Endometriosis Infertility: What is it?
What is Endometriosis Infertility?
Endometriosis is a disorder which affects the way the uterine tissue thickens during the menstrual cycle. Many women are affected by this disorder though a small fraction of them are actually rendered infertile by it. The disorder is treatable but, in some cases, the infertility that results from it may result in the need for IVF for a couple to successfully conceive. This disorder can be present throughout life and it tends to worsen over time. There are symptoms of this disorder that are generally apparent before infertility leads one to believe they may suffer from endometriosis.
Endometriosis infertility generally results when the woman’s fallopian tubes or ovaries become blocked by the scar tissue that results from this disease. The characteristic element of the disorder is that the uterine tissue tends to thicken on the outside of the uterus rather than on the inside. Over time, this can result in a buildup of scar tissue that causes the blockage of the reproductive system and the formation of cysts that can make it impossible for a woman to become pregnant. This disorder can be diagnosed and treated in various ways. In very advanced cases, it may be untreatable.
The disorder is usually diagnosed via laparoscopy once endometriosis infertility is suspected as a cause for failure to conceive. This is a surgical procedure in which a small scope is placed in the abdominal cavity which allows surgeons to get a look at what’s going on inside the woman’s body. In severe cases, this may also be the method by which surgery is performed. It allows for the removal of scar tissue and doing so may result in the woman successfully being able to conceive. In some cases, less severe methods of intervention may be adequate.
There are drug treatments that may offer some relief for those suffering endometriosis infertility. Generally, this is only promising where the disorder is relatively mild and when there isn’t a significant build-up of scar tissue or cysts. In the more advanced cases, surgery is oftentimes the only option. The warning signs for this disorder usually start to manifest as soon as the woman begins menstruating. Unfortunately, many women simply assume that the warning signs are just part of their cycle and the disorder goes untreated until it’s very advanced and IVF becomes the only option for becoming pregnant.
If a woman suffers very painful periods, it may be a sign that endometriosis fertility is a potential risk. In this disorder, the buildup of scar tissue and the fact that some of the blood generated during the period has no place to go can cause severe pain. If a woman suffers a painful period, visiting a doctor is always prudent. The causes of this disorder are poorly understood and treatment is generally the only way it can be addressed as, when the causes are not clear, prevention is not generally an option. The most important thing is to watch out for the warning signs.
