Can adenomyosis cause shoulder pain?

Adenomyosis usually causes symptoms centered in the uterus—heavy or prolonged bleeding, intense cramping, pelvic pressure, and deep pelvic pain—rather than pain felt in the shoulder. So if shoulder pain is your main symptom, adenomyosis alone is less likely to be the full explanation.

That said, adenomyosis commonly overlaps with endometriosis, and cyclical shoulder or chest pain can be a clue for endometriosis higher in the pelvis or abdomen, including near the diaphragm. If your shoulder pain flares in a predictable pattern (often around your period) or comes with chest discomfort or shortness of breath, our team can help evaluate the full picture and discuss what imaging and surgical evaluation may (and may not) be able to show. If you’d like, you can reach out to schedule a consultation so we can review your symptoms and history together.