I Have Endometriosis: Can I Still Get Pregnant?

impact fertility. At Luxe Women’s Health, Jennifer Wright-Bennion, CNM, APRN, offers gynecology services and fertility support to treat endometriosis and help you overcome infertility issues.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, an opportunity for women to learn more about this condition, what symptoms to look for, and potential treatment options they can discuss with their healthcare providers.

Jennifer leads our team in Queen Creek, Arizona, and is passionate about helping women optimize their health. She understands your concerns about endometriosis and your desire to have a baby, and she has years of experience supporting women with the condition. 

Understanding endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition characterized by uterine tissue growing outside the uterus—typically on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or the tissue lining the pelvis. This causes inflammation and scarring, often making it harder for an egg and sperm to connect and fertilize.

Some of the telltale symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Painful periods
• Excessive bleeding during your period
• Painful intercourse

Another sign that you may have the condition is discomfort when you have a bowel movement or urinate.

Here’s how endometriosis can impact your fertility

Having endometriosis doesn’t automatically mean you’re infertile or can’t get pregnant. If you have mild to moderate endometriosis, you may be able to conceive naturally, but it may take longer than expected. If severe, though, endometriosis can impair your reproductive organs and impact your fertility more significantly, making it harder to conceive.

Consider these lifestyle adjustments

You can focus on many lifestyle changes to improve your reproductive health and fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking can all improve your ability to conceive. Jennifer also talks to you about minimizing stress and caring for your emotions and mental health.

Turn to medical treatment options

The first thing Jennifer recommends is that you begin tracking your ovulation cycle to ensure you’re timing sex during your most fertile days. You can use an app, an ovulation predictor kit, or monitor your basal body temperature. If you don’t conceive after trying for several months, Jennifer works with you to explore fertility options.

Laparoscopic surgery is one option. It’s a minimally invasive procedure to remove endometrial tissue that’s growing anywhere other than your uterus. Laparoscopic surgery clears blockages and improves damage in your fallopian tubes and ovaries to increase your chances of getting pregnant. 

Depending on your unique situation and how severely your ovaries and fallopian tubes are affected, Jennifer may also recommend reproductive technologies like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). If you’re dealing with a lot of pain, she’ll prescribe medications to help you reclaim your quality of life.

Most importantly, don’t lose hope. Jennifer offers compassionate and comprehensive care to help you reach your desire to conceive and have a baby successfully.

Call today to schedule a consultation at Luxe Women’s Health, or use the online scheduling option.