitamin B12
• Probiotics

That being said, it is extremely important to consult a medical professional or a doctor before taking any supplements, as there is a chance it could make your condition worse depending on the medications you are on.

Creating a Sustainable Meal Plan for Adenomyosis

Since adenomyosis can cause a risk in a woman’s pregnancy, it is important for the patient to be kept on the correct diet, which will help her recover at a steady pace. Those following a proper diet should avoid:

• Alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes
• Too sweet or too salty food
• Acidic food items like pickles, lemons, and raw mangoes
• Spicy food like chilli, garlic, and onion
• Cold food

Instead, they should opt for:

• Milk products
• Berries
• Whole grain cereals
• Plenty of water
• Animal and/or plant protein
• Carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamin-rich foods
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts

Managing Adenomyosis by Making Changes in Your Lifestyle

While medical assistance is essential when it comes to uterine conditions such as adenomyosis, what are some other steps you can take to ensure you are doing your best to help yourself? Some positive changes you can make in your everyday life are:

• Being physically active: Engaging in regular physical activity can decrease the severity of the symptoms associated with adenomyosis. You do not have to do much; you can simply take part in activities like swimming, yoga, or even go for daily walks around the block.
• Working on your sleep pattern: Proper and adequate sleep is necessary for the body to relax and heal. This helps manage the pain and inflammation that come with adenomyosis.
• Limiting caffeine: Since caffeine can disrupt your body's hormonal balance, consuming it in excess may worsen adenomyosis symptoms. Along with reducing your caffeine intake, you should also limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid smoking: If you are an avid smoker, make efforts to quit the habit as it can cause multiple health issues, including adenomyosis.
• Keeping your stress in check: Stress and adenomyosis are linked in such a way that high levels of stress may lead to a woman experiencing an increase in the severity of her symptoms. How to tackle this? You can try including fun, stress-relief activities in your life, such as meditation, listening to your favourite podcasts, reading a good book, or even investing in a good colouring book.

Can Adenomyosis Be Cured?

The only true way of treating adenomyosis is by completely removing your uterus, which is known as a hysterectomy. However, hysterectomy should be the last resort if your symptoms are too severe to bear and you do not want to get pregnant. That being said, there are other treatment methods that can help ease the symptoms of adenomyosis.

These include:

• Medications: Patients may be prescribed painkillers to relieve their pain and cramps. Doctors usually suggest taking the medications a couple of days before the onset of your period and continuing to take the doses for the first few days of bleeding.
• Adenomyomectomy: This surgery is done to remove the tissue from a patient’s uterus.
• Endometrial ablation: In this procedure, medical professionals use heat to destroy the lining of the uterus. While it does decrease menstrual bleeding, it doesn’t cure adenomyosis entirely.
• Uterine artery embolisation: Tiny particles are used to block the blood vessels that supply blood to the tissues. These particles in question are inserted through a small tube directly into an artery. Now that the blood supply has been cut off, adenomyosis significantly decreases.
• Hormone therapy: Hormonal medications like birth control pills, patches, or even hormone-releasing IUDs can assist in managing the bleeding and the pain as well. On the other hand, non-hormonal medications can also be used to decrease menstrual bleeding. Consult a doctor before taking any medication.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, living with adenomyosis can be difficult. With that being said, small changes can make a real difference over time. Paying attention to what you eat and how you care for your body can significantly improve the symptoms that come with the condition. Choosing a balanced diet full of nutritious foods, staying active, and making the right lifestyle choices will not only improve adenomyosis but also your overall health.

Remember, every person’s experience with adenomyosis is different, which is why, along with lifestyle and dietary changes, make sure to stay in touch with a doctor to find an approach that works best for you.