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Trying to Get Pregnant After Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects more than 7 million women in the United States, according to the Endometriosis Research Center. It is a condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and connects itself to other organs. Endometriosis can be mild to severe and is the leading cause of infertility. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a woman with mild endrometriosis has a 75 percent chance of getting pregnant, while a woman with severe endometriosis has a 30 percent chance. There are several options for getting pregnant after endometriosis, depending on the severity of your case.

  1. Early Diagnosis

    • If you are diagnosed with endometriosis early enough and it is a mild case, your doctor will probably suggest that you try to conceive as soon as possible. You should have unprotected intercourse for at least six months before seeking any sort of treatment or fertility assistance. If your endometriosis is caught early, you may be able to conceive before your condition gets worse. If you have tried to conceive for six or more months unsuccessfully, your doctor may recommend fertility treatment or surgery.

    Laparoscopy

    • The next option for a woman trying to get pregnant after endometriosis is a laparoscopy. In a laparoscopy, growths are removed or vaporized. This procedure is used most frequently with mild to moderate endometriosis. A narrow tube is put into a small incision. With a laparoscope, the doctor can view any organs where lining or cysts have attached and can remove them. The surgery usually only takes 30 to 45 minutes. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's best to try to conceive six to 18 months after a laparoscopy.

    In Vitro Fertilization

    • If you are diagnosed with severe endometriosis, your doctor may recommend in vitro fertilization or IVF. Sperm and egg are combined in a laboratory and then placed in the woman's uterus. IVF begins with a woman taking hormones that cause her body to produce many eggs. The eggs are then collected with a probe and combined with the man's sperm. After that, they are placed into an incubator until they mature into embryos. This usually takes three to five days. The embryos are then transferred to the woman's uterus. It usually takes about two weeks to find out if the surgery was successful. Consult with your doctor to find out if IVF is right for you.

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