Is it difficult to get pregnant with endometriosis?

It is almost all women’s dream to conceive and give birth to a child. Many women can bear a child easily. But sometimes some women have difficulties in achieving that aspect. There are many causes of infertility. One of which is endometriosis.

What is endometriosis? A lot of questions come in mind when we encounter this word. We need to understand fully what endometriosis is and how it affects ones’ fertility. Knowing what it is can help you in treating or dealing with it. You would understand and know if you can get pregnant with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition in which the uterine lining tissue develops and grows on the pelvic cavity or ovaries. The cause is not definite and is thought to be inherent. Research shows that some possible causes are linked to genes, irregular menstruation, immune system, environmental chemicals and estrogen. Throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle, uterine lining develops to get ready for pregnancy, but if no pregnancy takes place the lining is shed. But in the case of endometriosis the uterine tissues grows in the ovaries, pelvic cavity or abdomen. Blood is trapped and accumulated in these areas and forms scarring and adhesions.

It would take eight years to diagnose endometriosis. There are about forty percent of women suffering from this condition and to get pregnant with endometriosis is quite difficult to achieve. Symptoms may include pain when urinating especially when having periods, heavy bleeding and/or irregular periods, experiencing pain during sexual intercourse and acute pain in the pelvic area before and during menstruation. Many do not know that they have endometriosis until they are trying to conceive. This condition when left untreated can affect fertility.

Is it difficult to get pregnant with endometriosis? There are about thirty to forty percent of women who have endometriosis encounter problems with fertility. This is because the egg that is supposed to be fertilized in the uterus is blocked by the lesions and scar tissues that may grow in the fallopian tubes. But women who have mild endometriosis will still be able to conceive. Women who have been treated or undergone surgery for endometriosis have a 72 percent chance of conceiving, while women who have severe endometriosis and did not undergo treatment only have 9% chance of pregnancy.

Treatment for endometriosis can be by taking pain relievers, hormonal replacement therapy, surgeries, alternative treatments like acupuncture and herbal remedies. Women who want to get pregnant with endometriosis often undergo infertility treatments like IVF. There is a higher chance of becoming pregnant if women with endometriosis take a certain hormonal replacement medications for six months before undergoing IVF. It is best to discuss your plans of getting pregnant with your physician to know which treatment suits you.