Endometriosisis a relatively common condition that affects up to 10% of all people in the United States.
It causes abdominal pain, especially during the menstrual cycle or sex.
As endometriosis progresses, it can affectfertility.
Rawpixel/ Getty Images
This article will discuss endometriosis, how it affectsfertility, and what to do about it.
Rawpixel/ Getty Images
Endometriosis affects up to half of the people experiencing infertility.
It is more common in a persons 30s and 40s.
How Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?
Endometriosis causes tissue to build up outside the uterus, causing inflammation, scarring, and cysts.
They can become blocked when adhesions form in or around the fallopian tubes.
This prevents the egg from traveling through the tube duringovulation, lowering the chances of becoming pregnant each month.
when you obtain been trying for six months, talk with a healthcare provider.
To understand the cause of your infertility, your provider may recommend several tests.
They may recommend a laparoscopy to determine how advanced your case of endometriosis is.
This could determine if you have scarring or blockages around the fallopian tubes.
Your health insurance may cover infertility testing.
Consider calling your insurance company or hospital billing department to understand how much of the evaluation it covers.
It can help to determine when to use fertility treatments as well.
The EFI is based on historical and surgical factors.
Historical factors include your age, how long you have experienced infertility, and any past pregnancies.
Surgical factors include the extent and location of endometriosis tissue found during surgery.
The higher the score on the EFI, the greater the chances of conceiving.
The treatment plan depends on the extent and location of the endometriosis tissue and your overall health.
This may be helpful for people who have scar tissue from endometriosis.
The fertilized egg is then implanted directly into the uterus.
Endometriosis Surgery
Endometriosis surgerymay be helpful for those trying to become pregnant with mild to moderate endometriosis.
Surgery destroys or removes endometriosis tissue.
This can help to open up the fallopian tubes if scar tissue is blocking them.
Surgery may be an effective fertility treatment on its own or may be combined with IUI or IVF.
Pain Relief While Trying to Conceive
A common endometriosis symptom ispain with sex.
This is especially burdensome when trying to become pregnant.
Talk with a healthcare provider about options for pain relief.
Pregnancy Complications With Endometriosis
Most people with endometriosis who become pregnant have healthy pregnancies and babies.
If you are 35 or older, talk with a provider when you are ready to start trying.
Up to 3050% of people experiencing infertility have endometriosis.
Fortunately, endometriosis and infertility are treatable.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Endometriosis: Does it cause infertility?
Office on Womens Health.Endometriosis.
Penn Medicine.Endometriosis and fertility: reasons for women to have hope.
Haydardedeoglu B, Zeyneloglu HB.The impact of endometriosis on fertility.Womens Health (Lond).
2017;130(16):1932-1937. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.211892
World Health Organization.Endometriosis.
Tanbo T, Fedorcsak P.Endometriosis-associated infertility: aspects of pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options.Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.
Farland LV, Prescott J, Sasamoto N, et al.Endometriosis and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Obstet Gynecol.
2019;134(3):52736. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003410
Office on Womens Health.Pregnancy complications.
Young K, Fisher J, Kirkman M.Endometriosis and fertility: women’s accounts of healthcare.Hum Reprod.
2016;31(3):554-562. doi:10.1093/humrep/dev337
