Endometriosis has long been associated with fertility problems.  In my fertility support group alone 7 out of 25-30 women were diagnosed with fertility problems due to endometriosis.  What is hard to believe is that, although the link between fertility problems and Endometriosis is recognized, the exact cause or reason for this link is still unknown.

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium lining or tissue lining of the uterus spreads outside the uterus to various places including the fallopian tubes, ovaries and abdominal cavity.  Although many women exhibit symptoms of endometriosis, it is only diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery so that the doctor can visibly see the spreading of the tissue.

Some women have endometriosis without knowing it and never have fertility problems.  About 40% of women who have fertility problems are found to have endometriosis.  It can cause the tubes to be blocked and can impede in ovulation.

While many women complain of having such things as a painful menstrual cycle or painful intercourse, some women do not know that they even have endometriosis until laparoscopic surgery is performed to look for the cause of fertility problems.  It is highly unusual for a woman with severe scarring to not have at least a few symptoms of endometriosis.

The main theory regarding the cause of endometriosis is that it is caused when menstrual blood back flows into the pelvic cavity during menstruation.  This back flow eats away at the endometrium and causes scarring.  There also appears to be a genetic predisposition for endometriosis as it is not uncommon for sisters, mothers, grandmothers and aunts to all have the disease.

Treatment for endometriosis includes surgery to remove the scar tissue, although it typically will eventually return, and hormone therapy using such medications as lupron.  Unfortunately, the use of lupron lowers your estrogen levels and impedes the production of FSH and LH which will keep you from getting pregnant.  Because endometriosis can be so painful, this is an option that many women are willing to choose to avoid the pain.

You should discuss your severity of endometriosis with your doctor before beginning any fertility treatments.  Depending on how severe it is and where it is found in your reproductive tract will greatly affect your options as far as IVF and IUI.  Blocked fallopian tubes or scarring on your ovaries require further testing and possible surgeries.

Although the exact cause of endometriosis is unknown and the reason it causes fertility problems is unclear, it is obvious that there is a link between endometriosis and fertility problems.  Going through fertility problems and discovering you have endometriosis seems to be a catch 22.  Now you know what is causing the problems, but how and why is it happening?  I encourage you to contact the Endometriosis Association for further information, suggestions and support.  One of the best ways to deal with a disease like endometriosis is to become an expert on the subject.  Through this knowledge you will better be able to decide what your next step is going to be in your fertility journey.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 7th, 2006 at 2:56 am and is filed under Fertility. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.