Endometriosis and fertility

Endometriosis and fertility

Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of women of reproductive age globally, which is approximately 190 million women worldwide. 3 This makes it one of the most common conditions that affect the reproductive system, with 1 in 10 women being affected.

In this article, we will explain what endometriosis is and outline the following:

• Symptoms of endometriosis

• Treatment for endometriosis

• How endometriosis affects your ability to get pregnant

• How endometriosis impacts your IVF success

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those located in the womb's lining grow in other places of the body, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes.

Each month, these cells react to the changing hormone levels in the same way as the ones in the womb's lining: by breaking down and being removed as a period bleed. However, the endometriosis cells that are not in the womb's lining cannot be removed from the body as they should be and instead build up in the body. This in turn causes inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.

Credit: endometriosis-uk.org

In the UK, 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are diagnosed with endometriosis. It can affect women of any age, including teenagers and women going through menopause.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The symptoms of endometriosis may vary between individuals and depend on the severity of the condition. Some women may be affected badly, whereas others are less so.

Some common symptoms of endometriosis include:

• pain in your lower stomach or back (also called pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period

• heavy periods

• very strong period pain (such that stops you from doing your normal activities)

• pain during or after sex

• pain when urinating during your period

• feeling sick, constipated, diarrhoea, or blood in your urine during your period

• difficulty getting pregnant