Many women face certain health challenges when getting pregnant with endometriosis. Usually occurring in women of childbearing age between 25 and 40, endometriosis can be a most trying physical condition.
While some women are fortunate enough to go symptom-free for years, others contend with intense pain that sometimes hampers quality life. Many women who discover they have endometriosis just before learning that they are pregnant know that their condition arises from a misplaced tissue emanating from the uterine lining, which lodges itself in some nearby organ in the abdomen (like the fallopian tube), thereby creating mayhem in the pelvic area.
Most women go through excruciating pain and live to tell about the harrowing condition while others who still nurture plans of getting pregnant with endometriosis end up waiting much longer than expected. Because women with endometriosis may experience painful sex, putting it off reduces the likelihood of pregnancy. The prospect of infertility is actually one that women with endometriosis must face if they still plan on having children, so infertility treatment must be discussed with the doctor. Doctors may inform their patients, however, that severe endomeriosis that greatly distorts the pelvic anatomy may make methods like ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination practically useless. Women likewise tend to have a greatly reduced chance of getting pregnant with endometriosis in the mild stage. However, invasive treatment like surgery might alter the situation.
For those who do get pregnant despite the condition, note that fertility issues may still arise after their first child is born. What women can do is take charge of their health with the help of their doctor. A good plan, for those who still wish to have kids after the first one, is to undertake strategies geared towards conceiving as quickly as possible after the first child is born. Some women who have experienced the ordeal of dealing with so much pain (and finding that there are several pain relief remedies, including medication, they must refrain from during pregnancy) while pregnant opt to nix the idea.
The general accompanying signs of endometriosis – mood swings, hot flashes, headaches, weight gain, decreased libido, or nausea, just to name some, can be unsettling enough that it affects some womenÕs professional lives and personal plans. Useful pieces of advice and tips may be obtained from online discussions with support groups specializing in endometriosis. Nonetheless, treatment options and factors that tend to exacerbate endometriosis, making life even more taxing for women, are best discussed with one’s doctor.
If You Think You May Be Infertile Due To Endometriosis, Click Here Now
You are highly incorrect saying treatments such as surgeries do not improve fertility in mild cases of endometreosis. There is great hope and medical clinicals and specialists should be turned to in lieu of this article for factual information.
I have battle endometriosis for 12 years, and I am only 26. It went undiagnosed until July of 2010, in which my doctor immediately got me in for a laparascopy in Aug of 2010. It was the worst case he had seen EVER. Both my ovaries were fused to my bowel, my uterus was fused to my abdominal wall – no wonder the pain had been unbearable! While doing the lap, and also flushed my tubes and we started planning a pregnancy. I got pregnant two weeks later and I am now 20 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. Im writing this to give hope, because I know how I felt. Good luck to all of my fellow endometriosis-suffering women!
Hi Katie,
That was really encouraging news. I had many surgeries with no luck. My uterus is fused to my bowel and probably other organs at this point. Can you give me your Dr.’s information? Maybe I will have luck with him.
I have endo and I am missing an ovary. I want to get pregnant someday but I do not think it is possible. We have been trying very hard. Like everyday and I keep close track of my ovulation cycle. My doctor says it is still possible but I don’t know. I guess I’m just looking for someone who has been in the same situation and has had a happy ending.
Katie,
That is wonderful! I’m so happy for you and I hope you are doing well. I had a lap done last week (2/15/11). I’m still trying to figure out if I’m having pain from surgery or if I’m still having pain from the endometriosis. I’m not sure how severe, or not severe my case is because I have a squeamish husband that passed out while my doctor was trying to tell him how it went. Anyway, I’m so nervous that I still won’t be able to conceive and reading websites has just really shaken my confidence. I also had my tubes flushed (and they were clear). So here is hoping we have some success. I’m hoping a little of your luck runs off on us!
Katie, thank you SO MUCH for your post. I am being treated for endometriosis now and have extensive concerns about fertility. It really calms my fears when I read experiences like yours. Thank you again and congratulations on your little girl!!
I was diagnosed with endometriosis about three years ago. I have always had very painful periods, but figured that was just what was going to be my “normal.” It wasn’t until after I got married and we began trying to conceive that I knew something was wrong. After a year, and my admittance of the pain and discomfort I was in, my doctor said that I should undergo a laparascopy to treat what he now decided was endometriosis. One month after surgery, my son was conceived. I cannot tell you how ecstatic I was at the news.
There is hope. Even now when I am having a bit of trouble conceiving our second child and am experiencing some of the same pain and discomfort as before, I am still hopeful that I will be able to conceive. My doctor and I decided to give it six months before we talked about our options. Don’t give up. If having children is what you want to do, then it will happen.
