Fibroids or Adenomyosis? Why Your Scan Might Not Tell the Full Story

What Are Fibroids and Adenomyosis? And Why They’re Often Confused?

To understand why so many women go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed  it helps to get clear on what these two conditions actually are. Fibroids and Adenomyosis are often confused because their symptoms can be similar.

Fibroids: Growth on the Outside of the Lining (Accumulation of Phlegm and Blood Stasis)

Fibroids are benign growths that develop within or around the muscular wall of the uterus. They typically will form in well-defined masses, which can help them show up more easily on imaging findings. A woman can have one or several at the same time.

In TCM, fibroids are understood as a stronger accumulation of Phlegm and Blood Stasis,  he body’s failure to move and clear what has accumulated over time, eventually solidifying into defined masses. Symptoms tend to include pressure, bloating, and heavy bleeding with clots.

Adenomyosis: The Condition Hidden Inside the Muscle (Blood Stasis with Qi Stagnation)

Adenomyosis is endometrial tissue within the uterine muscle. Adenomyosis tends to grow without forming a clearly defined mass. This diffuse nature makes adenomyosis more difficult to detect within the body.

In TCM, adenomyosis reflects Blood Stasis lodged deeper within the uterine tissue, frequently combined with Qi Stagnation and underlying Deficiency. This is why the pain tends to feel more relentless and the fatigue more pronounced than the symptom picture alone might suggest.

Why They’re So Often Confused? 

The two conditions look different on paper but in real life, the overlap is significant, both can cause heavy periods, pelvic pain, and an enlarged uterus. It is not uncommon for both fibroids and adenomyosis to exist together, which makes it more difficult to diagnose.

Both are driven by estrogen which drives tissue growth, inflammation, and symptom severity, this is why they often appear together and worsen during reproductive years but improve after menopause. Both are most common in women in their 30s and 40s. And critically, both can exist at the same time in the same woman. This is where the question can scans miss Adenomyosis or fibroids becomes important. 

Related Reads: How to Flush Out Excess Estrogen From The Body

Can Scans Miss Adenomyosis and Fibroids? (And Why It Matters)

Scans such as ultrasound can be a valuable tool, but it doesn’t always tell the entire story. Yes, scans can miss Fibroids and Adenomyosis. 

• There are Limitations of Ultrasound:  This is especially true for adenomyosis, Adenomyosis spreads within the uterine muscle, which makes it more challenging to detect on an ultrasound.

• MRI can offer more accurate result but its not routine:  Fibroids are more clearly defined masses, MRIs can offer more accurate results, but it’s not always routinely used. In many cases, MRIs are reserved for more complex cases. Unfortunately, many women do not reach this stage of gynecological analysis.

• Symptoms Don’t Always Match Scan Findings: Symptoms do not always match what MRI scans find. For example, severe pain can be present even when there is little showing up on scan. This is because pain is influenced by factors such as inflammation and nerve sensitivity. Also, hormonal and immune system activity is not visible on scans.

This gap highlights the need for other approaches to assessment and care. This is where Chinese Medicine can play a massive role in helping women who are experiencing Fibroids and Adenomyosis.  

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Adenomyosis vs Fibroids

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers fibroids and adenomyosis to be signs of deeper signs of imbalances in circulation, fluid metabolism, and hormonal regulation. TCM tries to focus on symptoms, patterns, and the overall body’s function instead of relying on scans alone.

Traditional Chinese Medicine tries to put importance on starting treatment without the need for a firm diagnosis. This explains why symptoms can appear a while before they show up on the scan.

Fibroids tend to reflect a stronger accumulation of Phlegm and Blood Stasis , producing more defined masses, a sense of pressure or bloating, and heavy bleeding with clots.

Adenomyosis, by contrast, involves Blood Stasis lodged deeper within the uterine tissue itself, and is more often combined with Qi Stagnation and underlying Deficiency, which is why the pain tends to feel more relentless and the fatigue more pronounced.

The uterus, in Chinese medicine, is never looked at in isolation. It is directly connected to the Liver (energy flow and emotional regulation), the Spleen (digestion and fluid metabolism), and the Kidney (the foundation of reproductive health). When any of these systems are under strain, the uterus is often where it shows which is why both fibroids and adenomyosis are understood as whole-body imbalances, not just localised structural problems.

This also explains why Chinese medicine can work from your symptom pattern regardless of what imaging does or doesn’t show, because the signs of imbalance are already present, long before a scan might confirm them.

Chinese Medicine Natural Treatment for Fibroids and Adenomyosis

Traditional Chinese Medicine tries to target the root cause of issues. In this case, the root causes are poor circulation, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances. TCM combines acupuncture, herbal medicine, and diet changes to support healing in the uterus. TCM offers a natural approach that focuses on overall function, reducing pain, and regulating cycles.

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture improves pelvic blood flow, reduces menstrual pain, regulates the menstrual cycle, and modulates inflammation and stress. Acupuncture has also been shown to influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which plays a large role in regulating hormones.

Research compared acupuncture with ibuprofen in patients with adenomyosis and found that acupuncture reduced menstrual pain and symptoms of adenomyosis more effectively than ibuprofen.

Another study proved that acupuncture can improve uterine receptivity and blood circulation. This research aligns with the TCM principle of having a smooth flow of Qi and Blood while reducing Blood Stasis.

2. Supplements and Herbal Medicine 

Traditional Chinese Medicine is usually tailored to the individual and their symptoms. Chinese herbal formulas are designed to invigorate Blood circulation, reduce stasis, and alleviate uterine congestion. In the case of fibroids, herbal medicine might be focused on softening masses. Herbal medicine is also aimed at reducing inflammation, uterine congestion, and regulating menstrual bleeding.

3. Diet Recommendations For Adenomyosis or Fibroids

Dietary choices can support circulation, reduce inflammation, and improve uterine function as a whole. Foods that help promote blood flow and reduce stasis are dark leafy greens (spinach and kale), beets, carrots, berries, and foods rich in iron.

Warm and cooked foods is recommended rather than cold foods. It’s also important to reduce Dampness and Phlegm because these can contribute to uterine congestion and mass formation. In order to do this, TCM suggests incorporating light, warming foods (ginger, garlic, onion, whole grains) and limiting dairy and processed sugars.

It’s also important to avoid extremely cold foods or drinks. Cold can constrict circulation in some cases and make pain worse. 

Adding anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3-rich sources, turmeric, and other warm spices is also beneficial. These anti-inflammatory foods may help support symptom management and hormonal balance.

GinSen offers Chinese Medicine treatment in Chelsea and Kensington. We also deliver herbal treatments around the UK and worldwide, supporting women with fibroids and adenomyosis.

While scan can play an important role in medical diagnosis, it doesn’t always give us the information we need. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers us a broader perspective by focusing on symptoms and underlying patterns. It works through the root causes such as circulation, inflammation, and hormonal balance.

Patients at GinSen have more success in supporting uterine health and managing conditions such as fibroids and adenomyosis as well as conceiving successfully. After a consultation with a practitioner, you’ll receive a personalised plan to help improve your fertility. Book your first consultation today.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.