Ashermans Syndrome - Treatment & Symptoms

Asherman's Syndrome is an acquired uterine's related disease which characterized by the formation of adhesions (scar tissue) in the women's uterus. Asherman's syndrome is the presence of intrauterine adhesions that typically occur as a result of scar formation after uterine surgery, especially after a dilatation and curettage ( D&C ). The adhesions may cause amenorrhea and/or infertility. Ashermans-syndrome stands for Dilatation and Curettage. This is a surgical procedure that involves dilating the cervical canal, by enlarging the opening of the uterus. Once the cervix is dilated, the surgeon uses a spoon shaped instrument – called a curette – to scrape the walls of the uterus.

Symptoms of Ashermans Syndrome

Ashermans-syndrome's patients have scanty or absent periods (amenorrhea) but some have normal periods. Some patients have no periods but feel pain at the time each month that their period would normally arrive. This pain may indicate that menstruation is occuring but the blood cannot exit the uterus because the cervix is blocked by adhesions. Recurrent miscarriage and infertility could also be considered as symptoms. Symptoms may be related to several conditions and are more likely to indicate Asherman's syndrome if they occur suddenly after a D&C or other uterine surgery.

• No menstrual flow (amenorrhea) or decreased menstrual flow
• Infertility
• Recurrent miscarriages

Causes of Ashermans Syndrome

Ashermans-syndrome may be more likely to happen after a pregnancy-related D&C or if an infection is present in the uterus during the time of the procedure. Asherman's syndrome can also occur after other types of uterine surgery. A severe pelvic infection unrelated to surgery may also lead to Asherman's syndrome.some causes are include:

• Surgical scraping.
• Cleaning of the utrine wall
• sporadic inflamation of mucous membrance lining the uterus.
• Endometritis caused by tuberculosis or certain other infectious disease.

Treatment of Ashermans Syndrome

Asherman's syndrome should be treated if it is causing infertility or amenorrhea. Surgical treatment includes cutting and removing adhesions or scar tissue within the uterine cavity, there are many treatment of ashermans-syndrome are :

• Health care provider may place a small balloon inside the uterus for several days, and he or she may prescribe estrogen replacement therapy while the uterine lining heals.
• Antibiotic treatment may be necessary if infection is identified.
• In real life Ashermans is an extremely rare complication of abortion and is virtually unknown in the UK.
• Despite a possible prophylaxis (if a post-partum D & C is really necessary estrogen supplementation would help), keys to treatment include early recognition and treatment by a very experienced surgeon via hysteroscopy.