When the Uterus Shuts Down: The Silent Struggle of Uterine Adhesions

When Anna stopped getting her period after a routine uterine procedure, she thought it was just stress. Months passed, and nothing changed. She wasn’t pregnant, she wasn’t going through early menopause, and yet her body was speaking in silence. What she didn’t know was that her uterus had all but shut down—literally glued shut from within.

This is the often-overlooked reality of uterine adhesions, a condition that affects thousands of women yet remains dangerously underdiagnosed.

What Exactly Are Uterine Adhesions?

Inside every uterus is a delicate, layered lining called the endometrium. It thickens, sheds, and renews with each menstrual cycle—unless something disrupts this balance.

Uterine adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form within the uterine cavity, sticking the walls of the uterus together. It’s like spider webs in a house that was never meant to have them. In medical terms, the symptomatic form of this condition is known as Asherman's Syndrome.

The result? A uterus that can no longer function the way it was designed to.

How Do These Adhesions Form?

Scar tissue doesn’t form on its own—it’s the body’s response to injury. In this case, the “injury” often comes in the form of:

Dilation and curettage (D&C) after miscarriage or childbirth

Multiple abortions or surgical interventions involving the uterus

Uterine surgeries to remove fibroids or repair congenital defects

Severe pelvic infections, including rare cases like genital tuberculosis

Postpartum hemorrhage treatments, like uterine compression sutures

The risk is highest in the weeks following pregnancy loss or delivery, when the uterine lining is at its most vulnerable.

Why Is It So Often Missed?

Uterine adhesions don’t always scream. Sometimes, they whisper—or say nothing at all.

Common signs include:

Absent or very light periods

Infertility that defies explanation

Recurrent miscarriages

Pelvic pain during what should be a normal cycle

Yet up to 3% of women with severe adhesions report no symptoms at all, only discovering the condition when trying to conceive.

This silence is why so many women, like Anna, go undiagnosed for years.

The Emotional Toll

Beyond the physical impact, the emotional strain of uterine adhesions can be profound. Imagine the confusion of having a healthy ovulation cycle, but no period. Or the heartbreak of conceiving, only to miscarry again and again.

Many women internalize the struggle, believing it’s their fault. It isn’t. And it’s time we talk about it.

Diagnosis: Looking Inside the Womb

The most effective diagnostic tool is hysteroscopy—a minimally invasive procedure where a small camera is inserted into the uterus. It not only reveals the adhesions, but can often treat them on the spot.

Other diagnostic methods include:

Ultrasound (limited use unless paired with other techniques)

Saline infusion sonography (SIS)

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)—an X-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes

But nothing beats seeing the problem directly. When in doubt, hysteroscopy is the clearest answer.

Can It Be Treated?

Yes—and often successfully.

Surgical removal of the adhesions through hysteroscopy can restore the uterine cavity. Afterward, doctors may insert a small balloon or IUD to keep the walls from sticking together again, combined with hormonal therapy to promote healing.

Some alternative approaches, including traditional Chinese medicine,such as Fuyan Pill, are being explored as supportive treatments.

Hope for Healing

The good news? With early diagnosis and proper treatment, many women go on to regain normal periods and even conceive naturally.

But it all begins with awareness.

If you've had a miscarriage, uterine surgery, or a complicated delivery—and your menstrual cycle suddenly changes—listen to your body. Ask questions. Push for answers.

Don’t let a hidden scar define your fertility, your health, or your peace of mind.

Have you experienced unexplained menstrual changes or fertility struggles after a uterine procedure? You’re not alone. Share your story—or start your journey toward healing—by talking to your OB-GYN today.