Some women dream about becoming a mother from a young age – planning, dreaming, and envisioning what their life will be like with a precious little gift. As we know, life does not always work out in our favor. Imagine the heartbreak and agony a woman faces after receiving an endometriosis diagnosis or the thoughts that run through her mind: Will I ever get pregnant? Can I get pregnant naturally? What if I cannot have kids? Endometriosis’s side effects on fertility can cause concern for women with the disease.
Endometriosis the Disease
Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects a woman’s entire body; one can define endometriosis as when endometrial-like tissue that grows inside the uterus grows outside the uterus.
Every month during menstruation, the endometrial-like tissue responds like the endometrium and cramps to shed. The previously mentioned is why pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis.
Furthermore, the tissue has no way to escape the body. It leads to scarring and lesion development in the areas where the tissue is present.
Endometriosis Progression
Endometriosis is a progressive disease classified into four stages (I-minimal, II-mild, III-moderate, and IV-severe) depending on the endometriosis implants’ location, extent, and depth.
Stage one is defined when minimal tissue is present throughout the pelvic region. Scarring is also minimal at this stage.
In stage two, or mild endometriosis – more lesions and scar tissue are present, and the tissue is more profound than at stage one.
Stage three endometriosis happens when more endometrial lesions are present throughout the pelvic cavity. At this stage, scar tissue appears. Cysts are also present.
In stage four, severe endometriosis, lesions are present throughout the pelvic area. These lesions are deep, and scar tissue is profound. Organs can even be bound together, causing adhesions.
Although endometriosis can transition into different stages, it does not always happen. Moreover, the stage of endometriosis does not correlate with symptoms or pain of the disease.
Endometriosis Side Effects and Fertility
About 25 to 50% of infertile women have endometriosis, and 30 to 50% of women with endometriosis are infertile. Several factors can contribute to fertility issues in women with endometriosis. For example, endometrial tissue implants around the ovaries or fallopian tubes can cause inflammation and scar tissue. This inflammation and scar tissue can make it difficult for an egg to be released.
Additionally, some women with endometriosis can have cysts that come back. If cyst removal happens repeatedly, this can cause a loss of eggs from the ovaries and make it harder to become pregnant. The surgical removal of these cysts can cause scar tissue, decreasing pregnancy likelihood.
Furthermore, endometriosis has been shown to alter a woman’s immune system, change the hormonal environment around the eggs, inhibit the implantation of an embryo, and decrease the quality of the eggs.
Endometriosis’ side effects on fertility not only can be physical, but they’re emotional and mental too.
Faith, Patience, and Acceptance
Although it may be difficult to become pregnant with an endometriosis diagnosis – all hope is not gone. Many women with endometriosis become pregnant naturally.
If you or someone you know has endometriosis and is struggling with endometriosis side effects on fertility, please visit the Black Women Feel Pain Too support group on Facebook. Here, you will find women of all ages who can relate to you. Help and support you during your journey—tips and recommendations on how to cope with this painful disease.
Kelsea