Q I was told I have an ovarian cyst, but I also heard the terms endometriosis and adenomyosis. How are they different from one another?
A When tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, it is called endometriosis; when that tissue forms a fluid-filled cyst on an ovary, it is an endometrioma (chocolate cyst). When the same tissue burrows into the muscular layer of the uterus, it is called adenomyosis.
Detailed Answer
Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the endometrium, which normally lines the inside of the uterus, grows in the wrong places. When this tissue settles on an ovary and forms a cyst filled with old blood, it is called an endometrioma, commonly known as a chocolate cyst. When the same endometrial tissue burrows into the muscular layer of the uterus itself, causing the uterus to enlarge and harden overall, this is adenomyosis. Meanwhile, many ovarian cysts are benign and resolve on their own, such as functional cysts that form temporarily during ovulation and then disappear, so distinguishing the type is important.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, the pain and masses of endometriosis, adenomyosis, and endometrioma are all understood as patterns of eohyeol (blood stasis), in which blood leaves its proper place and becomes congealed. At Dongjedang, after accurately confirming the type and location through Western diagnostic tests, we approach care by warming and circulating the cold, stagnant pelvic environment that prevents the congealed blood stasis from dissolving, thereby managing pain and discomfort.
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