Venus Williams Marries Andrea Preti: What Is Adenomyoma and How the Diagnosis Strengthened Their Bond

Tennis legend Venus Williams married Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti in a private, multi-part celebration now held in Palm Beach, Florida, with her close friends and family. Williams and Preti had

another celebration in Italy in September. Williams has publicly stated that her adenomyoma diagnosis and Preti's subsequent support actually occurred early in their relationship and helped strengthen their bond. Earlier this year, Venus revealed that she has been contending with uterine fibroids and adenomyosis for nearly 30 years. These non-cancerous growths in the uterus can cause heavy bleeding, severe cramps, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. Venus underwent a myomectomy to remove fibroids and a large focal adenomyoma that was embedded in the muscle of her uterus.

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What is adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus or endometrium starts to grow into the muscle wall of your uterus. It causes your uterus to thicken and enlarge, and sometimes, even double or triple its usual size. Adenomyosis leads to painful periods, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding with clotting, and abdominal/pelvic pain. According to experts, not many women are aware they have adenomyosis because it does not always cause symptoms. The exact prevalence of adenomyosis is unknown, but experts believe it is more common in people who:

• Have had a procedure on their uterus.
• Are older than 40 years of age
• Approximately 2 to 5 per cent of adolescents with severely painful cycles have adenomyosis.

Signs and symptoms of adenomyosis

According to doctors, around one in three women with adenomyosis do not have the signs or symptoms of this condition. Many of them experience:

• Painful menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Infertility
• Enlarged uterus
• Bloating or fullness in the belly

How is adenomyosis diagnosed and treated?

Doctors say they often suspect adenomyosis based on your symptoms and one or more of these tests:

Pelvic exam

During an exam, your doctor may notice that your uterus has gotten larger, softer, or is painful to the touch.

Ultrasound

A transvaginal ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of your pelvic organs. These images sometimes show thickening of your uterine wall.

Imaging scans

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI scans, can show uterine enlargement and thickening of certain areas of your uterus. Doctors say they rule out more serious conditions with a biopsy. During a biopsy, your provider collects tissue and tests it for signs of more serious diseases. Since the hormone estrogen promotes endometrial tissue growth, adenomyosis symptoms often go away after menopause. In the meantime, the following treatments help ease pain and lower heavy bleeding:

• Pain medications like NSAIDS
• Hormonal medications that help with menstruation and abnormal bleeding, which include birth control pills and hormonal intrauterine devices
• Nonhormonal medication like tranexamic acid, which reduces vaginal bleeding.