Understanding Endometriosis and How It Impacts Fertility

Overcoming the common fertility challenge of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common health problem associated with female infertility. It shows up in our North Louisiana fertility patients when tissue (the endometrium) normally lining the inside of the uterus is mislocated and grows outside of it.

Pain emerges with monthly hormonal changes that can trigger the tissue to bleed, just as the lining of the uterus would with each menstrual cycle. Blood cannot exit the body because the tissue is not where it belongs, and painful cramping can result. Some women also experience pain in their pelvic or lower back area, discomfort during or after sex, or pain when using the bathroom.

This condition be difficult to pinpoint because symptoms are quite individual, and some women with a serious diagnosis do not exhibit pain. In other women, debilitating pain might accompany a less severe diagnosis.

Fortunately, ArkLaTex Fertility’s fertility expert, Dr. David T. Vandermolen, accurately diagnoses and treats this chronic disease and guides patients through their fertility treatment options.

Understanding endometriosis and its impact on female infertility

If you receive a diagnosis of endometriosis, you’re not alone. About 10% of reproductive-age women in the United States have this disease, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

This inflammatory condition alone does not necessarily cause female infertility, but it means that you might have a more difficult time getting pregnant. Endometrial tissue commonly lands on locations such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissue lining the pelvis. Over time, this progressive disease associated with female infertility can complicate conception for many reasons.

  • Inflammation can build up, and the body responds by producing scar tissue, which can block the fallopian tubes.
  • Women may experience decreased ovarian reserve or impaired egg development, or develop ovarian cysts.
  • Hormonal imbalances can disrupt ovulation.
  • Changes in the uterine lining may mean a less-receptive environment for embryo implantation.

We have options for customized treatment

The path forward for our North Louisiana fertility patients with this medical condition is based on many factors, including a woman’s age, severity of diagnosis and future family-building plans.

  • Pain medications, such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve, can be an initial treatment option.
  • Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills, can balance hormones and reduce symptoms. However, this is only a viable option for women wanting to delay starting a family.
  • ArkLaTex Fertility relies on laparoscopic surgery to definitively diagnose endometriosis and remove areas of concern that could cause female infertility. This minimally invasive procedure requires one or more tiny incisions in your belly.
  • Fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) can overcome this disease and effectively put patients on the path to parenthood.

We understand endometriosis can be physically and emotionally taxing. This complex disease doesn’t always correlate with symptoms, and it can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life and fertility. Contact us to learn how we diagnose and treat North Louisiana fertility patients and provide support to achieve your family-building dreams.