Asherman's syndrome (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' {{skhan}} | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' {{skhan}} | ||
'''''Synonyms and Keywords:''''' Uterine synechiae | '''''Synonyms and Keywords:''''' Uterine synechiae | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Asherman syndrome is the formation of intrauterine adhesions (scar tissue), which typically develop after uterine surgery. | Asherman's syndrome is the formation of intrauterine adhesions (scar tissue), which typically develop after uterine surgery. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Asherman’s syndrome?== | ==What are the symptoms of Asherman’s syndrome?== | ||
*The adhesions may cause [[Secondary amenorrhea (patient information)|amenorrhea]] (lack of menstrual periods), [[Miscarriage (patient information)|repeated miscarriages]], and [[Infertility (patient information)|infertility]]. | *The adhesions may cause [[Secondary amenorrhea (patient information)|amenorrhea]] (lack of menstrual periods), [[Miscarriage (patient information)|repeated miscarriages]], and [[Infertility (patient information)|infertility]]. | ||
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==What causes Asherman’s syndrome?== | ==What causes Asherman’s syndrome?== | ||
*Asherman syndrome is a rare condition. | |||
*Asherman syndrome is a rare condition. | |||
*In most cases, it occurs in women who have had several [[D&C|dilatation and curettage]] procedures. | *In most cases, it occurs in women who have had several [[D&C|dilatation and curettage]] procedures. | ||
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==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
*Call your health care provider if your menstrual periods do not resume after a gynecologic or obstetrical procedure. | |||
*Call your health care provider if your menstrual periods do not resume after a gynecologic or obstetrical procedure. | |||
*An evaluation for [[Infertility (patient information)|infertility]] is also warranted if you are unable to achieve a pregnancy after 6 to 12 months of trying. | *An evaluation for [[Infertility (patient information)|infertility]] is also warranted if you are unable to achieve a pregnancy after 6 to 12 months of trying. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
*A pelvic exam is usually normal. | *A pelvic exam is usually normal. | ||
*Tests may include: | *Tests may include: | ||
:*[[Hysteroscopy]] | :*[[Hysteroscopy]] | ||
:*Hysterosonogram | :*Hysterosonogram | ||
:*[[Infertility (patient information)|Infertility evaluation]] | :*[[Infertility (patient information)|Infertility evaluation]] | ||
:*[[Transvaginal ultrasound|Transvaginal ultrasound examination]] | :*[[Transvaginal ultrasound|Transvaginal ultrasound examination]] | ||
:*Blood tests to detect [[Tuberculosis (patient information)|tuberculosis]] or [[schistosomiasis]] | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
*Treatment involves surgery to cut and remove the adhesions or scar tissue. This can usually be done with [[hysteroscopy]], which uses small instruments and a camera placed into the uterus through the cervix. | *Treatment involves surgery to cut and remove the adhesions or scar tissue. This can usually be done with [[hysteroscopy]], which uses small instruments and a camera placed into the uterus through the cervix. | ||
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
*Asherman syndrome can be cured in most women with surgery, although sometimes more than one procedure will be necessary. | *Asherman syndrome can be cured in most women with surgery, although sometimes more than one procedure will be necessary. | ||
*Women who are [[Infertility (patient information)|infertile]] because of Asherman syndrome may have a successful pregnancy after treatment. | *Women who are [[Infertility (patient information)|infertile]] because of Asherman syndrome may have a successful pregnancy after treatment. | ||
*Successful pregnancy depends on the severity of Asherman syndrome and the difficulty of the treatment, as well as other factors that affect fertility and pregnancy. | *Successful pregnancy depends on the severity of Asherman syndrome and the difficulty of the treatment, as well as other factors that affect fertility and pregnancy. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
*Complications of hysteroscopic surgery are uncommon and include bleeding, perforation of the uterus, and pelvic infection. | *Complications of hysteroscopic surgery are uncommon and include bleeding, perforation of the uterus, and pelvic infection. | ||
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==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Most cases of Asherman syndrome cannot be predicted or prevented. | Most cases of Asherman syndrome cannot be predicted or prevented. | ||
==Support groups== | ==Support groups== | ||
Latest revision as of 16:14, 1 August 2022
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Asherman’s syndrome |
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Asherman’s syndrome On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Saud Khan M.D.
Synonyms and Keywords: Uterine synechiae
Overview
Asherman's syndrome is the formation of intrauterine adhesions (scar tissue), which typically develop after uterine surgery.
What are the symptoms of Asherman’s syndrome?
- The adhesions may cause amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods), repeated miscarriages, and infertility.
- However, such symptoms could be related to several conditions. They are more likely to indicate Asherman syndrome if they occur suddenly after a D&C or other uterine surgery.
What causes Asherman’s syndrome?
- Asherman syndrome is a rare condition.
- In most cases, it occurs in women who have had several dilatation and curettage procedures.
- A severe pelvic infection unrelated to surgery may also lead to Asherman syndrome.
- Intrauterine adhesions can also form after infection with tuberculosis or schistosomiasis. These infections are rare in the United States, and uterine complications such as Asherman syndrome related to these infections are even less common.
When to seek urgent medical care?
- Call your health care provider if your menstrual periods do not resume after a gynecologic or obstetrical procedure.
- An evaluation for infertility is also warranted if you are unable to achieve a pregnancy after 6 to 12 months of trying.
Diagnosis
- A pelvic exam is usually normal.
- Tests may include:
- Hysteroscopy
- Hysterosonogram
- Infertility evaluation
- Transvaginal ultrasound examination
- Blood tests to detect tuberculosis or schistosomiasis
Treatment options
- Treatment involves surgery to cut and remove the adhesions or scar tissue. This can usually be done with hysteroscopy, which uses small instruments and a camera placed into the uterus through the cervix.
- After scar tissue is removed, the uterine cavity must be kept open while it heals to prevent adhesions from returning. Your health care provider may place a small balloon inside the uterus for several days and prescribe estrogen therapy while the uterine lining heals.
- Antibiotic treatment may be necessary if there is an infection.
Where to find medical care for Asherman’s syndrome?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Asherman’s syndrome
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- Asherman syndrome can be cured in most women with surgery, although sometimes more than one procedure will be necessary.
- Women who are infertile because of Asherman syndrome may have a successful pregnancy after treatment.
- Successful pregnancy depends on the severity of Asherman syndrome and the difficulty of the treatment, as well as other factors that affect fertility and pregnancy.
Possible complications
- Complications of hysteroscopic surgery are uncommon and include bleeding, perforation of the uterus, and pelvic infection.
- In some cases, treatment of Asherman syndrome will not cure infertility.
Prevention
Most cases of Asherman syndrome cannot be predicted or prevented.
Support groups
Asherman syndrome support group