Answering the commonly asked question: Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?
In the United States, it is estimated that more than 11% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 suffer from endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that belongs in the uterus, is found growing outside of the uterus. The condition leads many women to ask, “Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?”
At Dr. Lona Sasser Obstetrics and Gynecology, we know that living with endometriosis can be incredibly painful and frustrating as there is not yet a known cure. However, we have worked with many women in the Coral Springs, Florida area to offer them symptom-relief, advice, and help them navigate pregnancy.
If you have, or believe you may have, endometriosis and are thinking about trying to get pregnant, schedule an appointment with one of our trusted health providers: 954-340-1050.
How endometriosis affects the body
Endometriosis affects each person differently in terms of symptoms. Common symptoms can be but are not limited to:
- Painful sex, menstrual cycles, chronic back and pelvic pain
- Digestive issues, especially during menstrual cycles
- Bleeding and/or spotting between menstrual cycles
- Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant.
Before you get too concerned about the last symptom, it’s important to understand this in a bit more detail. Can you get pregnant with endometriosis? To answer that we have to look at how endometriosis affects the reproductive system.
Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “inflammation from endometriosis may damage the sperm or egg or interfere with their movement through the fallopian tubes and uterus. In severe cases of endometriosis, the fallopian tubes may be blocked by adhesions or scar tissue.” And while about 40% of women who suffer from infertility have endometriosis, having it doesn’t guarantee infertility.
So, can you get pregnant with endometriosis? Yes, you can. However, there may be some complications involved. Reproductive endocrinologist, Marjan Attaran, MD explains that you can get pregnant with endometriosis. However, while some women are still able to get pregnant without having to take other measures, others may need surgery or in-vitro fertilization to help.
And while it’s believed that pregnant women who also suffer from endometriosis are possibly at risk for complications, Dr. Attaran has said that “[her] patients with endometriosis don’t seem to have significantly higher rate of difficulties with their pregnancies. Most of them do very well.”
Speak to a trusted healthcare provider
Endometriosis is, ultimately, a complicated condition that can affect each person very differently. If you have pain from the condition and want to know if you can get pregnant with endometriosis, the best idea is to speak to a doctor that will be able to assess your specific case.
And while searching the web about the question, “Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?” can offer you some insight about the basic information, it is never as good as speaking to a healthcare professional.
If you live in the Coral Springs area and need support in your pregnancy journey, schedule an appointment with Dr. Lona Sasser Obstetrics and Gynecology today: 954-340-1050.
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