Does endometriosis affect fertility? That’s one question that comes to mind if you have been diagnosed with or are at risk for endometriosis.
With all the scary information available on the internet, getting pregnant and having a baby seems an impossible task.
Fortunately, with the advancement in medical science, there is greater hope for women with endometriosis having their own biological children.
Budget Fertility Centre, a renowned fertility clinic,specializes in treating endometriosis and other infertility issues. They have some of the best gynecologist in Mumbai who are expert in diagnosing and treating fertility problems caused by endometriosis.
With their effective treatment, care, and support, the chances of getting pregnant and carrying the pregnancy to full term is a reality.
You can visit Budget Fertility Centre to talk to their highly-experienced gynecologist doctor in Mumbai about your doubts and the best possible treatment for you.
Endometriosis Overview
Endometriosis is a condition wherein the tissues growing inside the uterus (endometrium) grow outside the uterus also. This tissue acts in the same way as the endometrial tissue. It grows and bleeds during your menstrual cycle. This causes inflammation and severe pain at the time of your menses. Further, it results in the build-up of scar tissues and adhesions.
Many women are unaware they have endometriosis until they have issues getting pregnant. However, not all women need medical assistance in getting pregnant.They conceive on their own.
How can you tell if you have endometriosis?
It is not necessary that everyone with endometriosis have symptoms. However, many women have abdominal or pelvic pain during their menstrual cycle or intercourse.
Endometriosis is the reason for not conceiving in approximately 30 to 50% of women with fertility issues. But with advanced reproductive medicines and procedures, a significant number of women can realize their dream of having a baby.
You can visit Budget Fertility Centre for world-class infertility treatment in Mumbai.
How does endometriosis affect your fertility?
There are several ways in which endometriosis may affect fertility.
- Egg quality
The inflammation caused by endometriosis in and around the reproductive organs is not conducive to conception. It can affect egg quality, maturation, fertilization, and implantation.
Furthermore, it also impacts the ovaries’ ability to produce hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen.
The formation of scar tissues in and around the ovaries hamper the blood flow. The ovaries get less supply of oxygen, which can negatively impact the egg’s quality and maturation.
- Blockages
As mentioned above, endometriosis can cause adhesions, scar tissues, and cysts in and around your reproductive organs, thereby impeding the process of conception.
When the ovary releases the matured egg, it has to travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus. However, this may not be possible as the scar tissues and ovarian cysts can:
- Obstruct the release of the egg
- Block the fallopian tubes
- Do not allow the fallopian tubes to pick up the eggs
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Often, endometriosis is diagnosed when women have problems conceiving and have to undergo tests to find the cause of their infertility. The tests include:
- Blood tests to monitor the ovarian reserve and hormone levels
- Hysterosalpingogram to inspect the fallopian tubes and uterus for blockages
- Imaging tests such as sonography
- Laparoscopy to check the inside of your body. It is a gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis and knowing how much it has progressed.
What are the different stages of endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a progressive condition that can get worse with time. It is categorized by stage depending on the extent it has spread:
Stage 1
Minimal: There are few superficial endometrial implants and scar tissues.
Stage 2
Mild:In this stage, the number of implants and scar tissues is more, and they go deeper into the organs.
Stage 3
Moderate: There are many deep implants, adhesions, and small cysts on the ovaries.
Stage 4
Severe: This stage has many deep implants, bigger ovarian cysts, and thicker adhesions.
What are the fertility treatments for endometriosis?
If endometriosis is the reason for your infertility, the gynecologist may recommend surgery or assisted reproductive technology.
Surgical treatment
Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, is used to diagnose, determine and treat endometriosis.
The fertility doctor will try to remove as much endometriosis and scar tissues as possible using laser ablation, surgical resection, or cauterization. This will reduce the symptoms and improve fertility.
IUI
Intrauterine insemination is a common infertility treatment in Mumbai in which the washed sperm from your partner is directly placed in the uterus at the time of your ovulation. It is a quick procedure with zero recovery time.
IVF
In vitro fertilization is an advanced fertility treatment in which the eggs are fertilized outside your body. Your fertility specialist will give you hormone medicines to produce multiple eggs. Once the eggs are matured, the doctor will retrieve them and mix them with the sperm sample provided by your partner for fertilization.
A couple of embryos are then transferred to your uterus after a few days. The remaining embryos can be frozen for later use.
Though endometriosis is not curable, treatments are available to manage it and make life easier. For added information, you can schedule an appointment at Budget Fertility Centre to speak with some of the best gynecologist in Mumbai for infertility treatments.