About 1 to 10 women experience endometriosis worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that 25 to 50% of women with endometriosis may struggle with infertility. This happens when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, resulting in blocked fallopian tubes, poor egg quality, and failed embryo implantation.

Many women only find out they have this condition when they are unable to conceive or after getting a formal diagnosis. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) offers an effective approach in bypassing complications associated with endometriosis-related infertility so patients can achieve successful pregnancy.

Before undergoing treatment, understanding how endometriosis affects your fertility is highly critical for optimizing your chances of conception. Let’s explore how IVF helps with the condition, so you can prepare better for your fertility treatment.

What is Endometriosis and its Symptoms?

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus or in areas of the body where it does not belong. It is commonly found in the abdomen or other parts of the pelvis, such as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Since the tissue is outside the uterus, the endometrium cannot shed during a regular menstrual cycle. This leads to inflammation, scar tissue, and painful cysts.

When diagnosing endometriosis, doctors often look for the following symptoms:

Severe menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea
Painful urination or bowel movements during menstruation
Chronic pelvic pain that may occur outside the regular menstrual cycle
Pain during or after intercourse
Fatigue, nausea, and bloating
Infertility

Often, these symptoms vary for women and can be mistaken for other health issues. We recommend consulting your doctor early to manage severe pain and prevent its progression.

How does Endometriosis affect your Fertility?

For women with a healthy menstrual cycle, endometrial tissue is released when the period begins. Unlike in women with endometriosis, the endometrial tissue becomes displaced and fails to leave the body. This results in the following challenges:

Chronic inflammation that may hinder the egg from fertilizing with the sperm
Unreceptive endometrium that leads to failed implantation or early pregnancy loss
Development of ovarian cysts (endometriomas) that decreases ovarian reserve

Although conception is not impossible, some women may find it harder to get pregnant naturally. Such a condition requires a personalized IVF treatment plan depending on its severity.

How can IVF Treatment help?

IVF treatment can help overcome blocked fallopian tubes, distorted pelvic anatomy, and diminished ovarian reserve by fertilizing the eggs in a controlled laboratory setting instead of inside the body.

The treatment involves ovarian stimulation to produce multiple mature eggs. Once the eggs are collected, they are fertilized with the sperm in a lab. This minimizes the risk of egg or sperm damage brought by endometriosis.

After fertilization, selected viable embryos will be transferred to the uterus. Embryo transfer bypasses the blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, where endometriosis commonly develops.

Many patients achieve a successful pregnancy through this treatment. However, it is important to note that IVF does not cure endometriosis but rather improves your chances of pregnancy.

How does IVF Process work with Endometriosis?

If you have moderate to severe endometriosis, our fertility specialists may require you to take additional medicine or treatment before we conduct the final procedures.

The IVF process includes:

Ovarian Stimulation: You will be given a series of fertility medicines to trigger the production of multiple mature eggs rather than a single egg.
Egg Retrieval: We will schedule a more comfortable way to collect the mature eggs to protect your chances of pregnancy against decreasing ovarian reserve.
Fertilization: Since the fertilization happens in a lab, a healthy embryo can develop before endometriosis causes significant damage to the ovaries.
Embryo Transfer: Transferring a frozen embryo can improve live birth and decrease the chances of miscarriage in patients with endometriosis.

To improve IVF outcomes with endometriosis, we will provide you with personalized stimulation protocols to manage the complexity of your case.

How Successful is IVF with Endometriosis?

A study from the Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has shown that patients with minimal to mild endometriosis have about 60% pregnancy success rate, while those with advanced stages of endometriosis have a lower pregnancy rate.

The good news is that patients with advanced endometriosis were able to achieve a 21% live birth rate.

Although IVF outcomes are heavily influenced by different stages of endometriosis, it still yields better results than natural conception when addressing ovarian reserve complications.

Navigating IVF Treatment for Endometriosis

If you have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success because of endometriosis, it is time to discuss your concerns with our fertility specialists.

At Fertility Philippines, we understand the challenges that come with endometriosis. We are here to create a treatment plan that meets your needs, so you can still achieve your dream of parenthood despite the complications and failed attempts you’ve encountered in the past.

To begin your fertility journey, contact us today.

Disclaimer: This blog does not intend to represent any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalized recommendations, consult with your personal doctor. Any information herein does not replace the expertise determined by a physician.