Medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis are known as common sources of gynecological pain for women in New Mexico and across the United States. One lesser-known condition known as adenomyosis is another common condition that has recently made headlines as practitioners learn more about it.
Adenomyosis is the endometriosis of the uterus. The condition occurs when the tissue that is supposed to be lining the inside of the uterus grows within the uterine wall. It can cause debilitating pain, abnormal bleeding and fertility problems. Though 1 out of every 10 women has adenomyosis, it is often misdiagnosed as it mimics other gynecologic conditions.
The condition doesn’t show up on ultrasound and there is no blood test that checks for adenomyosis. Though magnetic resonance imaging is the primary way it is diagnosed, women with adenomyosis often also present with fibroids. These fibroids may block the technician from getting a clear picture of the uterus and leave the condition un-diagnosed. Doctors often tell women with adenomyosis that nothing is wrong or prescribe medications to treat other conditions that don’t help. These women may be left with severe pain and infertility with no clear solutions. The only current treatment for adenomyosis is a partial hysterectomy.
Being misdiagnosed with another condition when a woman has adenomyosis may cause unnecessary pain and suffering, costly medical bills and lost wages due to time off of work. Doctors have the responsibility to listen to their patients and take the time to diagnose a condition correctly. When this doesn’t occur, the doctor may have committed medical malpractice. Medical malpractice must involve negligence for an individual to receive medical and compensatory damages in a suit. In this case, a woman who was misdiagnosed may be able to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice against the doctor if the doctor dismissed the symptoms without running the proper tests. A lawyer might be able to file a civil suit on the woman’s behalf.