This article will explain the connection between endometriosis and infertility, what impact the disease has on your ability to have children and what you can do to help yourself fall pregnant.

What is endometriosis?

The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium and is made up of tissue that is unique to the uterus. Endometriosis is the name of the condition where the same endometrial tissue is found outside the uterus, in other parts of the body. These lesions can occur in any part of the pelvic cavity, most commonly on or in the fallopian tubes, the ovaries and the pelvic wall.

The symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic pain, painful menstrual periods, an irregular cycle and heavy blood flow. It may be diagnosed when investigating menstrual problems or a failure to fall pregnant after some months of trying.

If I have endometriosis, does that mean I can’t have children?

Having endometriosis doesn’t automatically mean you are infertile; it does mean that you may have some problems conceiving. Statistics show that around 30% to 40% of women who have endometriosis may have fertility problems or be unable to have children.

Generally, women with endometriosis may have more problems conceiving than other women, but the degree to which endometriosis affects fertility has not been researched. It does appear that the extent of the endometriosis, and its location, has an impact on the extent of the problems likely to be experienced.

Many women who have endometriosis successfully conceive, carry and give birth to healthy children without experiencing any problems.  Many others conceive after some time, often with the help of surgery or assisted reproduction.

How does endometriosis affect conception?

The location and extent of the endometrial adhesions will determine how much the disease affects fertility. If the ovaries or fallopian tubes are affected, the endometriosis could prevent them working properly or they could be blocked by adhesions, and so a released egg may not be fertilized, or a fertilized egg may not be able to reach the uterus. Endometriosis lesions can also cause the ovaries or fallopian tubes to move slightly, meaning that they are not in the correct position to facilitate the movement of the eggs or sperm.

Endometrial tissue produces prostaglandins, the hormones necessary for successful fertilization and implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall, among other functions associated with pregnancy. In endometriosis, the excess endometrial tissue also produces prostaglandins, leading to an increase in the amount of the hormones in the body. This excess of hormones interferes with the processes of conception.

Endometriosis may also cause intercourse to be painful, and this could limit the amount of intercourse, reducing the possibility of fertilization during the woman’s most opportune time to become pregnant.

How can women with endometriosis be helped to become pregnant?

There are several options to help you to get pregnant, even if you have endometriosis. You may address the problems of endometriosis and infertility with a combination of treatments, including dietary, medical and alternative. An example is:-

• Making changes to your diet and exercise to improve your general health.
• Use natural therapies to re-balance your body’s hormones, to boost your immune system and to help to reduce active endometriosis.
• Possible surgery to remove adhesions and correct damage to reproductive organs.

You also have the option to use assisted reproductive techniques to help you conceive and maintain a pregnancy.