Endometriosis and infertility
If you have endometriosis, you might be wondering whether it will affect your fertility and the possibility of becoming pregnant. Although endometriosis can affect fertility, you can still become pregnant and have a family.
In this article, we explore endometriosis and what it means for your fertility. Learn all you need to know and more about endometriosis and infertility with the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common condition where tissue similar to the womb’s lining grows outside it. Endometrial tissue often grows on ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining in your pelvis. In rare cases, endometriosis can develop further throughout the body (for example, in the bladder or bowel).
When endometrial tissue develops outside the womb, it acts like it would inside it. This means that each month it thickens, breaks down and bleeds like your period. However, the tissue can’t leave the body, which results in inflammation – this is what causes symptoms. It can also cause pain with periods and at other times, painful sex, pain with bowel movements, cysts, and scar tissue formation.
Endometriosis cannot be cured, but treatments can manage your symptoms.
How does endometriosis affect fertility?
Endometriosis can affect fertility. Even if you have severe endometriosis, it’s possible to become pregnant.
However, because endometriosis causes endometrial tissue to grow on reproductive organs, it can affect the ability of the tube to collect the egg after ovulation or hinder an egg from moving down the fallopian tube. It may also affect interactions between the egg and the sperm.
Although endometriosis can affect your fertility, some treatments can help manage your condition to enhance your chances of pregnancy. Similarly, fertility treatments are available that can help you become pregnant – even with endometriosis.
Can you become pregnant naturally if you have endometriosis?
Yes, you can conceive naturally if you have endometriosis, and most women do.
Endometriosis is usually graded in stages. The more severe it is, the harder it can be for you to conceive naturally.
If your endometriosis is in a severe stage, fertility treatments may help you overcome endometriosis conception challenges.
Does endometriosis affect pregnancy?
Having endometriosis shouldn’t affect your pregnancy, and the risks associated with it are uncommon. There is a small increased risk of preterm birth and need for a Caesarean birth, particularly for those women with more severe endometriosis.
There is also an elevated risk of a low-lying placenta, which is where the placenta attaches to your womb lower than it should. If you have a low-lying placenta, you may bleed during pregnancy. In some cases, heavy bleeding could put your baby at risk.
Although endometriosis can make conceiving harder, many women with the condition go on to have families through various endometriosis management and fertility treatment plans.
Some women find their endometriosis symptoms improve while pregnant due to higher levels of the progesterone hormone, which can slow the growth of endometrial tissue outside the womb. You also won’t experience menstruation during pregnancy, so you may find relief from your typical symptoms.
Will endometriosis increase the risk of miscarriage?
It’s unclear whether endometriosis increases your risk of miscarriage, and further research is needed.
Various studies have found different results, so the risk of miscarriage may be more likely tied to other factors like your age.
Fertility treatments for endometriosis
Fertility treatments may help if you have endometriosis and are struggling to conceive naturally.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be options for you as they bypass the need for sperm to travel to meet the egg. In IVF, we collect and fertilise your eggs or donor eggs with sperm in a laboratory before returning them to your womb.
In IUI, we place sperm directly into your womb around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of pregnancy.
Another option is intra-cytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI) in cases where there is also a male fertility issue, such as an issue detected on a semen analysis or sperm test. This fertility treatment directly injects sperm into an egg before placing it back into your womb.
We can support your fertility in many ways with fertility treatments that can help you begin or continue your parenthood journey, even with endometriosis.
Surgery can also be an option for women looking to improve their fertility. A minimally invasive procedure can surgically remove mild endometriosis. By removing the overgrown endometrial tissue, you might ovulate properly and increase your chances of becoming pregnant naturally. Surgery prior to fertility treatment is advised only if required due to severe symptoms or if there are large endometriosis-related cysts (endometriomas) that would make the collection of eggs for IVF or ICSI treatment difficult.
Speak with our fertility specialists about endometriosis and fertility treatment
Endometriosis is a complex condition that can affect your fertility. However, your fertility can be supported in many ways to increase your chances of pregnancy.
Fertility support is also available for women with endometriosis to help them start or continue their families. Our dedicated team provides bespoke care based on your unique needs.
If you have a known diagnosis of endometriosis and are concerned about your fertility, or if you think you have symptoms that are suggestive of endometriosis.
Reach out to us today, and our fertility specialists will be here to offer you personalised advice and care.