10 Home Remedies To Heal Adenomyosis + Causes And Diet

If you are looking for some home remedies to heal adenomyosis, you have come to the right page. Adenomyosis is a medical condition characterized by the endometrial tissue growing into the muscle of the uterus. This makes the uterus thicker, which leads to heavy bleeding and longer periods. Commonly seen in women of reproductive age, factors such as age and having given birth before may put women at a higher risk of developing adenomyosis. Dr. Kimberley Langdon, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist, says, “Estrogen and pregnancy aggravate it.” In this article, we explore the causes of adenomyosis and some holistic therapies natural remedies you can try at home to soothe the pain. Keep reading to know more.

Home Remedies For Adenomyosis

1. Heating Pads

A heat compress may enhance the blood flow to the pelvic area and help with relaxation and relieve the building pressure and pain in the uterus (1).

You Will Need

A heating pad or a hot compress

What You Have To Do

1. Place a heating pad on your lower abdomen.
2. Leave it on for 5 minutes.
3. Remove and repeat thrice.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day or whenever the pain strikes.

2. Massage

Aromatherapy massage on the abdomen can stimulate blood flow and relieve menstrual pain (2).

You Will Need

• 6 drops of any essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix six drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil.
2. Massage the mixture onto your abdomen for about 2 minutes.
3. Leave it on overnight or for at least 30 to 40 minutes before rinsing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day, especially when you are menstruating.

Quick Tip

You can use lavender, clary sage, evening primrose oil or rose essential oil for massaging your abdomen. Ensure you dilute it with a carrier oil before application.

3. Castor Oil

Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent

(3). Using a castor oil pack on the abdomen may help reduce the swelling and pain in the uterus.

You Will Need

• Castor oil (as required)
• Hot water bottle

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a little castor oil all over your lower abdomen.
2. Place a hot water bottle on your abdomen and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

4. Shepherd’s Purse

Shepherd’s purse improves blood circulation and alleviates the symptoms of inflammation (4). It may help with heavy and irregular periods by providing relief from heavy bleeding.

You Will Need

• ½ teaspoon of shepherd’s purse
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add half a teaspoon of shepherd’s purse to a cup of water.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Simmer and strain.
4. Consume the tea.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times a day, especially right before and during periods.

5. Ginger

Ginger

exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties (5). Thus, it may offer relief from inflammation and pain associated with adenomyosis.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of minced ginger
• 1 cup of water
• Honey

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of minced ginger to a cup of water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Simmer and strain.
3. Allow the tea to cool a little and add some honey to it.
4. Drink immediately.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this 3-4 times a day.

6. Turmeric

The curcumin present in turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory and healing properties (6). Thus, turmeric may alleviate pain and swelling caused due to adenomyosis.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 glass of hot milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk and mix well.
2. Consume this mixture daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least once a day.

Quick Tip

You can also add a little bit of lemon and honey to your turmeric milk to impart a wonderful flavor to it.

7. Calcium And Magnesium

Both calcium and magnesium may help in relieving the symptoms of adenomyosis by regulating the menstrual cycle

(7).

You Will Need

• 1000-2000 mg calcium
• 300-320 mg magnesium

What You Have To Do

1. Consume calcium and magnesium-rich foods, like milk, cheese, yogurt, salmon, sardine, almonds, spinach, quinoa, flaxseeds and cashew nuts.
2. You can also take supplements for these nutrients after consulting your doctor. You can also start consuming more vitamin D for better calcium absorption.

How Often You Should Do This

It is best to include small amounts of these nutrients in your daily diet.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera possesses soothing and anti-inflammatory properties (8). This may help with stress reduction and adenomyosis symptoms like pain, swelling, and inflammation.

You Will Need

1 cup of fresh aloe vera juice

What You Have To Do

Consume a glass of fresh aloe vera juice daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day.

9. Vitamins

Vitamin B complex and vitamin E play a significant role in the treatment of conditions like adenomyosis. Studies have found that vitamins B1, B6, and E can help reduce menstrual pain (9), (10).

