General Information About Intrauterine Adhesions
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
When the endometrial lining that coats the inside of the uterus and sheds monthly as menstrual bleeding is damaged, the opposing uterine walls tightly stick together with scar tissue.
The most common cause is a harsh curettage (D&C) performed to stop bleeding after a miscarriage or childbirth. If the lining is scraped too deeply during the procedure, the muscle layer is exposed, and as it heals, the opposing walls fuse together.
Yes. When adhesions block the uterine cavity (or the cervix), there is no healthy lining left to shed. Therefore, even if a woman's hormones are functioning normally, she may go months without a period or only experience spotting.
Because the inner walls of the uterus are stuck together, an embryo cannot implant, which directly leads to infertility. Even if it manages to implant, the restricted space often results in recurrent miscarriages.
It is not clearly seen on a standard ultrasound. For a definitive diagnosis, a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG), where contrast fluid is injected into the uterus and an X-ray is taken, or a Hysteroscopy, where a camera is inserted directly into the uterus, is required.
Medications do not dissolve adhesions. The treatment is a minimally invasive surgery called Hysteroscopy. Under camera guidance, the scar (adhesion) tissues inside the uterus are carefully cut with special thin scissors to open the cavity. Afterwards, a gel, an IUD, or a balloon is placed inside the uterus to prevent them from adhering again.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
