Asherman's Syndrome

What it is, how it impacts fertility, and what recovery can look like.

What is Asherman’s Syndrome?

Asherman’s Syndrome is a condition where scar tissue (also called adhesions) forms inside the uterus—specifically within the uterine cavity or cervical canal. These adhesions can cause the walls of the uterus to stick together, making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant and grow.

Most often, Asherman’s develops after a surgical procedure like a dilation and curettage (D&C), especially if performed after pregnancy loss, delivery, or abortion. But it can also be triggered by infections, uterine surgery (like fibroid removal), or intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Because it can interfere with menstruation and implantation, Asherman’s is a known (but underdiagnosed) cause of infertility and recurrent miscarriage.

Symptoms of Asherman’s Syndrome

Symptoms can vary based on how much scar tissue is present and where it’s located in the uterus. Some women have no symptoms at all—until they struggle to conceive.

🔁 Light, Irregular, or Absent Periods: Menstrual flow may become lighter or stop entirely if blood can’t escape due to adhesions.
🤰 Infertility or Trouble Conceiving: Embryos may have difficulty implanting, or implantation may not hold due to poor uterine lining.
🩸 Painful Periods (Cramping Without Bleeding): If menstrual blood is blocked, it can cause pain without any visible flow.
🧬 Recurrent Miscarriage: Adhesions can prevent proper embryo development or blood supply to the uterus.
🔍 Post-Surgical Changes: Symptoms often begin after uterine surgery or trauma, especially after a D&C.

If your cycles changed dramatically after a procedure—or you’re struggling to conceive after one—it’s worth investigating.

Who Does Asherman’s Affect?

Asherman’s Syndrome can affect any woman who has had a procedure involving the uterus, but it’s especially common after:

🛠️ D&Cs for miscarriage, incomplete pregnancy loss, or retained placenta
🧼 Postpartum Infections or endometritis
🏥 Cesarean Sections or Myomectomies
🌀 Recurrent IUD insertions or removals

Studies suggest Asherman’s occurs in up to 20% of women who undergo D&C after miscarriage. And many of them are never told it's a risk—or never properly screened afterward.

How is Asherman’s Syndrome Diagnosed?

Because symptoms overlap with other conditions (like hypothalamic amenorrhea or POI), Asherman’s is often missed. A proper diagnosis requires imaging—or even direct visualization.

Here’s how it’s typically diagnosed:

📉 Clinical Symptoms: Especially changes in menstrual flow after uterine trauma or surgery
🔦 Sonohysterogram (Saline Infusion Ultrasound): Uses saline to highlight abnormalities in the uterine cavity
🧭 Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A dye and X-ray are used to check for blockages or scarring
🔍 Hysteroscopy (Gold Standard): A small camera inserted into the uterus allows direct viewing of adhesions

Hysteroscopy is considered the most accurate way to confirm the diagnosis—and it can also be used for treatment at the same time.

How Does Asherman’s Affect Your Fertility?

Asherman’s Syndrome directly impacts the uterine environment, which is critical for conception and pregnancy. Here’s how it may interfere:

🪷 Implantation Issues: Adhesions reduce available surface area and disrupt the endometrial lining where an embryo would implant.
🚫 Blocked Uterine Cavity or Cervix: If adhesions seal off parts of the uterus or cervix, sperm or menstrual blood can’t pass through.
🌱 Thin or Damaged Endometrium: Repeated procedures can thin the lining, making it less hospitable to implantation.
⚠️ Increased Risk of Miscarriage or Placental Complications: Adhesions can interfere with healthy placental development.

The good news? When caught and treated properly, many women with Asherman’s go on to have healthy pregnancies.

We Can Help!

Healing from Asherman’s isn’t just about removing scar tissue. It’s about restoring the uterus and the whole body—nutritionally, hormonally, and functionally.

At The Greenhouse, we take a functional, integrative approach to reproductive health—especially when the uterus has been through trauma.

We help you get the testing, diagnosis, and care you deserve—so you can move forward with hope and a plan.

👉 Apply for 1:1 fertility support.

Learn More

📰 Your pelvic floor is the epicenter of creation

📰 What does your mouth have to do with your pelvis?

📰 A scam that needs to go away rn: Kegels

📰 The most underrated skill to prepare for pregnancy…

📰 Miscarriage: It's not your fault.

References

1. March, C. M. (2011). Management of Asherman's syndrome. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 23(1), 63–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.12.023
2. Yu, D., Wong, Y. M., Cheong, Y., Xia, E., & Li, T. C. (2008). Asherman syndrome—one century later. Fertility and Sterility, 89(4), 759–779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.046
3. Schenker, J. G., & Margalioth, E. J. (1982). Intrauterine adhesions: An updated appraisal. Fertility and Sterility, 37(5), 593–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)46464-1  

**Not medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your health or fertility plan.