How Endometriosis Impacts Fertility

Infertility is a difficult issue and one that can cause tremendous tension, stress, and heartbreak. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for about a year with no luck, you may be battling infertility. It’s something you certainly never hoped you would have to experience.

When it comes to infertility, there can be many different causes. So the first thing you want to do is try to find the reason. Come in to see us at the Advanced Endometriosis Center and let Dr. Ulas Bozdogan, MD, FACOG, figure out what’s going on.

To help you understand this condition, we put together some information here about endometriosis.

Understanding endometriosis

Endometriosis is fairly common, affecting one out of 10 women, usually in their 30s to 40s. It’s when the tissue that makes up the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus, often in the peritoneum, the ovaries, or fallopian tubes.

Unfortunately, endometriosis can directly affect and have a negative impact on the menstrual cycle. The tissue can bleed, become irritated, swollen, and inflamed, which means it can also cause scar tissue or adhesions.

Endometriosis and fertility issues

As it turns out, 40% of women who are dealing with infertility have endometriosis. The conditions it causes can damage both the egg and the sperm or block the fallopian tubes and sperm, thus preventing pregnancy. If you notice you’re having pain in the pelvic area around the time you’re menstruating or during sex, or are having more than usual bleeding during your period, you may be suffering from endometriosis and should immediately come in to see Dr. Bozdogan.

We’ll need to do a full examination, including a pelvic, vaginal, and cervical exam. But the only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is through a surgical procedure called laparoscopy. This also involves performing a biopsy.

Treating endometriosis

The best course of action depends on the severity of the condition and if you are currently trying to get pregnant. Treatments for endometriosis may include:

• Pain relievers
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Hormonal medications

But if your condition is more severe, goes beyond pain, and is affecting your ability to get pregnant, surgery is the next option.

With surgery, Dr. Bozdogan can remove the adhesions, endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus, and blocks and can restore your anatomy. Surgery can eliminate your pain and improve your chances of conception. Dr. Bozdogan is an expert at performing this procedure with robotic surgery.

Sadly, there are times when the surgery doesn’t work, and a hysterectomy may be the only decision left. But this the last option we consider, and we do all we can before that becomes part of the discussion. The most important thing is your personal health and living a pain-free life.

Let Dr. Bozdogan help you with your fertility issues and find out what’s going on. Make an appointment today. Call us directly at either our New York or New Jersey location, or request an appointment right here.