Melaney Ricardo recently underwent Hysterectomy surgery, which was caused by complaints of unbearable pain during menstruation (menstruation). Melaney Ricardo checked himself into EMC Pulomas Hospital and consulted with an expert doctor, namely dr. Caroline Tirtajasa, Sp.OG(K), Gynecologist and Obstetrics Consultant, Fertility and Reproductive Hormones subspecialist, Laparoscopic Surgeon at EMC Pulomas Hospital. According to the results of the doctor's analysis, Melaney Ricardo was diagnosed with Adenomyosis ( Adenomyosis ).
Adenomyosis ( Adenomyosis ) is the finding of endometriosis tissue in the uterine muscle. Endometriosis can grow into places where it shouldn't, such as the ovaries, uterine muscles, pelvic lining and other organs. This disease is usually characterized by pain during menstruation (menstruation) or during intercourse. Other symptoms are pelvic pain, heavy menstruation, buttock pain and pain that radiates from the lower abdomen up or to the back and difficulty getting pregnant.
Endometriosis can be divided into stages I-II and stages III-IV where in stages I-II, endometriosis is found only in the form of endometriosis patches on the abdominal wall or pelvis while in stages III-IV endometriosis is found in the form of endometriosis cysts in the ovaries or adenomyosis in the muscles womb. Stage I-II endometriosis cannot be seen by transrectal or transvaginal ultrasound or even MRI. Diagnosis of endometriosis stages I-II can only be done through a laparoscopic procedure where a camera is inserted through a 1 cm hole in the abdomen to be able to see patches of endometriosis on the abdominal wall or pelvis. So for patients with symptoms of severe menstrual pain but no abnormalities are found through an ultrasound examination, it is not certain that there is no endometriosis.
There are several ways to treat Adenonomyosis ( adenomyosis ), including by:
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce and relieve pain and pain that arise during menstruation ( menstruation ) while reducing menstrual blood flow. Anti-pain drugs are only to reduce pain and are not endometriosis drugs so endometriosis continues to grow.
- Taking hormone-suppressing drugs to reduce heavy bleeding and pain from adenomyosis.
- Undergoing uterine removal surgery ( Hysterectomy ) as performed by Melaney Ricado. This is definitive / complete.
But keep in mind that drug therapy is only temporary and very limited and does NOT eliminate adenomyosis. And these drugs have some side effects. Drug therapy creates an "artificial pregnancy" condition by administering hormonal drugs such as birth control pills and progestagen hormones. Or create an "artificial menopause" condition by administering hormone-suppressing drugs that are limited to a maximum of only 6 months. As soon as the drug is stopped and menstruation returns to normal, the journey of endometriosis will also resume.
After following Melaney Ricardo's journey in undergoing Uterine Removal Surgery (Hysterectomy) due to Adenomyosis, it's a good idea to start paying attention to the condition of your reproductive health and that of your loved ones. Don't forget to immediately check with your obstetrician (obstetrics and gynecology specialist) when you find problems related to your reproductive health conditions or those you love.