At Philadelphia Women’s Health & Wellness, we feel that women who want to become pregnant should have the chance to pursue motherhood in whatever way they desire. For those who have endometriosis, their path to motherhood is not always a straightforward one.
We’re here to assist women from in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with compassionate care for endometriosis, especially as it pertains to fertility. Here’s an overview of how endometriosis and fertility are connected.
Simply put, endometriosis is a condition that develops when cells similar to the ones that line your uterus (endometrium) are located outside of the uterus. These cells form tissue that behaves just like the tissue within your uterus.
That means the tissue will thicken at a certain point in your menstrual cycle. It will also shed at the same time as your endometrial tissue inside your uterus sheds and passes through your cervix and vagina as your period.
The difference is that the tissue located outside of your uterus has no way to exit your body, and creates inflammation and other issues within your abdominal cavity. This can cause significant problems, including incredibly painful periods.
Endometriosis can complicate your efforts to become pregnant in a number of ways. Researchers are still learning about the specific fertility challenges brought on or complicated by endometriosis.
One of the most significant problems endo causes is altering a woman’s reproductive organs. This can include problems like blocked fallopian tubes, inflammation of pelvic structures, and adhesions between pelvic organs.
Endometriosis can change the hormonal environment of your eggs, reducing their quality. It can also get in the way of proper implantation within the uterus, which is a necessary step in a successful pregnancy. Endo can even change your immune function, potentially making it difficult to conceive or sustain a pregnancy.
Aside from these specific issues, endometriosis often brings a decreased quality of life for women. Heavy bleeding, irregular periods, and serious pain can make life feel unpredictable and out of your control. These challenges can get in the way of your family planning efforts and simply make daily life uncomfortable.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that can help you manage endometriosis. Hormonal birth control is one of the first things medical professionals usually try to get endo under control. Of course, if you’re trying to get pregnant, this approach won’t be helpful.
Conservative surgery can be a good fit. This approach involves surgically removing endometriosis tissue in your pelvic and abdominal region. These procedures are usually done using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, although women with extensive endo might need an open surgical approach. There are minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons in the greater Philadelphia region, and the doctors at Philadelphia Women’s Health & Wellness can help you decide if that is right for you and refer you to the right surgeon.
In some cases, fertility treatments are a good way to improve your chances of conception. One approach is medication that prompts your ovaries to release more eggs. Another is a multi-step process that connects sperm and eggs outside the body, known as in vitro fertilization.
Your practitioner can also assess your overall health to determine if additional issues might be impacting your fertility and how to address any areas of concern.
If you’re interested in exploring how your endometriosis might be affecting your fertility, simply reach out to the team at Philadelphia Women’s Health & Wellness to schedule a visit. We can help with diagnosing endometriosis, working through treatment options, and help provide needed referrals for managing symptoms and fertility concerns.
