Can You Get Pregnant With Endometriosis? We Can Help
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When some patients hear that they have endometriosis, they are devastated. Many think that this diagnosis means they’ll never get pregnant.
They wanted a family–someone they could love throughout their lives. Someone who would grow and explore all the world has to offer. Someone to hold close to their heart and share the joy of simply falling asleep on their shoulder.
After all, there are very few things that are as precious as a baby’s first words or witnessing those first tiny steps.
And those with endometriosis are afraid that this is a joy that is out of their reach. Unattainable.
But we have some good news.
These patients wonder can you get pregnant with endometriosis? and the good news is that you can, although you may have to be monitored closely.
At Associates in Women’s Healthcare, our focus is patient-centered, evidence-directed, quality care. We care for our patients the way we would want our mothers and daughters to be treated. With a convenient location, we’ve created a homelike environment that provides relief from navigating parking decks and busy hospital campus traffic.
Most importantly, our physicians are easily accessible–we will always take time to speak with you and answer any questions you have. Most patients are able to get an appointment with us within two weeks.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to talk about endometriosis or any other issues, please contact us.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what endometriosis is, how it affects pregnancy, and how it is treated.
Can You Get Pregnant With Endometriosis? Just the Facts
Is It Possible to Conceive With Endometriosis?
We’ve been asked this question many times by anxious patients who are holding out hope for a tiny spark of joy to light their lives. The short answer is yes, it is possible to conceive, but the issue needs further discussion.
Endometriosis does cause an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including placental abruption. This occurs when your placenta comes detached from your uterus before your baby is born.
Other risks associated with endometriosis include:
Can You Ovulate With Endometriosis?
We understand that our patients who are trying to conceive may be tracking their ovulation closely, hoping they will be able to target their sexual activity within the fertile window. This greatly increases your chances of getting pregnant. Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?
While you can ovulate with endometriosis, the condition makes conception much more difficult.
If the endometrial tissue is around the ovaries or fallopian tubes, it can cause inflammation and scarring. It can also change the hormonal environment for the eggs and affect their quality. It’s also much more difficult for an embryo to implant on to the uterus when you have endometriosis.
How Long, On Average, Does It Take to Get Pregnant With Endometriosis?
The key to this is to have effective treatment before trying to get pregnant. For example, in one study, 29% of women who had endometriosis treated were pregnant within nine months.
In addition, after laparoscopic treatment for mild endometriosis (we’ll review that type of treatment later in this article), almost half of women conceived within eight to nine months, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
However, the answer to can you get pregnant with endometriosis? largely hinges upon what stage the disease is at when you’re trying to conceive.
What Are the Stages of Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is classified into four stages, with one being minimal and four being severe. The disease is staged based upon where it is located and how far it has spread.
In the earlier stages, there are only mild adhesions, whereas more severe stages may feature cysts, widespread scar tissue and even more severe adhesions.
Can You Still Get Pregnant With Stage 4 Endometriosis?
Often the question is not can you get pregnant with endometriosis? But can you get pregnant when the disease has progressed to stage four? During the later stages, it is much more difficult to conceive naturally. If you’re in stage four, in-vitro fertilization is a viable option.
What Is Endometriosis and How Does it Affect Fertility?
Of course, period cramps are always terrible, but for some of our patients, using a hot water bottle or taking medication brings minimal relief.
Instead, they may have to rearrange their entire schedules, cancel aerobics class, and feel less than their best when gearing up to tackle that company presentation or meet someone for lunch.
Severe menstrual cramps are often a sign of endometriosis.
During endometriosis, the uterine lining, called the endometrium, is outside the uterus, frequently appearing on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or bladder. This makes it difficult or impossible for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterine lining.
While many women with mild cases of endometriosis can still go on to get pregnant without assistance, others may need in vitro fertilization.
How Is Endometriosis Treated?
There are many therapies that are used for treating endometriosis, from birth control pills to those that lower the level of estrogen in your body.
However, if you’re hoping to become pregnant, many of these are not a viable option for you.
Instead, surgical intervention may be appropriate. Through a laparoscopic, minimally invasive procedure, your OBGYN in Raleigh utilizes small surgical instruments through a series of tiny cuts. These remove endometrial tissue.
Can You Get Pregnant With Endometriosis? It’s Possible With Help From Our Team at Associate’s in Women’s Healthcare
We understand. Every time you take a pregnancy test, you hold your breath. A million scenarios run through your mind. Do you even dare hope that this time, you’ll receive the news you’ve been waiting for? Or do you dwell in the fear that this will be another dream unfulfilled?
We’ve seen our patients with endometriosis emerge triumphant to have healthy (and absolutely adorable!) babies. We want that type of joy for all our patients who want to conceive.
Endometriosis creates extensive challenges, and we’re here to help you meet them. We’ll discuss your situation and provide the individualized approach to quality medicine that you’ve come to expect from us. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us today.
Key Takeaways: Can You Get Pregnant With Endometriosis?
- Endometriosis occurs when the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. It is a main cause of infertility.
- Endometriosis can make it difficult to get pregnant, but conception is still possible, depending upon what stage the disease is in.
- If you have endometriosis and you are pregnant, we’ll need to closely monitor you to avoid complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and premature birth.
- Endometriosis is treated through medicines, but often laparoscopic surgery may be the best treatment option for those trying to conceive.
