Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility, contributing to about half of the time in infertile women. If you’re having difficulty conceiving and you haven’t been diagnosed with endometriosis, it’s worth a visit to gynecologist John A. Whitfield, MD, in Fort Worth, Texas, to check if this often misdiagnosed condition is working against your efforts.
The precise cause of endometriosis isn’t fully understood. There are suspected causes and risk factors associated with the condition, as well as complications and symptoms, many of which overlap with those of other conditions and diseases, making an accurate diagnosis important.
When you’re trying and failing to get pregnant, it’s important to know that endometriosis isn’t part of your problem. In this blog, we’ll examine the connection between endometriosis and fertility with everything you should know to ease your conception journey.
The tissue that your body discards through menstruation each month is called the endometrium. It’s the layer of the uterus that supports a fertilized egg when you get pregnant.
When endometrial tissue grows anywhere else besides the wall of the uterus, it may be a problem. The hormones that control your menstrual cycle cause all endometrial tissue to behave as though it is still lining the uterus. However, when it’s not, it can cause heavy periods, pain, and in some cases infertility.
When endometriosis implants in the fallopian tubes and around the ovaries, a condition called retrograde endometriosis, it can create inflammation and scar tissue.
Endometriosis can also alter your immune system, prevent the implantation of an embryo in the uterine wall, and even affect the quality of the eggs released by the ovaries. Any of these effects can prevent you from conceiving and becoming pregnant.
Normally, your chances of becoming pregnant in any given month are between 10% and 20%. Endometriosis can reduce your chances as low as 1% to 10%.
Much depends on how endometriosis affects you and its severity. Dr. Whitfield works with you to understand your family-planning goals and develop a treatment plan that supports your efforts.
Typically, you’ll start with conservative treatments. Mild cases of endometriosis can often be managed with pain control. Hormone therapy is another option to control your symptoms, but it may not be compatible with your pregnancy plans.
Often, surgery can remove excess endometrial tissue and the scar tissue it creates to restore your fertility.
The right treatment for you starts with a careful diagnosis. Contact John A. Whitfield, MD, for a full evaluation of your condition. You can book your appointment by calling us at 817-927-2229 today.
