Endometriosis is a common medical condition in women of childbearing age. While it can lead to infertility, some women with the condition do get pregnant and have a family. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, learn what your treatment options are and how we can help you at The Ob-Gyn Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue from the endometrium, or the lining of your uterus, grows outside your uterus. This tissue can be found on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer wall of the uterus, or on other organs like your bladder or intestines. Each month, as your body prepares for a possible pregnancy, this endometrial tissue thickens. That means all that extra tissue in areas where it doesn’t belong also thickens. It can be painful and cause scar tissue to form.
How does it cause infertility?
According to the National Infertility Association, about 40 percent of women with endometriosis will have some level of infertility. While some women have severe pain with this condition, others don’t even realize they have endometriosis until they have trouble conceiving and start undergoing tests.
No one knows for sure how endometriosis causes infertility, but there are some prevailing theories:
- Scar tissue blocks the ovaries, so eggs aren’t released
- Cysts form on the ovaries, affecting their ability to release eggs
- Endometrial tissue blocks the fallopian tubes, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg
- Inflammation causes an inhospitable environment for the sperm or eggs
Women with endometriosis are at also risk for ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg stays in the fallopian tubes instead of implanting in the uterus. As the embryo grows, it can cause debilitating pain and may damage the fallopian tube, making it harder to get pregnant in the future.
What are my treatment options?
Women who don’t want children or those who are done having children may opt for a hysterectomy—surgical removal of the uterus. But, if you’re hoping to get pregnant someday, there are treatment options that may help:
- Medications to reduce pain and inflammation
- Ablation—a surgical procedure that removes the excess endometrial tissue
- Watch and wait—some women end up getting pregnant naturally
If these methods don’t help, we’ll refer you to a fertility specialist who may recommend in vitro fertilization. Every woman is different, so there’s no way to predict your outcome.
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, or if you think you have it, make an appointment with one of our skilled and caring doctors at the Ob-Gyn Center in Las Vegas today. Call us at 702-342-0208 or use our convenient online booking tool.