You may get the required amounts of these vitamins by consuming eggs, milk, cheese, fish, poultry, almonds, spinach, and kale. Consult a doctor if you wish to take supplements for these vitamins.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

The external application of apple cider vinegar may help reduce pain (11). Thus, it may help in treating adenomyosis as well as other menstrual problems like bloating and cramps.

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and mix well.
2. Drink this mixture.
3. Alternately, you can also soak a gauze in some apple cider vinegar solution and apply it to your lower abdomen for relief.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

A blogger narrated her experience of coping with Adenomyosis and also provided a chronological account of her journey. She started taking cod liver oil, evening primrose oil, and magnesium) to manage her blood flow and pain. She writes, “My flow was heavy and gross (but not as bad as it has been not nearly) on Thursday and Friday. I noticed a difference immediately on Saturday. I’d say my flow was moderate, and my pain had reduced…Tuesday following (day 6 of my period) I am lightly spotting. I have no (or minimal) pain, and I feel pretty damn good (i).”

If these remedies based in naturopathy do not work for you, you can also try acupuncture treatments, chiropractic adjustments, Ayurveda, homeopathic medicine, and traditional chinese medicine to help treat your adenomyosis (12), (13), (14), (15), (16).

It is necessary to pay extra attention to the diet to recover from adenomyosis completely. Given below is a list of certain foods that may help in combating adenomyosis.

Best Diet For Adenomyosis

• Grains, like bran cereal, brown rice, oats, and wheat pasta.
• Fruits, like apples, berries, grapes, papaya, and pears.
• Vegetables, like cabbage, spinach, cucumber, carrots, celery, beans, peas, and potatoes.
• Spices and herbs, like mint, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and fennel.
• Other foods, like wheatgrass, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, sesame, and aloe vera.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that you can also try chasteberry, chamomile, and red raspberry leaf herbal teas, milk thistle, garlic, black cohosh dandelion root, licorice root, wild yam, fenugreek, ginseng, green tea, ashwagandha, rosemary, and foods rich in zinc, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids to manage adenomyosis. Consult a doctor before adding these herbs and foods to your diet.

Discussed below are a few lifestyle tips that one can follow to steer clear of adenomyosis in the near future.

Prevention Tips

• Practicing meditation and yoga asanas, like Adho Mukha Asana, Supta Baddha Konasana, Bhujangasana, Utthita Anguli Sukhasana, and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, can help you manage the symptoms of adenomyosis.
• Doing regular and pelvic floor exercises.
• Avoid processed foods.
• Reduce your intake of sugar and meat.
• Avoid caffeine.

Although the exact cause of adenomyosis is unknown, some factors may trigger it. The probable causes of adenomyosis are listed below.

Causes And Risk Factors For Adenomyosis

Dr. Langdon says, “The cause of adenomyosis is usually unknown”. However, here are some probable factors:

• Termination of pregnancy.
• Endometriosis – abnormal growth of endometrial tissues outside the uterus.
• Estrogen dominance – A condition characterized by excessive production of estrogenⁱ  A group of sex hormones that help in the development of the reproductive system and sexual characteristics. but little or no progesteroneⁱ  A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries that plays a supportive role in pregnancy and menstruation. .
• Swelling of the uterine lining.

A study analyzed data from 333,693 women aged 16-60 years in 2006-2015 to understand the incidence of adenomyosis. It was found to be 1.03% or 28.9 cases per 10,000 woman-years. In terms of prevalence, the overall rate in 2015 was 0.8%, with the highest prevalence observed among women aged 41-45 years at 1.5%. Adenomyosis poses a substantial burden on both individuals and the healthcare system. Around 82.0% of women underwent hysterectomies, nearly 70% had imaging studies indicating the presence of adenomyosis, and 37.6% relied on chronic pain medications to manage their symptoms.

The risk factors for adenomyosis may include:

• If you are in your 40s and 50s
• Childbirth
• History of surgeries on the uterus

Those dealing with adenomyosis may exhibit the following signs and symptoms.

Signs And Symptoms Of Adenomyosis

• Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Spotting between periods
• Tenderness in the abdominal area
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Blood clots during menstrual bleeding
• Severe cramps during menstruation
• Abdominal pressure
• Bloating

If you experience any of the above symptoms, consult a doctor immediately for proper diagnosis.

How Is Adenomyosis Diagnosed?

