Around ten to 15 percent of all women of childbearing age are affected by endometriosis. Many of them without even knowing it. Of these, around 50 percent are considered infertile. This raises the question for many sufferers: Is it possible to reconcile endometriosis and the desire to have children? Can I get pregnant despite endometriosis and what are the risks? Can endometriosis endanger the unborn baby? We have summarized all the information on this complex topic for you in this article.
Why women with endometriosis and a desire to have children are less likely to get pregnant naturally
It is a sensitive and quite painful topic: infertility with endometriosis. The disease can indeed be a possible reason for involuntary childlessness. However, the path to a diagnosis of endometriosis alone can be long and difficult for many women. A path characterized by pain, diagnostics, examinations and therapies that are often not related to endometriosis because the actual disease remains unrecognized for a long time. It is not uncommon for affected women to simply not know that they are suffering from endometriosis. Period pains, pain during intercourse and ovulation are considered normal until an unfulfilled desire to have children arises - and research into the cause reveals endometriosis.
Fertility problems in combination with endometriosis
In endometriosis, benign growths, known as endometriosis lesions, settle outside the uterus. They resemble the lining of the uterus, but not only cause severe cramps and abdominal pain outside of menstruation, but also lead to listlessness and pain during sexual intercourse. The adhesions and adhesions can also mechanically prevent ovulation if they are located on the ovaries, for example. If ovulation occurs anyway, the egg may not be able to be transported or fertilized due to an adhesion in the fallopian tubes. This is one of the most common reasons for an unfulfilled desire to have children with endometriosis.
Other causes of infertility due to endometriosis can be
- Cycle disorders as well as disorders of egg maturation and ovulation
- Scarring in the fallopian tubes or ovaries
- Toxic influence on sperm and eggs
- impaired sperm transport
- Impairment of the embryo
- Endocrine disorders that reduce the quality of ovulation
- Reactions of the immune system and thus influence on hormones and fertility
In summary, it can therefore be said that The complex chemical processes of fertilization are brought into imbalance by the disease. And even diagnosed endometriosis that does not cause any discomfort or pain may be associated with infertility. This is why women who suffer from endometriosis unfortunately have little chance of a natural pregnancy.
Pregnancy with endometriosis - is it even possible?
If you suffer from endometriosis and want to have children at the same time, your path to pregnancy may be more difficult - but there are ways and options for treatment. In many cases, the wish for a baby can be fulfilled despite the disease. We have summarized some examples of the methods and therapies available to help endometriosis patients get pregnant:
#1: Surgical removal of the endometriosis lesions
First and foremost, the growths on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus and/or abdominal wall need to be removed as completely as possible. This significantly increases the chances of a spontaneous pregnancy. First, a laparoscopy is performed and a small incision is made in the abdominal wall. The surgeon then inserts a thin tube, known as an endoscope, with a camera and light source into the abdominal cavity. With the help of precise surgical instruments, endometriosis lesions and cysts can be localized and removed. Pregnancy despite endometriosis depends largely on how successful this procedure is and how advanced the growths in the abdominal cavity and uterine wall are.
#2: Artificial insemination
Unfortunately, there are women with severe endometriosis in whom the growths form again after an operation. This is known as recurrent endometriosis (relapse = recurrence). If endometriosis recurs, further surgical interventions to improve fertility are usually not recommended - especially after several interventions, in the case of prolonged sterility or if the woman is over 35 years old. Instead, most experts recommend artificial insemination, also known as in vitro fertilization (IVF), in such cases.
This is usually more likely to fulfill the desire to have children than further surgery. Studies have shown that women with endometriosis have a good chance of becoming pregnant with in vitro fertilization . However, it always makes sense to visit the fertility clinic as early as possible, as success usually depends on the age of the patient and the duration of the disease.
By the way: Under certain conditions, there is the possibility of financial support for IVF in Germany. Certain methods are subsidized by the IVF fund. The best way to find out more is to take a look at the brochures from the Ministry of Health.
Is drug treatment useful for endometriosis?
In women who do not wish to have children, endometriosis is usually treated with hormone preparations. For example, progestins or analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) are administered. These reduce the proliferation of endometriosis lesions and also reduce the pain.
Many women with endometriosis who wish to have children wonder whether this hormonal treatment also has a positive effect on fertility. In fact, the opposite is the case: although the endometriosis lesions are calmed by taking the medication, the hormones can also suppress the function of the ovaries. Fertility is therefore significantly reduced. For this reason, medication is not advisable in the treatment of endometriosis if you wish to have children.
How does endometriosis affect pregnancy?
If the egg is fertilized, many women with endometriosis are worried about serious complications during pregnancy. And yes: the disease can have a negative effect on the course of the pregnancy - but it doesn't have to! Complications can occur, such as ectopic pregnancies, misplacement of the placenta, ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages.
We know how scary that sounds, but we can also reassure you. It doesn't have to happen. The vast majority of pregnancies in women with endometriosis are free of complications. The only important thing is that you are closely monitored by your midwife or gynecologist and attend regular check-ups. This will allow them to react in good time in an emergency.
Endometriosis and the desire to have children are not mutually exclusive. Nevertheless, women with endometriosis unfortunately have a lower chance of spontaneous pregnancy. This is due to the diverse effects of endometriosis on fertility and health: inflammatory reactions, cycle disorders, toxic influence on sperm and egg, but also mechanical disorders of the ovaries and fallopian tubes play a role here. However, fertility in endometriosis can be promoted - for example by surgically removing the adhesions. Alternatively, fertility treatment can be the path to pregnancy. So if you have endometriosis and want to have children, it is definitely advisable to make an appointment with your partner at a fertility clinic.
Because many women before you have already proven it: Endometriosis and the desire to have children are not mutually exclusive. And an uncomplicated and beautiful pregnancy is also possible.
