Endometriosis and Infertility

Most people assume that when they are ready they will fall pregnant and have a healthy little baby.

Unfortunately this is not always the case. Most people will get pregnant within 6 months of trying. If this is not happening for you then it’s time to see a specialist and have yourself tested. You can read more about what’s involved in this.

Natural infertility is not the only thing that can cause an issue when you try to conceive. In fact Endometriosis can seriously affect your ability to conceive.

What Is Endometriosis?

Research shows that 10% of women have endometriosis. That’s approximately 176 million women across the world. The name of this condition is actually connected to the lining that is produced in your womb every month; the endometrium.

This lining is usually shed and then expelled from your body as part of your usual menstrual cycle.

However, there are times when it can travel in the wrong direction and move out of the fallopian tube and into you abdomen.

Because it is used to sticking to things this tissue can easily coat other organs and stick to them.

Unfortunately the tissues is then encouraged to grow when your body releases hormones to encourage a new lining to form in your womb.

When the new lining is shed the lining on your organs should also shed; but it has nowhere to go. The result is inflammation and pain.

Symptoms Connected With Endometriosis

The most common symptom is pain and discomfort in your abdomen just before and during the first part of your normal menstrual cycle. However it is worth noting that the amount of pain does not directly relate to the severity of your condition.

It is possible to have mild endometriosis and have very harsh symptoms or to have severe endometriosis and hardly any symptoms.

It is also known to trigger other issues such as asthma and eczema.

How It Affects Fertility

Because your lining is travelling and adhering to the wrong parts of your body it is going to cause inflammation. If this happens in the fallopian tubes you will gain scarring as the inflammation fades and heals.

Once this has happened on several occasions it is likely that the scarring will block the passage of the egg along the tube. The inflammation can also damage the egg or even the sperm if they can make it along these tubes.

In severe cases it is possible that endometriosis can cause your pelvic organs to stick together; damaging their ability to work effectively and even blocking your fallopian tubes.

Dealing With Endometriosis

It is possible to remove the lining and even reverse much of the damage done inside your body through laparoscopy surgery and the use of a laser.

Unfortunately surgery really is the only option.

If you are looking to conceive then it is worth trying this first, the alternative is to have your eggs harvested and implanted back into you. Interestingly becoming pregnant actually improves endometriosis!

This is a guest blog entry.