Endometriosis
Endometriosis Symptoms and Infertility
Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility and pelvic pain in women. Up to 40% of women having trouble trying to conceive have endometriosis. Endometriosis appears to be more common in daughters of women who had endometriosis, suggesting a genetic link. Endometriosis symptoms include pain during menstruation, intercourse, bowel movements, or emptying the bladder. It is also often present with no symptoms.
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells enter the pelvic cavity through a back flow of blood during the menstrual cycle and attach to internal organs. Once in the bloodstream, endometrial cells can travel throughout the body. It is commonly seen on the rectum, ovary, uterus, and tubes but has been documented in many organs distant to the pelvic cavity, including the lungs and the brain.
Endometriosis is typically “staged” according to its severity and likelihood of causing infertility. The stages include:
- Stage 1 – minimal
- Stage 2 – mild
- Stage 3 – moderate
- Stage 4 – severe
Endometriosis and Infertility
Endometriosis can affect fertility in many different ways:
- Failed or irregular ovulation
- Causing inflammation within the pelvic cavity
- Failed or impaired fertilization of eggs
- Chronic pelvic inflammation preventing embryos from developing
- Causing physical damage to important reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes
Endometriosis Symptoms & Treatments
Diagnosing Endometriosis
A fertility doctor (reproductive endocrinologist) should perform a laparoscopy for the evaluation of endometriosis. These highly trained specialists can often treat the disease during the diagnostic laparoscopy.
Treating Endometriosis
Endometriosis depends on estrogen for growth so drug treatments aim at reducing estrogen levels. It is commonly treated with Lupron, a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. Once the estrogen levels decline the patient can experience all of the side effects normally associated with menopause. However, it will slow endometrial cell growth.
Endometriosis is often surgically removed during a laparoscopy. Fertility specialists meticulously remove all endometriosis lesions as there is some evidence that even small amounts of endometriosis can lower pregnancy rates.
If endometriosis has penetrated the fallopian tubes, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be the best treatment option. Tubal damage may be so severe that surgical treatment may not be a viable option. There may also be severe damage to the ovaries or other internal organs.
For more information on endometriosis, or to talk with a fertility specialist about fertility treatment options in Los Angeles, Orange County, North San Diego or Rancho Cucamonga, contact us today.