advice re abdominal disorder

My daughter has had cervical problems since her first child 6 years ago and only now, due to a further 2 children, are the Drs giving her any reasons for it.  She has had a colposcopy, removal of pre-cancerous cells, scans and a camera.  The name given on her last scan she is unsure of but sounds like admoninisis???? She is 24 and also has coeliacs/bowel disease.  She is anaemic and also suffers irregular bleeding, severe abdominal pain and is obviously worried as she has 3 young children.  Fybroids have been ruled out but it is to do with the lining of the womb, endometriosis has also been ruled out.  She is due to go to her GP for results but would like to know a bit more, if possible.  

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
It sounds like your daughter has two different problems going on.  The first, is infection with the HPV virus, which is EXTREMELY common  ( one in three to six people )  and that is what is causing the abnormal cells on her cervix.  As long as the doctors are following her closely with colposcopy  ( I'm pretty sure that is what you are describing) she will not get cervical cancer.  She MUST follow up though, and not neglect herself.

The other problem, I suspect is Adenomyosis.  This is a form of endometriosis that develops within the muscle wall of the uterus.  Some believe this is caused by scars from the placentas of our children.  It can cause bleeding, pain, and an enlarged irregular uterus.  It is NOT cancerous.  The only definitive treatment is hysterectomy, but symptoms can be controlled with anti-inflammatory pain relievers and oral contraceptive pills.  Other things like depo provera can sometimes provide relief too.

Depending upon her symptoms, she may want to consider a vaginal hysterectomy-- that would alleviate both issues.  Obviously she should complete her family before she does any major surgery--and neither of these should prevent her from having more children if she desires. If she is done having kids--a hysterectomy is GREAT birth control too! ;)

Good luck!
Hope this helps!
Dr B