Endometriosis Specialist

Approximately 10% of American women of reproductive age have endometriosis, which can interfere with fertility. If you have abnormal periods and chronic pelvic pain, contact Conceive Fertility Center in Irving, Texas, to find out what’s causing your symptoms and have a fertility assessment if necessary. Call Conceive Fertility Center or schedule a consultation online today.

Endometriosis Q &A

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial cells, which normally line the uterine cavity, grow outside the uterus. Endometriosis often affects your:

  • Ovaries
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Pelvic floor muscles
  • Bladder

Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of endometriosis; however, if you have a family history of the disease, your chances of having endometriosis increase. Your hormones may also contribute to endometriosis. It’s also possible that a malfunction in your immune system prevents your body from recognizing and attacking endometrial tissue that forms outside of your uterus.

What are the signs of endometriosis?

Pain and abnormal periods are the two most common symptoms of endometriosis. For example, your periods might be irregular, heavy, and painful. Additionally, endometriosis causes:

  • Pain in the pelvic region and low back
  • Painful sex
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Digestive problems including bloating, diarrhea, and constipation

If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to a gynecologist or women’s health expert. When left untreated, endometriosis can cause fertility problems.

How does endometriosis affect my fertility?

When endometrium forms outside of your uterus, it wants to follow the same cycle that it would follow in your womb. However, when the time comes for your endometrium to shed, the tissue on your other pelvic organs has nowhere to go. As a result, scar tissue, cysts, and adhesions can form.

If you have scar tissue on your ovaries or fallopian tubes, it can prevent ovulation or stop your egg from reaching your uterus.

How is endometriosis treated to improve fertility?

Treatment for endometriosis begins with diagnosis. Your doctor provides a pelvic exam to feel for abnormalities, including cysts or scar tissue. They may also use imaging tests like ultrasounds and MRIs to visualize your pelvic organs and look for signs of endometriosis. In some cases, your doctor may need to perform minimally invasive laparoscopy to examine your pelvic organs in more detail to confirm your diagnosis.

There’s no cure for endometriosis, but hormonal contraceptives, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH), and progestin therapy can reduce your symptoms. In some cases, a surgical procedure can remove the endometrium from your pelvic organs. If you’re planning on having children, your doctor can recommend specific treatments like GnRH) and surgeries to remove scar tissue and endometrium from your reproductive organs.

If endometriosis has damaged your ovaries or fallopian tubes and is causing infertility, Conceive Fertility Clinic offer treatments including in vitro fertilization and egg donation to help you conceive.

If you have endometriosis and are concerned about your fertility, call Conceive Fertility Clinic or make an appointment online today for fertility testing and customized treatments to help you get pregnant.

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