Endometriosis and fertility - 50% of women with infertility have endometriosis

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and the theme this year is ‘Endometriosis Explained', exploring how endometriosis could be better understood by the public and how it is explained to patients by all healthcare practitioners. At Complete Fertility, we understand and regularly treat women with endometriosis. Fundamentally, no two endometriosis patients are the same and they require a bespoke plan and care.

Polly Ford Consultant Gynaecologist and Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Complete Fertility explains more:

“We have the expertise to provide individualised treatments with initial investigations to identify how a patient’s endometriosis is affecting their fertility. We have exceptionally close working relationships with the University Hospital and endometriosis centre allowing us to offer patients keyhole surgery to investigate and treat endometriosis, maximising fertility for both a natural pregnancy and IVF.”

Facts about endometriosis

• Up to 50% of women with infertility have endometriosis.
• 1 in 10 women are affected by endometriosis.
• Symptoms may include pain during sex, painful periods, difficulty getting pregnant or no symptoms at all.
• Many women may be undiagnosed with the average time to diagnosis being over 8 years.

Facts & Figures | The Endo Foundation

Ways endometriosis affects fertility:

• Ovarian cysts – stopping the egg being released
• Blocked tubes – stopping the egg and sperm meeting
• Pain during sex – preventing even trying for a baby
• Lower egg quality

How can I find out if I have endometriosis?

Ways that you can investigate your fertility and potential endometriosis include:

• See a doctor to review your symptoms.
• Ultrasound scan.
• Check ovarian reserve.
• Keyhole surgery may be necessary to rule out endometriosis or to treat the condition