Endometriosis and Fertility Issues and Solutions

Endometriosis requires medical attention. It negatively affects fertility. Women suffering from it find it difficult to become pregnant. It helps to consult a health provider.

Endometriosis happens to be a relatively common condition that affects people across the world. It causes abdominal pain, especially during the menstrual cycle or sex. It can affect fertility.

Several women affected by it find it difficult to become pregnant.

Endometriosis Causing Infertility

Endometriosis does cause tissue to build up outside the uterus, thus causing inflammation, scarring, and cysts. It often does build up around the ovaries or fallopian tubes (the tube where an egg travels to the woman’s uterus).

They can become blocked when adhesions form in or around the fallopian tubes. This does prevent the egg from traveling via the tube during ovulation, thus lowering the chances of becoming pregnant each month.

Endometriosis causes the following changes that may affect fertility:

• Changed anatomy of one’s pelvis
• Scar tissue (adhesions)
• Scarred fallopian tubes
• Inflammation in one’s pelvic structures
• Immune system changes
• Impaired implantation
• Hormonal changes
• Different egg quality

Managing Endometriosis Symptoms Via Self-Care

Fertility treatment for those with endometriosis. There are effective treatment options for those who have endometriosis and are keen to become pregnant. The treatment plan greatly depends on the extent and location of the endometriosis tissue and one’s overall health.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is often recommended for people with mild to moderate endometriosis and pregnancy issues.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) can be recommended for people with moderate to even severe endometriosis and in cases where IUI is unsuccessful.

Endometriosis Surgery

Endometriosis surgery can be helpful for those trying to become pregnant with mild or even moderate endometriosis. Surgery does destroy or remove endometriosis tissue. This helps to open up the fallopian tubes if scar tissue happens to be blocking them.

For those with moderate to severe endometriosis, surgery can remove any large pieces of endometriosis tissue and also restore the normal anatomy of the pelvis. Surgery can, in fact, be an effective fertility treatment on its own or may be combined with IUI or IVF.

Pain Relief While Conceiving

This is a common occurrence that entails pain with sex. Talking to a healthcare provider helps. Endometriosis tissue does cause inflammation in one’s pelvis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are quite helpful. Talking to a provider is required if pain is not controlled with over-the-counter options.

How Endometriosis Is Treated?

Improving Your Chances of Conceiving

Several people with endometriosis can become pregnant. Medical help may be required in the future.

Endometriosis tissue grows and thickens in response to estrogen, so it is necessary to find ways to regulate the amount of estrogen in the body.

To lower one’s estrogen levels, lifestyle changes are needed, like:

• Exercise regularly: This does help a person maintain a healthy weight, which does improve endometriosis symptoms. It can also decrease the amount of estrogen circulating in one’s blood.
• Limit caffeine: Large amounts of caffeine can also raise estrogen levels, so considering cutting back on coffee, soda, or tea consumption is good.

• Avoiding alcohol: Drinking alcohol raises estrogen levels.

  Related Read: 16 Useful Tips for Trying to Conceive from Experts

Causes and Risk Factors of Endometriosis

The best age to be pregnant with endometriosis

A person’s natural fertility does start to gradually decline in their 30s. It is easier to become pregnant in your 20s than in your 30s or 40s.

Pregnancy Complications with Endometriosis

Most people with endometriosis who are pregnant have healthy pregnancies and babies. Yet endometriosis can raise the risk of certain pregnancy complications, including:

• High blood pressure.
• Gestational diabetes.
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Miscarriage.
• Low birth weight.

Suggested Read: IVF and Beyond Alternative Fertility Treatment Options

When to seek care?

Endometriosis is treatable. Talking with a healthcare provider helps. If you are 35 or older, discuss with a provider when you are ready to start a pregnancy.

Suggested Read: PCOS Fertility Issues and Solutions

Conclusion

Endometriosis adhesions make it more difficult to become pregnant. Depending on the stage of the disease, a healthcare provider may recommend medications, endometriosis surgery, IUI, or IVF to manage endometriosis and increase the chances of conceiving.