Adenomyosis is a condition where the tissue that lines the uterine cavity grows in the muscle wall of the uterus. This condition affects about 20% of women and can cause diffuse enlargement of the uterus. Adenomyosis can cause heavy bleeding, painful periods, back pain with periods, and a heavy or pressure sensation in the pelvic or vagina. Only pathologic examination of the uterus can definitively show that you have adenomyosis, however ultrasound and/or MRI can show changes in the uterus that suggest adenomyosis. If a hysterectomy is performed, examination of the uterus will show the presence of adenomyosis. The only treatment for adenomyosis is removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), however there are other ways to manage the symptoms associated with suspected adenomyosis, including medications or a progestin-releasing IUD. We perform our hysterectomies laparoscopically or robotically so that our patients benefit from less operative pain, small incisions, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay (usually one night), less adhesion formation, and fewer surgical complications.