Endometriosis and Infertility: How Are They Linked?

Trying to get pregnant can feel especially frustrating if you have endometriosis. In fact, women with endometriosis are four times more likely to experience infertility than women without the condition. 

What’s the link between endometriosis and infertility?

At Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska, our caring team is here to help you understand how endometriosis can affect your fertility — and explain what you can do about it.

About endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition where uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the pelvic cavity lining. While pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding are the most common symptoms, endometriosis may also cause bloating, fatigue, and infertility.

Every month, this tissue behaves like your uterine lining: It thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. However, unlike normal menstrual blood within your uterus, this blood has no way to exit the body. Over time, the displaced tissue causes inflammation and scarring.

Link between endometriosis and infertility

The exact link isn’t fully understood, but researchers believe multiple factors are involved. However, they have found that women with more widespread endometrial growth are more likely to struggle with infertility. 

Women with more endometrial growths may have a harder time getting pregnant due to structural and functional changes that affect egg fertilization — such as scar tissue blocking the fallopian tube — or embryo implantation. The chronic inflammation may also damage the egg, sperm, or embryo, affecting your ability to get and stay pregnant. 

Endometriosis can also interfere with the hormones necessary for ovulation and implantation.

What you can do

Endometriosis can make it more difficult to get pregnant, but many women with the condition go on to have healthy pregnancies. The right treatment depends on the severity of your endometriosis and overall fertility health. 

Mild cases

If your endometriosis is mild, you may not have any trouble conceiving. If you do, we may recommend fertility medication to increase ovulation or intrauterine insemination (IUI), inserting sperm directly into the uterus. 

Moderate to severe cases

If your endometriosis is moderate to severe, we may recommend surgery to remove endometrial growths to improve your chances. We may also suggest in vitro fertilization (IVF) if it gives you the best chance of growing your family.

Don’t lose hope if you have endometriosis

Endometriosis may complicate your fertility journey, but that doesn’t mean pregnancy is out of the question. If you have endometriosis and you’re thinking about starting or growing your family, our experts at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, can talk to you about your options. 

Call us today or book an appointment online to get started.