| Endometriosis and infertility are likely linked, though | | | | endometrial tissue. For women with endometriosis |
| how is not presently known. Regardless, women who | | | | who are also having trouble getting pregnant, |
| have endometriosis often have difficulty conceiving | | | | laparoscopic surgery to remove obstructive lesions of |
| and women who are infertile often have | | | | endometrial tissue is often necessary. |
| endometriosis. For this reason, it's important to | | | | Laparoscopic surgery is done by making a small |
| understand what endometriosis is so that you can | | | | incision in the abdomen, through which the doctor |
| determine as early as possible whether you might | | | | then inserts a laparoscope to see the internal organs. |
| have this condition. It is a common condition and | | | | Carbon dioxide is pumped into the incision to blow up |
| often "runs in the family." | | | | the abdomen so there is room for tools without risk |
| What is Endometriosis? | | | | to the internal organs. Then either through the same |
| Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrium | | | | incision, or through another small incision, the doctor |
| (the tissue that behaves like the cells lining the | | | | inserts a laser cutter or electrosurgical needle to |
| uterus) grows in areas of the body outside the | | | | destroy or remove all of the endometrial and scar |
| uterus. This tissue growth can occur anywhere on | | | | tissue. General anesthesia is administered. There are |
| the body, but is most commonly found in the pelvic | | | | risks and side effects associated with the surgery, |
| area, outside of the uterus, and on the ovaries. This | | | | but they are rare. The surgery is often referred to |
| implanted endometrial tissue is known to cause pain, | | | | as "band-aid surgery" because the incisions are so |
| irregular bleeding, and possibly infertility. | | | | small. |
| What are the Typical Treatments? | | | | Conclusion |
| Medications can be administered to control pain or to | | | | Endometriosis may result in infertility, but not in every |
| prevent the endometriosis from getting worse. | | | | patient. It greatly depends on the severity of the |
| Hormonal therapies, which are typically injectable | | | | endometriosis. Laparoscopic surgery may help |
| medications, are designed to temper estrogen | | | | improve fertility. However, it is important to |
| production in a woman's body which should relieve | | | | remember that having endometriosis does not mean |
| her of symptoms. There are many different types of | | | | that you will not have children. It may mean you will |
| hormonal therapies. These treatments cannot | | | | have more difficulty. Endometriosis and infertility may |
| reverse any damage that has been done or get rid | | | | be linked, but they are not one and the same, and |
| of any tissue that has already implanted. They simply | | | | having one condition does not mean you have the |
| try to relieve some of the symptoms or stop the | | | | other. Some patients with endometriosis have no |
| endometriosis from getting worse. Surgery is the | | | | problem getting pregnant at all. |
| only way to actually get rid of the areas of | | | | |