Endometriosis is a common health condition among women of reproductive age that can cause pain and infertility. Still, it is also true that around 60% of women with mild to moderate endometriosis conditions have conceived naturally without requiring any treatment.
However, recent studies found that endometriosis is now among the leading causes of infertility. So, what are the chances of getting pregnant naturally with endometriosis? And what are the fertility treatment options for the condition? Let’s discuss this here.
Endometriosis and Fertility
Endometriosis is a condition when endometrial-like tissue (glands and stroma) grow outside the uterus, which induces a chronic inflammatory reaction, scar tissue, and adhesions that may distort reproductive organs, such as - fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterosacral ligaments, and may also affect areas outside the pelvic cavity.
In many cases, women with mild to moderate endometriosis symptoms are not infertile and don't generally require fertility treatments to conceive. But in some cases, endometriosis can have a negative effect on your chances of getting pregnant.
Can you get pregnant with Endometriosis?
The short answer can be 'yes' as there are good chances of pregnancy after endometriosis surgery. Most women with endometriosis will still become pregnant without any medical assistance. Therefore, it is essential to understand endometriosis, its treatment, and what to expect after the surgery.
Treatments available for Endometriosis
Depending on your symptoms and severity of endometriosis, surgical or medical intervention may be needed to help you conceive. There are several treatments available for endometriosis:
Medication
Your fertility doctor may recommend a combination of drugs & medicines to support ovulation or lower or block estrogen that will control the pain.
Surgeries
Several surgeries can improve fertility with endometriosis. Laparoscopy and Laparotomy may be the best way to improve fertility and the chance of conceiving.
Laparoscopy is the most common type of surgery, and it is performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions with the aid of a camera. Your chances of becoming pregnant are improved after surgical treatment.
If endometriosis is seen during surgery, your doctor will surgically remove the endometriosis and the scar tissue. So, it allows your reproductive organs to function more normally.
Hysterectomy - In most severe cases of endometriosis, hysterectomy can be carried out to take out the ovaries, uterus, or cervix. And once the female's uterus is removed, it is impossible to get pregnant as the uterus is the womb where the baby grows during pregnancy.
Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART)
In In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination IUI) are also effective treatments for endometriosis-related infertility. The therapy involves the manipulation of eggs, sperm, and hormones to achieve pregnancy.
What to Expect after Endometriosis Surgery?
Endometriosis doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, and it is among the most common but treatable causes of infertility in women. However, just like any other medical procedure and surgery, nothing is entirely guaranteed.
As a rule of thumb, if pregnancy does not occur after 6 months post laparoscopy surgery, your fertility doctors can recommend additional endometriosis fertility treatments. For example, one may consider IVF to help achieve pregnancy.
However, you can't get pregnant if there is a severe case of endometriosis that needs hysteroscopy surgery to remove the uterus.
We highly recommend choosing the best team of fertility experts & endometriosis specialists to carry out your surgery, as they can make all the difference when starting the family of your dreams.
Talk with the fertility doctor at the best IVF center in Ahmedabad at Crysta IVF to know more about endometriosis treatment in India and when it will be safe to get pregnant after laparoscopy.