14 Aug Can endometriosis cause infertility?

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the endometrium, which is the tissue that forms the inner layer of the uterus, grows out of it. Because the development of the baby takes place in the uterus, endometriosis can have consequences on a woman’s fertility. However, this is not always the case, nor does it have to cause infertility or make conception more difficult.

This condition is relatively common. It affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age.

The manifestation of the symptoms usually varies a lot depending on the case. In some women it can present asymptomatically, while in others the symptoms can significantly alter their day to day. The most common symptoms are: 

• Heavy menstrual pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Pain in the neck
• And painful bowel movements or urination

It is important to visit your gynecologist if you have any signs or symptoms that may indicate endometriosis, to get a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Types of endometriosis

There are two types of endometriosis depending on the affected area:

Internal endometriosis

Includes the pelvic cavity, and may appear in the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries or bladder.

External endometriosis

Occurs when it develops in any other organ of the body outside the pelvic cavity. It usually affects the areas closest to it, such as the intestines or the rectum, although it may be the case that it is found in other organs.

How endometriosis can affect fertility?

About 30% to 40% of women with this condition have some trouble conceiving, because it does not allow the reproductive organs to function normally.

The inflammation and irritation caused by the endometriosis can produce distortion of the fallopian tubes so that they are unable to pick up the egg after ovulation and adversely affect the function of the ovary, egg, fallopian tubes or uterus due to organ inflammation.

How to achieve pregnancy when suffering from endometriosis

If a woman is in the situation of having an endometriosis whose development affects her fertility, there are different alternatives to achieve a successful pregnancy.

Ovarian stimulation can help a woman with endometriosis become a mother. With it, women can generate by their own means more ovules and thus increase their chances during conception.

One of the treatments that can be offered to get pregnant is artificial insemination with controlled ovarian stimulation. It can be done as long as the disease is mild, so it is important to study each case carefully.

Even so, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertilization process where the egg is injected with the sperm outside the body. It is presented as the best technique to eradicate infertility caused by this condition.

In conclusion, it is not possible to determine which of the above is the best solution since it depends for each type of patient, and could lead to a problem without a reliable diagnosis performed by a medical professional. Therefore, before considering any option, it is best to visit your gynecologist or doctor to receive adequate advice and assess the most appropriate treatments in your case.

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