Trying to conceive with endometriosis can be extremely difficult, depending on the severity of the condition. Endometriosis is a debilitating condition where the tissue lining the inside of the uterus, known as the endometrium, grows outside the uterus, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining. This condition can cause severe pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility. In fact, up to 50% of women with endometriosis struggle with fertility. If you’re struggling with endometriosis, it can be hard to conceive, since these growths block the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg.
If you are suffering from endometriosis and trying to conceive, here are some things you need to know.
Consult with a healthcare provider
It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider with experience treating endometriosis, especially when trying to conceive. Your healthcare provider can help you understand the condition and recommend the best treatment options.
Treatment for endometriosis can be highly individualized, depending on a few factors like:
- Your age
- How severe your symptoms are
- How severe the disease is
- Whether you want children
There are several treatment options available for endometriosis, including medication, surgery, and alternative therapies. Medication can help manage pain and reduce inflammation, while surgery can remove endometrial tissue and improve fertility.
Track your ovulation
Tracking your ovulation is essential when trying to conceive, especially when you have endometriosis. Knowing when you are ovulating can help you time your sexual activity to increase the chances of conception.
There are several ways to track ovulation, including using ovulation predictor kits, charting your basal body temperature, and monitoring your cervical mucus. Your healthcare provider can also recommend the best method for you.
Consider assisted reproductive technology
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a range of fertility treatments that can help couples with infertility, especially when associated with endometriosis. ART includes treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
IVF is often the most effective treatment for couples with endometriosis-related infertility. In IVF, the eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus. IUI involves placing sperm directly into the uterus to increase the chances of fertilization. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm into an egg to fertilize it.
IVF can be expensive, and it may not be covered by insurance. However, many clinics offer financing options to help make the treatment more affordable. Want to know more? Speak to a medical professional through the Zoie app right here.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential when trying to conceive, especially when you have endometriosis. Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can all help improve fertility.
Studies have shown that women who follow a Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, have a higher chance of conceiving than those who do not. Getting enough sleep and managing stress can also help improve fertility by reducing inflammation and balancing hormones.
Consider alternative therapies
Alternative treatments like acupuncture, yoga, and making changes to your diet may also help relieve symptoms and boost fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation and improve fertility in women with endometriosis.
Yoga can help reduce stress and improve circulation, which can help reduce pain and improve fertility. Some dietary changes, such as increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids and reducing your intake of red meat and dairy, may also help improve fertility.
