What is the Connection Between Endometriosis and Infertility?

The connection between endometriosis and infertility is one that the medical community has had difficulty understanding. What is known is that although endometriosis can lead to difficulty conceiving, infertility is not inevitable in individuals with the condition. There is a correlation between difficulty conceiving and endometriosis, though not everyone with evidence of endometriosis will experience this difficulty. Although endometriosis might be one of the causes of infertility, it is not the only link.

Endometriosis is a medical condition in which endometrial-like cells grow outside of the uterine cavity in areas where they should not normally appear. The most common location for endometriosis is on the ovaries. These endometrial-like cells are influenced by changes in hormones just as the uterine wall's endometrial cells are, and symptoms often become worse during the menstrual cycle.

This endometrial tissue performs the same function as the tissue within the uterine cavity, which means that it thickens during the menstrual cycle and then falls away. The body is not expecting endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity, so complications can occur when the tissue is shed. The connection between endometriosis and infertility is one such complication, along with pain and bleeding.

There is a generalization that women with endometriosis often have difficulty becoming pregnant because of their condition. This might be because women who have difficulty conceiving are more likely to search for a diagnosis than those who do not. Many women have endometriosis and do not become aware of it until they are trying to conceive a child.

Studies have shown that women who suffer from minimal to mild endometriosis might require more time to conceive a child and might be less likely overall to conceive, compared to women who do not suffer from endometriosis. Endometriosis does not mean, however, that a woman is infertile or will have great difficulty conceiving. Typically, women who are experiencing infertility consult their gynecologist in search of answers, and this is when the signs of endometriosis are discovered. The connection between endometriosis and infertility, then, is not always understood. Additionally, women who have moderate to severe endometriosis might experience greater difficulty in conceiving than women who have minimal to mild endometriosis.

The connection between endometriosis and infertility means that a woman with endometriosis might experience greater difficulty conceiving a child. This does not mean that a woman with endometriosis automatically will not be able to conceive. Some women who suffer from endometriosis on or around their ovaries do not experience difficulty conceiving. Women who are having difficulty conceiving or experiencing signs of infertility should explore all possibilities, including endometriosis, when trying to find a reason for the difficulties with the assistance of an infertility specialist.