Intrauterine Adhesions
Intrauterine adhesions have been implicated as causing infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Formation of intrauterine adhesions occurs after trauma to the tissues and is caused by an inflammatory response due to tissue damage. As the body's tissues heal and intrauterine adhesions are formed, the tissues begin to shrink. This generally results in pain and/or restricted function of the uterus. This tightening, in turn, creates more mechanical irritation, perpetuating the cycle of intrauterine adhesion formation.
Endometriosis (left), cervical and intrauterine adhesions (right) Intrauterine adhesions tend to persist long after the original trauma has healed. Intrauterine adhesions usually form following infection, inflammation, surgery, or trauma.
Many people experience decreased function or increased tissue tension following tissue injury or trauma at or near the uterus. Like scars that form on the skin, intrauterine adhesions from any of these events create “internal scars.” These may become painful or cause inflammation within the uterus, decreasing or eliminating the opportunity for successful implantation. (Note: IUDs prevent pregnancy by intentionally creating intrauterine inflammation, exactly the condition that intrauterine adhesions create within the uterus.) Thus, we believe that intrauterine adhesions are a primary cause of miscarriage and infertility.
Surgeries are a major cause of intrauterine adhesions and scarring. Some surgeries that may cause intrauterine adhesions or scars to form include:
- episiotomy or C-section
- laparoscopy or laparotomy
- hysterectomy
- abortion, D&C
Inflammation or infections often cause intrauterine adhesions. Some non-surgical causes of intrauterine adhesions include:
- intrauterine or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- endometriosis
- bladder, vaginal, or yeast infections
- cystitis or vaginitis
- hepatitis
- chlamydia or other sexually transmitted diseases
Adhesion-causing traumas include falls, accidents, or physical or sexual abuse. Inflammation following trauma may cause intrauterine adhesions to spread unless they are removed or diminished by a surgeon, or a physical therapist trained to treat them. Symptoms sometimes appear far from the site of the original trauma.
We have helped many people who suffer from intrauterine adhesions and pain. Our directors spent years studying techniques and developing protocols to restore patients' bodies to a state of balance, harmony, and increased function. Our treatment sessions are individualized and last approximately one hour based on individual needs. Treatment is one-on-one, and is in private treatment rooms. From your first visit, we use a "hands-on" approach to treat your symptoms. For more detailed information on treatment, visit our “ what treatment is like ” webpage.
