Endometriosis vs. Adenomyosis:

Endometriosis vs. Adenomyosis: What are they and how are they different?

How many times as a woman have you heard, "Painful periods are normal"? What complete bullshit!

Two common (and often confused) causes of severe period pain are endometriosis and adenomyosis. While they share similarities, they are distinct conditions — and a naturopathic approach looks at both symptom relief androot contributors.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, or pelvic lining. It can even invade organs such as the liver. This tissue acts in a similar way to how it would behave in the womb: it grows in response to oestrogen and sheds as it would during a period. However, because this tissue is not in the womb it becomes stuck in the body and begins to adhere to pelvic areas.

Common Symptoms

• Severe period pain

• Pain with ovulation

• Pain during sex

• Bloating (“endo belly”)

• Infertility challenges

• Fatigue

Endometriosis is considered an inflammatory condition. Contributing factors may include:

• Estrogen dominance or I prefer the term Progesteron insufficiency 

• Impaired detoxification pathways 

• Gut disharmony 

• Chronic inflammation

• Immune dysregulation

Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.

Common Symptoms

• Heavy, flooding periods

• Large clots

• Severe cramping

• Enlarged, tender uterus

• Iron deficiency anemia

Naturopathic View

Adenomyosis is often associated with:

• Excess estrogen

• Impaired progesterone balance

• Inflammation of uterine tissue

• History of uterine trauma (e.g., C-section, D&C)

So to sum it all up - they are both shitty disorders to have, both cause pelvic pain. The key factor is where the tissue grows: inside the uterus is adenomyosis, and outside the uterus is endometriosis.