1. Medical History: You may be required to give your medical history and list out the symptoms.
2. Physical Examination: A pelvic examination is conducted to check for an enlarged or tender uterus, which could potentially indicate adenomyosis.
3. Ultrasound: Transvaginal ultrasound is commonly used to identify changes or irregularities in the uterine lining.
4. Hysteroscopy: This procedure involves inserting a thin, lighted tube into the uterus to check the uterine lining for any signs of adenomyosis.
5. Biopsy: It involves removing a small tissue sample from the uterus and examining it under a microscope to check for adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis can sometimes be confused with other gynecological conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. Therefore, getting an accurate diagnosis is essential. Your doctor may use one of the options above and look at your patient history to differentiate adenomyosis from other disorders. After the diagnosis, they may prescribe medications to help relieve pain and lessen the bleeding.

Infographic: 5 Easy Home Remedies For Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a painful condition that results in heavy bleeding and longer periods. If you are looking for natural ways to manage adenomyosis at home, you have come to the right place. We have rounded up the top 5 remedies that will help soothe the pain and swelling associated with adenomyosis. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can adenomyosis be cured?

According to Dr. Langdon says, “This condition cannot be cured unless a hysterectomy is performed.”

Is it dangerous to have an enlarged uterus?

An enlarged uterus is not of much concern if its cause is determined. However, if the sudden increase in the size of your uterus is because of a critical medical condition, it may have dangerous consequences for your health.

Is adenomyosis cancerous?

There is as little as 1% chance for adenomyosis to turn out to be cancerous. In about 99% of cases, adenomyosis is non-cancerous.

Can adenomyosis cause infertility?

Some studies do hint at adenomyosis being a cause of infertility. However, we need more research to arrive at a conclusion.

Can you get pregnant if you have adenomyosis?

Although the risk of miscarriage doubles in women suffering from adenomyosis, managing the symptoms may help with conception.

What happens if you don’t treat adenomyosis?

If left untreated, adenomyosis may lead to infertility or pelvic organ prolapseⁱ  A condition characterized by the inability of pelvic muscles to support organs in the pelvic area, resulting in a bulge in the vagina. . Living with adenomyosis can also be emotionally draining due to the chronic pain and unpredictable periods that accompany it. Research also found that women with adenomyosis are more likely to have anxiety, and the same pain is a risk factor for depression (17). So, timely treatment can make a big difference in managing your physical and mental health.

Is cinnamon good for adenomyosis?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that cinnamon can help treat adenomyosis effectively. However, limited data is available in this regard.

Can adenomyosis burst?

Yes. A very large cystic adenomyosis can burst (18).

Can I drink coffee with adenomyosis?

No. Coffee is not recommended for people with adenomyosis because it may affect vascular contraction, resulting in abnormal menstruation.

Can I carry a baby with adenomyosis?

There is no scientific evidence that adenomyosis affects the ability to carry a baby.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Kritika VermaMBBS

   

Dr. Kritika Verma is a renowned gynecologist and IVF specialist with over seven years of experience. She pursued MBBS from SGRR, Dehradun, and MS from UP University of Medical Sciences, Etawah (Saifai). She currently runs her own hospital in Ayodhya and is an active member of the Uttar Pradesh Gynecology Society.

Read full bio of Dr. Kritika Verma

• 
  Dr. Kimberly LangdonMD Dr. Kimberly Langdon, MD, is a retired university-trained obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience. Besides obstetrics, she also has expertise in menstrual disorders, vaginitis, infertility, menopause, contraception, pelvic pain, sexually transmitted infections, and minimally-invasive surgeries.
  
  Dr. Kimberly Langdon, MD, is a retired university-trained obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience. Besides obstetrics, she also has expertise in menstrual disorders, vaginitis, infertility, menopause, contraception, pelvic pain, sexually transmitted infections, and minimally-invasive surgeries.

Sucharita MishraHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Sucharita Mishra has a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and two years of experience in writing on topics related to Health and Wellness. She has worked on determining various heavy metals present in green tea for her Master’s dissertation at CSIR- CFTRI, Mysuru.

Read full bio of Sucharita Mishra

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications.

Read full bio of Dipti Sharma