Asherman syndrome refers to a condition in which adhesions (synechiae) are present in the uterus resulting in various complaints, such as amenorrhea and infertility. The condition usually appears after an intrauterine trauma.
Presentation
The prevalence of Asherman syndrome in the general population is not easy to ascertain but it can go so far as 21% in the group of women that had curettage after delivery [1]. Whereas any intrauterine damage can cause adhesions and consequent uterine problems, the majority of adhesions are associated with problems of pregnancy [2], specifically with procedures of curettage performed after deliveries and abortions [1]. The tendency for adhesions to form after repeated miscarriages or use of instrumentation in general on the postpartum uterus is also high [3] [4].
The adhesions in severe cases almost fill up the uterine cavity. The most frequent clinical manifestations are menstrual problems (hypomenorrhea and amenorrhea) and infertility or subfertility [5] [6]. Some reports note a correlation between the extent of uterine damage and the severity of menstrual complaints [1] [7]. A deficient function of the endometrium, which may be due to inadequate perfusion, hinders successful implantation and leads to infertility or repeated miscarriages [8]. Subfertility may also be caused by the adhesions blocking the free advance of the sperm [1]. Cyclical pain may result from blocked menstrual outflow, which may lead to retrograde menstruation.
Gastrointestinal
- Abdominal Pain
Patients may present with infertility, pregnancy loss, menstrual abnormalities (e.g. amenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, dysmenorrhea) or abdominal pain 1. [radiopaedia.org]
The result of the reduction of space within the uterus caused by the adhesions is most frequently amenorrhea (no menstruation), or reduced menstrual flow accompanied by increased cramping and abdominal pain, recurrent miscarriage and infertility. [fertilityfactor.com]
This may be due to its unique age of presentation, its inherent somatic and cognitive developmental issues, or the physiology of abdominal pain itself. [pedsinreview.aappublications.org]
Urogenital
- Amenorrhea
Results: There were 17 subjects in all with a mean age of 28.6 years, mean parity of 4.5 and mean amenorrhea duration of 5.5 months. Sixteen were primarily referred for evaluation of amenorrhea. [pjms.com.pk]
PATIENT(S): Twelve women with severe Asherman syndrome and amenorrhea. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Asherman syndrome refers to a condition in which adhesions (synechiae) are present in the uterus resulting in various complaints, such as amenorrhea and infertility. The condition usually appears after an intrauterine trauma. [symptoma.com]
- Secondary Amenorrhea
A 27-year-old Zulu woman, para 1, presented with secondary amenorrhea after an uncomplicated cesarean delivery. Hormone levels were in the normal ranges. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
amenorrhea in study group. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Symptoms - Asherman's syndrome Causes - Asherman's syndrome Prevention - Asherman's syndrome Diagnosis - Asherman's syndrome The history of a pregnancy event followed by a D&C leading to secondary amenorrhea is typical. [checkorphan.org]
Explore these free sample topics: -- The first section of this topic is shown below -- Basics Description Asherman syndrome (AS) is the term used to describe infertility or secondary amenorrhea associated with intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) or development [unboundmedicine.com]
Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman has stopped menstruating for at least three months. This is the more common form of amenorrhea. In most cases, both types can be treated effectively. [healthline.com]
- Oligomenorrhea
Often, patients experience side menstrual irregularities characterized by a decrease in the rate and duration of bleeding (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea or hipomenorrea) and become sterile. [laparoscopyhospital.com]
Often, patients experience secondary menstrual irregularities characterized by changes in flow and duration of bleeding (amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, or oligomenorrhea ) [ 1 ] and become infertile. [enacademic.com]
Patients and Methods This was a hospital based descriptive study of one and half year, where patients coming to outpatient department for complaints of secondary ammenorrhoea, oligomenorrhea, or infertility were selected following all routine investigations [jpma.org.pk]
- Primary Amenorrhea
You should see your doctor if you’re experiencing amenorrhea. The underlying cause of your missed periods may require treatment. The two types of amenorrhea are referred to as primary and secondary. [healthline.com]
Workup
A history revealing problems with infertility and menstruation will raise suspicion of Asherman syndrome. Various imaging methods are used for diagnosing the disease.
Transvaginal ultrasound, while inexpensive and available in most settings, has low sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing Asherman syndrome [9]. However, sonohysterography performed on a uterus filled with saline solution has better sensitivity and predictive capability. Three-dimensional ultrasonography is able to confirm decreased volume of the uterine cavity [10].
Hysterosalpingography, a radiologic procedure which is considered a "historical" method [1] [11], could be helpful in the diagnosis, and the radio-opaque medium used allows the patency of the tubes to be examined [12]. The presence of adhesions is indicated by sharp contours in the image, and if the inside of the uterus is completely occluded, the contrast material is unable to penetrate the uterus.
Hysteroscopy, which can be carried out in an office visit setting, is the gold standard for the diagnosis. It is the most precise method for visualization of the inside of the uterus and can show the location and shape of adhesions [11]. Office hysteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of relatively mild adhesions has been shown to increase the pregnancy rate in previously unresponsive women [13].
Classification and grading of cases of Asherman syndrome are problematic because there are several systems in use with different scoring criteria. When the gynecological history of the patient is taken into account in addition to the results of imaging tests, the predictive value of the classification is improved [14] [15]. Nevertheless, there is no universal agreement on which system to use [1].
