Endometriosis and Fertility
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including painful periods, heavy bleeding, and infertility. When endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, it can form lesions that adhere to other organs and cause inflammation and scarring. This can lead to fertility problems because the adhesions can block the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting, or they can damage the ovaries or uterus, making it difficult for the embryo to implant.
The severity of endometriosis doesn't always correlate with the severity of the symptoms or the impact it has on fertility. Some women with mild endometriosis may have difficulty conceiving, while others with severe endometriosis may have no fertility problems at all. However, the longer a woman has endometriosis, the more likely it is to affect her fertility. It's estimated that up to 50% of women with endometriosis experience infertility, compared to 10% of the general population.
If you have endometriosis and are trying to conceive, it's important to seek the help of a fertility specialist. There are several fertility treatments that can help you become pregnant, including medications that stimulate ovulation, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF). In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove endometrial tissue or repair any damage to the reproductive organs.
It's also important to manage your endometriosis symptoms to improve your chances of conceiving. While endometriosis can be a challenging condition to manage, with the right treatment and support, many women with endometriosis are able to have successful pregnancies and healthy babies. If you are looking to partner with a practitioner in your fertility journey, the team at Nurture would be honored to work with you.
About The Author
Dana Ramsey is a Certified Nurse Midwife and has spent the past 15 years helping women navigate their gynecology, pregnancy, postpartum and menopausal challenges. Dana is dedicated to helping her patients overcome conditions impacting their ability to conceive and maintain a successful pregnancy.
