Everything You Need to Know About Adenomyosis, the Condition Gabrielle Union Was Just Diagnosed With

Although experts haven't been able to zero in on a specific reason some individuals get adenomyosis, they have a few theories. According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers think the condition's root cause may be from:

• Invasive tissue growth. When endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus go into the muscle that forms the uterine walls, adenomyosis can occur as a result. Uterine incisions — like a C-section — might promote the direct invasion of the endometrial cells into the wall of the uterus.
• Uterine inflammation from childbirth. There may be a link between adenomyosis and the process of childbirth. Inflammation of the uterine lining during the postpartum period might can potentially lead to a break in the normal boundary of cells that line the uterus.
• Simply being born with the it. Some researchers believe that condition can develop while a baby is still a fetus.
• Stem cells. Another theory is that bone marrow stem cells may actually be invading the uterine muscle in some patients, causing adenomyosis to develop.

In general, adenomyosis is treated on a case-by-case basis, depending on a woman's symptoms. Many doctors will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen) or recommend hormone therapy, particularly if the patient suffers from very heavy or painful periods.

Women with adenomyosis can also look into getting minimally invasive surgeries such as: uterine artery embolization (a procedure meant to decrease blood flow to the affected area) or an endometrial ablation (a procedure used to erode the lining of the uterus).