Endometriosis And Infertility – Can Endometriosis Prevent Pregnancy?

Endometriosis is a condition where parts of the inner lining of the uterus begin to grow outside of it, affecting main organs like the ovaries and the fallopian tubes.
It’s very important to know what is the relationship between Endometriosis and Infertility, because it is estimated that 10% of women during their “reproductive years”, regardless of their ethnicity or social background, suffer from Endometriosis.
This means that 176 million of women worldwide have to deal with it and may be having trouble to conceive.

So, how does Endometriosis and Infertility affect my chances to get pregnant naturally?

Having Endometriosis does not mean you won’t be able to have children, it just means that it will be harder and it could take more time (up to three years). Actually, nearly 70% of women suffering from moderate Endometriosis do conceive without extra help. Nonetheless, if your Endometriosis is severe, it might require surgical intervention, IVF or other kind of treatments.

What does Endometriosis do to my body?

Endometriosis can:

* Block your fallopian tubes

* Destroy parts of the fallopian tube that won’t allow the egg to be released

* Inflammation of the pelvis that stimulate the production of cells that attack sperm

* Create immune response from the pelvis, interfering with fertilization

How do I know if I have Endometriosis?

The most common symptoms of Endometriosis and Infertility are:

* Pelvic Pain, usually occurring at the same time that the MC (menstrual cycle)

* Irregular Ovulation or the absence of it

However, if you suspect you may have Endometriosis, it is strongly recommended that you pay a visit to a Reproductive Endocrinologist and practice yourself an Ultrasound or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

How do I treat Endometriosis?
There is actually no cure for Endometriosis, although, there are several treatments that can help you to conceive.

They are:

1 – Medications to prevent ovulation from occurring for a period of time to allow the Endometrial to heal itself.

2 – A Surgery procedure to remove the Endo called Laparoscopy

3 – IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or IVF Treatment (In Vitro Fertilization)

As you see, Endometriosis and Infertility can be detected and treated and it’s not the end of the world. Still, if you are afraid you might be suffering from it, it would be strongly recommended to ask for a Reproductive Endocrinologist recommendation as soon as possible.