Adeno-my-WHAT?

Note: this post might cause the members of the male species to squirm. so if you are a male, you might want to stop reading here.

now you can consider yourself warned.

O.k., If you're still reading now I am going to say words like Uterus and period.

see. I told you.

O.k., first off, I just want to say that I am thankful for my uterus. It's been the home to three children and for that I am grateful. Although it had some issues with each pregnancy (fibroids the size of eggs, more fibroids, removal of fibroids and some gnarly pain), it still did a great job at doing what it does.

Really, after three c-sections you can't blame the thing for having some problems. For goodness sakes it was cut open three times after growing three babies in less than five years. So with that, I've got to give it some major respect.

However, it's starting to rebel. big time. In the past six months during the end of my... ahem... period.... I am practically bed ridden and on heavy medicine. I have been hooked up to IV pain medicine and given shots for pain during two of these times. Finally, the diagnosis came: Adenomyosis.

Here's what the Mayo clinic had to say about it. Maybe I added a few things in as well....

Adenomyosis is a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) also grows within the muscular walls of the uterus (sweet. how in the world did that happen)? This is most likely to happen late in your childbearing years and after you've had children (what the heck, am I really that old)?

Adenomyosis isn't the same as endometriosis (sure isn't), although women with adenomyosis often also have endometriosis (maybe I do, maybe I don't. I'm not sure). The cause of adenomyosis remains unknown, but the disease typically disappears after menopause (sweet. something to look forward to). For women who experience severe discomfort from adenomyosis, there are treatments that can help (like tons of pain medication), but hysterectomy is the only cure (bummer since I've really become attached to my uterus.. even though it's painful. sometimes things we love cause us the most pain).

Although adenomyosis can be quite painful (AMEN to that), the condition is generally harmless (phew!).

women with adenomyosis may experience:

• Severe cramping or sharp, knife-like pelvic pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea). (holy smokes.. knife like is right and then some..)!

(Here's where it gets really good): Your uterus may increase to double or triple its normal size (you better believe it is) Although you might not know if your uterus is enlarged, you may notice that your lower abdomen (no questions here. it sure is) seems bigger or feels tender!! (so there you have it folks.... I need a t-shirt that says "no, I'm not expecting, but thank you for asking. I just have Adenomyosis.... look it up)!!!

Risk Factors:

Women who have had prior uterine surgery, such as a C-section (check. 3 times check.)or fibroid removal (check), are at greater risk of adenomyosis.

O.k., phew. Now that we have a better understanding of why on certain days of the month I answer the phone and sound like I am on drugs.... it's because I am.

So... with all of that said, my question is WHO else has Adenomyosis? And If you do can we talk?

*please note that I am a new woman now & feeling totally fine. Check back in 28 more days and that might be a different story. However, for the record there are a thousand other things that I can think of that can be worse, so bring on a few aches and pains... it's a simple price to pay for what I received in return.