What You Should Know About Endometriosis and Infertility

North Naples Gynecology and Obstetrics Blog What You Should Know About Endometriosis and Infertility
What You Should Know About Endometriosis and Infertility

Getting pregnant and starting a family is the ultimate dream for many women. Unfortunately, endometriosis can make it harder for that dream to come true. 

Endometriosis affects millions of women, but it’s one of the most misunderstood women’s health issues. This frustrating condition causes everything from painful periods to digestive issues, and it can also cause infertility. 

If you’re struggling to conceive and have endometriosis, you might wonder if there’s a connection. In this blog, Dr. Dean Hildahl and our team at North Naples Gynecology and Obstetrics team discuss endometriosis, its effect on fertility, and what you can do about it. 

A closer look at endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue (uterus lining) grows outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other areas in the pelvic region. 

This tissue behaves like normal uterine lining — thickening, breaking down, and bleeding each month — and it can lead to inflammation, scarring, and painful adhesions. 

Endometriosis and infertility

There are a few ways endometriosis can affect your ability to conceive. 

Endometriosis creates scar tissue and adhesions that block the fallopian tubes and prevent sperm from meeting eggs. It can also interfere with ovulation, leading to irregular ovulation and poor egg quality. 

The condition can also trigger inflammation in the pelvic region, creating a hostile environment for conception, and disrupt hormone levels, which can impact implantation and early pregnancy development.

Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?

The short answer is yes, you can still get pregnant if you have endometriosis. However, it might take longer to get pregnant, and you may need medical assistance. 

Many women with mild endometriosis conceive naturally and without much difficulty. Others need fertility treatments. Your fertility plan depends largely on the severity of your case. 

If you’ve tried to conceive for more than a year (or six months if you’re 35 or older) and/or you have painful periods and other endometriosis symptoms, talk with us about treatment.

Treating endometriosis and infertility

The good news is that endometriosis is often treatable. Dr. Hildahl offers endometrial ablation, a procedure to eliminate rogue endometrial tissue. The procedure addresses heavy, painful periods and, in many cases, improves fertility. 

We can also discuss your infertility treatment options. We offer:

Lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, eating a healthy diet, and reducing inflammation, can support fertility and mitigate the impact of endometriosis. 

Endometriosis can make getting pregnant more challenging, but it doesn’t make it impossible. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, many women have successful pregnancies. 

If you’re concerned about how endometriosis might affect your family planning, don’t wait another day. We want to help make your dream a reality. Call or click today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hildahl at our Naples, Florida, office.