Endometriosis and Infertility: Your Questions Answered
Deciding to have children is both an exciting and emotional time. That can be especially true if you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis. If you’re struggling to conceive, you may have additional concerns about endometriosis and infertility. You may even wonder whether pregnancy is possible and safe for women with endometriosis. Thankfully, there is hope.
Dr. Gary B. Sullivan is here to answer your questions about getting pregnant if you have this common and painful condition. If you don’t find an answer to your questions below, please do read our FAQs or contact Dr. Gary for comprehensive, personalized advice on endometriosis and fertility.
Can Endometriosis Cause Fertility Problems?
Endometriosis might make it more difficult for you to conceive. However, 70% of individuals with minimal to moderate endometriosis will be able to conceive without treatment. If you have mild or moderate endometriosis and are finding it hard to become pregnant, Dr. Gary B. Sullivan can advise you on the best treatment options that are least likely to interfere with your ability to conceive.
Why Does Endometriosis Cause Issues With Conceiving?
Endometriosis may lead to difficulty conceiving for a variety of reasons:
An alteration in hormones that makes it difficult for eggs to mature
Scarred fallopian tubes
Adhesions (when scar tissue joins areas of the body together) in the reproductive organs
Changes or inflammation to pelvic anatomy and structure
Impaired immune system
Difficulty with egg implantation
Differing egg quality
Cysts in the ovaries
The good news is that there is hope for women with endometriosis who wish to become pregnant. Though we can’t guarantee that you’ll conceive, we’ll do everything possible to increase your chances of starting a family from our state-of-the-art women’s health facility.
Will The Severity Of Endometriosis Impact My Fertility?
The severity of your endometriosis may be linked to the chances of you getting pregnant. Your doctor will evaluate your endometriosis (often before surgery) and rate it on a scale of 1-4. The four scores given are minimal (1), mild (2), moderate (3), and severe (4). Women with Stage 4 endometriosis are more likely to experience difficulty getting pregnant. After specialized endometriosis surgery, however, studies suggest the chances of getting pregnant will increase across all severity levels.
Is Pregnancy With Endometriosis Considered Dangerous?
If you are pregnant and have endometriosis, your doctor will pay special attention to your pregnancy. This is because hormonal changes and inflammation may require additional monitoring while you are pregnant.
Research is ongoing into the link between miscarriages and endometriosis; however, some studies do suggest a link exists. With careful monitoring and support from an endometriosis specialist, you can reduce the risk of miscarriages during pregnancy.
What Can I Do If I Have Endometriosis And I Am Unable to Conceive?
There are a number of different fertility treatments for endometriosis. Endometriosis treatment for fertility may include:
Clomiphene IUI Treatment
Clomiphene citrate is a five-day fertility medication treatment that can be given to a woman shortly after their menstrual period. The male partner also produces a sperm sample that is inserted into the uterus with a tube (known as intrauterine insemination (IUI). This treatment is usually for those with Stage 1 and Stage 2 endometriosis. The success rate of IUI for women under the age of 35 is 13%. This falls to between 3 and 9% for women over the age of 40.
In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is the process of stimulating egg growth in the ovaries through a series of small injections. When the eggs are ready to be removed, the individual will have the eggs extracted under a general anesthetic. A few days later, one or more embryos will be placed into the uterus using a thin tube. IVF has just under a 50% success rate for women under the age of 35, while women over the age of 42 have a success rate of 4%.
Endometriosis and Infertility: You Are Not Alone
The decision to start a family is one of the most important and significant journeys of your life. If yours is off to a difficult start, know that there is hope. There are many different options to help women with endometriosis who are trying to conceive. With the support of an endometriosis and fertility specialist, you can get vital guidance, effective treatment, and the resources you deserve.
Contact an Endometriosis Specialist in Statesboro, GA
Dr. Gary B. Sullivan, FACOG, FACS, is a renowned OB/GYN and endometriosis specialist with a mission to help women in all stages of life live pain-free. If you have been trying to conceive for over a year without success, reach out to Dr. Sullivan for personalized care and guidance. Call (912) 871-2000 or contact us online to gain support from Dr. Gary B. Sullivan and his expert team at Statesboro Women’s Health Specialists today.