Couples who want to embrace pregnancy with their whole heart sometimes face difficulties due to underlying medical conditions and various contributing reasons, which leads to a difficult trying journey for them. Both men and women suffer from the stigma attached to infertility, which makes them reluctant to speak out about their medical issues and mental health.
Women suffer from infertility due to various reasons. Some are related to lifestyle that can be reversed with strict changes in routine and diet, but others are related to internal issues, which are often overlooked. The main cause behind that is misinformation and the stigma attached to menstrual and fertility issues.
This article provides you with information on one such prominent disease that causes immense pain to women yet remains unnoticed by many. With this article, we will discuss the relationship between Endometriosis and fertility in women with insights on the best fertility treatment for endometriosis.
What Is Endometriosis?
Women start going through a natural phenomenon called menstruation, commonly known as periods. The onset of the menstrual cycle refers to a woman’s ability to get pregnant naturally. In this cycle, every month, an egg is released for fertilization, which is called ovulation. The endometrial lining is responsible for pregnancy and periods in a woman’s body.
Pregnancy occurs when a sperm interacts with the egg, fertilizes it, and attaches to the uterus’s lining. In the absence of a pregnancy , the lining breaks, leading to the menstrual cycle or periods.
Endometriosis is a disease where the same tissue forming the endometrial lining inside the uterus grows abnormally outside the uterus, causing immense pain and discomfort. Infertility due to Endometriosis can lead to difficulty in conceiving a child.
Who Can Have Endometriosis?
Women of any age group who have started their menstrual cycle are susceptible to Endometriosis. There is no leading cause or specific reason assigned to this disease; however, there are certain signs of Endometriosis found in women discussed below for your understanding.
What Are The Signs Of Endometriosis?
Certain symptoms can indicate Endometriosis, including:
1. Pain and discomfort: Endometriosis is a painful disease women suffer from. It’s extremely uncomfortable due to severe pelvic and abdomen pain. Most young girls and women having Endometriosis experience painful periods and menstrual cramps. Some of them experience pain while urinating or while passing motion as well. Many women have experienced pain even during their ovulation.
2.Heavy bleeding: Few women going through Endometriosis suffer from heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle.
3. Painful sexual intercourse: Women suffering from Endometriosis may suffer from mild to severe pain during or after sexual intercourse, also called dyspareunia. It can be painful or exhausting, depending upon the stage of the disease.
4. Bloating and constipation: Another symptom of Endometriosis is an issue in digestion. If you are experiencing abdominal pain and bloating or constipation, it may indicate Endometriosis, although bloating and constipation can also be caused by other factors.
Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?
Yes, Endometriosis can be a possible cause of infertility in women; however, it is not necessary for women experiencing Endometriosis to suffer from infertility.
Infertility due to Endometriosis can be caused due to the following reasons:
1. Blocked fallopian tubes: Endometriosis can cause your fallopian tubes, which are responsible for transporting embryo to the uterus, to block due to the scar tissue caused by the disease, which can lead to infertility.
2. Negative effect on eggs and sperm: Endometriosis can damage the egg and sperm before fertilization, or can cause the embryo to fail to attach to the endometrial lining and lead to failed pregnancy attempts.
3. Failing to conceive after continuous efforts: If you are failing to conceive naturally even after 12 months of trying, Endometriosis can be a possible reason. A visit to a fertility doctor can help with the treatment of further issues with either drugs or surgery.
How Can Endometriosis Treatment For Fertility Help Women?
30-50% of women suffering from Endometriosis suffer from infertility.
To tackle this, the following best fertility treatments for Endometriosis are available for effective treatment of infertility caused by endometriosis:
- Surgery: Surgery can ease the pain and discomfort of this disease. Endometriosis, where ovarian cysts are prominent, can be treated with surgery for better chances of pregnancy.
- Medication: Medications for fertility prescribed by doctors can help in the production of more eggs. These medications are generally taken after the menstrual cycle and can lead to improved chances of natural pregnancy for women going through Endometriosis.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI): IVF and IUI treatments help many couples in the journey of conception. While IUI directly places sperm into a woman’s uterus, IVF takes it a few steps further by fertilizing eggs and sperm outside the uterus in a lab and then putting it inside the woman’s womb. These methods are less painful and more effective for individuals seeking parenthood.
Plan B Fertility is one of the best fertility clinics for Endometriosis treatment. Seeking help at the right time is better than avoiding your issues due to external factors like family pressure and social stigma. Discuss your symptoms with us, and we’ll help you rule out Endometriosis as a possible cause of infertility.
FAQ's
At what stage does Endometriosis cause infertility?
Endometriosis can cause infertility at any given stage; however, when minimal damage due to scar tissue is involved, fertility is less likely to suffer. Fertility suffers mostly when ovarian cysts or blockages in fallopian tubes are found due to Endometriosis.
Can you get pregnant if you have Endometriosis?
Yes, you can naturally conceive even with Endometriosis. It is not mandatory to have infertility due to Endometriosis.
What fertility treatment is best for Endometriosis?
The treatment for Endometriosis depends upon its severity and causes. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be helpful measures for women with severe Endometriosis. Fertility doctors also prescribe medicines to improve the production and the quality of eggs in women.
How to improve egg quality in Endometriosis?
There are no specific medical procedures to improve the quality of eggs. However, lifestyle changes like participating in a healthy diet, exercising, and quitting intoxicating substances can positively impact your fertility. You can also choose hormonal therapy to boost the chances of pregnancy.