Treatment
Close antenatal surveillance and monitoring are necessary for women who conceive after treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Outcome of treatment Hysteroscopic treatment of Asherman's syndrome can dramatically improve both menstrual problem and reproductive outcome. [ivf-infertility.com]
Then we can decide on the ideal treatment. Traditionally, treatment has been performed through hysteroscopy by selecting the adhesions and trying to avoid them from reappearing with the insertion of intrauterine devices. [institutobernabeu.com]
In 31 patients with permanent severe adhesions, hysteroscopic treatment was performed. [academic.oup.com]
Prognosis
The diagnostic hysteroscopy will allow us to clearly see the adhesions, the degree to which the cavity is affected, the quality of the endometrium, the tubal ostia and the possibilities of real treatment and a prognosis adapted to the severity of the [institutobernabeu.com]
CONCLUSION(S): The management of moderate to severe disease still poses a challenge, and the prognosis of severe disease remains poor. Close antenatal surveillance and monitoring are necessary for women who conceive after treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Etiology
Prevalence Prevalence has been cited as 0.3% incidental finding in women undergoing intrauterine device placement without gynecologic symptoms ( 1 ) 21.5% in women who have undergone postpartum curettage ( 1 ) Etiology and Pathophysiology The etiology [unboundmedicine.com]
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The etiology, pathology, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and reproductive outcomes were analyzed. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Spontaneous abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss: etiology, diagnosis, treatment. In: Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 16. Simpson JL, Jauniaux ERM. [mountsinai.org]
Epidemiology
New York, New York, USA c Departments of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambrige, Massachusetts, USA d Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School [tandfonline.com]
Epidemiology Incidence As intrauterine adhesive disease is rare and generally asymptomatic, true incidence and prevalence is difficult to measure. [unboundmedicine.com]
Epidemiology The prevalence of PU is difficult to estimate, due to the subjective nature of its symptoms and also because it is frequently mistaken for other dyspeptic disorders. [jped.com.br]
Since it is a noninvasive test, it can also be used in epidemiological studies. [scielo.br]
For women under 35 years of age treated for severe adhesions, pregnancy rates were 66.6% compared to 23.5% in women older than 35. [28] Epidemiology [ edit ] AS has a reported incidence of 25% of D&Cs performed 1–4 weeks post-partum, [27] [9] [32] up [en.wikipedia.org]
Pathophysiology
Prevalence Prevalence has been cited as 0.3% incidental finding in women undergoing intrauterine device placement without gynecologic symptoms ( 1 ) 21.5% in women who have undergone postpartum curettage ( 1 ) Etiology and Pathophysiology The etiology [unboundmedicine.com]
J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006;82(5):325-34: Peptic ulcer, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, Helicobacter pylori, children, adolescents. [jped.com.br]
Keywords: Peptic ulcer, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, Helicobacter pylori, children, adolescents. Introduction Hippocrates, in 460 B.C., reported a case whose diagnosis was later confirmed as peptic ulcer (PU). [scielo.br]
Epidemiology and aetiology Data regarding pathophysiology of AS and IUA are still limited in literature. [rbej.biomedcentral.com]
Prevention
Research Articles - Gynecologic surgery and adhesion prevention. [adhesions.org]
Natural Prevention and Healing of Asherman’s Syndrome Systemic Enzyme Therapy for Scar Tissue Prevention Systemic Enzyme Therapy using systemic enzymes helps the body to break-down and prevent scar tissue formation. [natural-fertility-info.com]
Prevention Ideally, prevention is the best solution. [drmalpani.com]
References
- Deans R, Abbott J. Review of intrauterine adhesions. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2010;17(5):555-569.
- Schenker JG. Etiology of and therapeutic approach to synechia uteri. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.1996;65:109-113.
- Kodaman PH, Arici A. Intra-uterine adhesions and fertility outcome: how to optimize success? Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2007;19:207–214.
- Westendorp ICD, Ankum WM, Mol B, Vonk J. Prevalence of Asher- man’s syndrome after secondary removal of placental remnants or a repeat curettage for incomplete abortion. Hum Reprod. 1998;13:3347–3350.
- Schenker JG, Margalioth EJ. Intrauterine adhesions: an updated ap praisal. Fertil Steril. 1982;37:593–610.
- Klein SM, Garcia C-R. Asherman’s syndrome: a critique and current review. Fertil Steril 1973;24:722–735.
- Toaff R, Ballas S. Traumatic hypomenorrhea-amenorrhea (Asherman's syndrome). Fertil Steril. 1978;30(4):379-387.
- Polishuk WZ, Siew FP, Gordon R, Lebenshart P. Vascular changes in traumatic amenorrhea and hypomenorrhea. Int J Fertil. 1977;22:189–192.
- Salle B, Gaucherand P, de Saint Hilaire P, Rudigoz RC. Transvaginal sonohysterographic evaluation of intrauterine adhesions. J Clin Ultrasound.1999;27(3):131-134.
- Weinraub Z, Maymon R, Shulman A, et al. Three-dimensional saline contrast hysterosonography and surface rendering of uterine cavity pathology. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1996;8(4):277-282
- Magos A. Hysteroscopic treatment of Asherman's syndrome. Reprod Biomed Online.2002;4 Suppl 3:46-51.
- Yu D, Wong YM, Cheong Y, Xia E, Li TC. Asherman syndrome--one century later. Fertil Steril. 2008;89(4):759-779.
- Demirol A, Gurgan T. Effect of treatment of intrauterine pathologies with office hysteroscopy in patients with recurrent IVF failure. RBM Online 2004;8:590–594.
- Nasr AL, Al-Inany HG, Thabet SM, Aboulghar M. A clinicohysteroscopic scoring system of intrauterine adhesions. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2000;50:178 –181.
- Fedele L, Bianchi S, Frontino G. Septums and synechiae: approaches to surgical correction. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2006;49(4):767-788.