Jane,
Good luck to all you ladies out there and keep your heads up! Good things will happen 
I went through the same thing. I had a miscarriage in May of 05 and we tried for a year after that to concieve again. We then saught the help of an RE and we did treatments for 9 months. He thought we should have been pg by then and we weren’t so we did laproscopy as well. I had stage 3 endo and he removed most of it and we concieved 3 months later with IUI. Our daughter is now 18 months and we have been trying for about 9 months now with 3 months with the RE again. I think laproscopy may be in out near future
Katie that is fantastic news, i am 25 and have already got a little boy of 6years, i was diagnosed with endometriosis august 2010 after being rushed into hospital with fear of meningitus, they found out that i had it and it explained why i had trouble conceiving after having my son. Me and my partner would love another baby and i so desperatley want another one but i have stared to give up hope reading your comments are really giving me hope, i am awaiting my laparascopy and am hoping that will help my fertility.
Alisha,
I also only have 1 ovary, it was removed after laparotomy to remove cyst wrapped around my ovary. Surgery was when I was 4 months pregnant. I delivered healthy boy. Now 10 yrs later I want to conceive again but having problems conceiving after 4 months of tracking ovulation. I have had 3 surgeries in the last 10 yrs 2 burn off endo. Have dr appt next month 2 check on fertility. Good luck to you, please let me know of any info u find out about conceiving w 1 ovary.
Hi ladies,my name is Miranda and I’m 19 years old ( almost 20) and I’ve been married to my wonderful husband almost 1 yr now:) 2 months ago I had the lap surgery done but still have PAINFUL intercorse! Everything else feels much better! My husband and I would love to have children but its hard to conceive if you can’t make love! Well exactly 11 days ago we were FINALLY able to have sex!! It was like a miracle! I know that may seem funny but in all honesty it had been a ling 8 months since we were able to have sex so to us it was so exciting! I know its only been 11 days but I feel like I’m pregnant! Of corse it may just be in my head though bc I want a child.. my husband and I are Christians though and believe ALL things are possible through HIM! In his timing it will happen,IF I’m not right now:) but for you out there hold on and have faith! It can happen! It’s been a long journey for us,and like I say,still have pain! I have another Dr. Appt in 2 weeks so maybe he will put me on some meds or something.. but just hold on:)
I’m so glad that i found this page because i just had an appointment yesterday with my Gyno & he told me that Endo may be a possible cause of my current medical problem. I’m fixin to turn 25 in 6 days & reading the posts that everyone has put on here has helped me to realize that even if Endo is the cause that i should still have hope of being able to have children. Having my own children & going through the whole experience is very important to me & i thank all of you for being so open with this subject.
Hi everyone
I am 23yrs old Iv’e been with the same man for 5yrs and were are getting married and wanting to plan for the future children wise. About a month ago I found out that I had endometrosis. My fiance sister was at the hospital giving birth while I was in the E.R because I was in so much pain it hurt so bad I could’nt even walk on my own they ran a buch of test on me and saw that I had a cyst on the overy and the endo right along with it. I am not sure how long I had but I know when I was a teen ager I had really heavey periods and the worst of pain that just wouldnt go away even after I took pain medicin. I havent had my surgery yet in october of this year I will have it done, I notice after a year or two of being wiht my spouce that something was wrong and I needed help. I wish the best for all the women with this condition its really hard to deal with knowing that you want a family some day I have a good spouce who speaks wisedom into my ear every night and tells me to just let GOD do his work and keep the faith/stay strong everything that you ask for will happen might not be tommorw or the day after but you will get it.
Katie: thank you so much for your comment! I was diagnosed about 6 months ago. I’m not ready to have children yet, but ever since I was diagnosed whether or not I’ll ever be able to is all I’ve been able to think about. It’s such a relief to read stories of women who DID get pregnant with endometriosis, rather that reading how hard it can be.
I just want to say thank you for all of the positive comments. I was diagnosed in 2007 with endo and underwent a lapo. However, because I was not ready to conceive another child immediately after surgery, my doctor recommended Lupon and said that it would buy some time to conceive a second child. I think that it may have been more of a hinder for future pregnancies, than a help. We have been trying for over a year now, and no luck. I am afraid to take fertility meds because of the risk of multiple births. Anyone else out that who has successfully conceived after taking the Lupron injection?
Hi Ladies-
I was diagnosed with endometriosis in July 2010 at 22 years old. I’d had a painful period for about a year by that time. I’d had an IUD put in in 2009 and I thought I was experiencing pain from it. I’d never considered endo. While on my college graduation vacation with my grandma in Hawaii, I was told that I had a huge tumor attached to my left ovary. The doctor there thought it could have been cancer. I’m lucky it wasn’t cancer but endometriosis is just the lesser of two evils in my opinion. I had surgery July 12, 2010. My doctor pulled out an endometrioma the size of a cantaloupe along with my deformed left ovary. We didn’t know I had endometriosis until after my surgery which also left a 12 inch scare along the top of my bikini line. It was devastating news, however a relief it wasn’t cancer. I was put on the Lupron shot right after my surgery. It was awful. I still spotted and was in excruciating pain often. On top of that, I was on estrogen to dodge the menopause symptoms. The shot only lasts for 3 months and it turned out to be very expensive even with insurance so I decided not to get it again. Instead, I started taking Seasonique and skipping the placebo pill so that I never menstruate. It took 2 3-month packs of Seasonique for my body to finally react well. It seemed like I had a period every single day for the first 6 months. I’m on my 3rd pack now though and I never bleed and am rarely in pain. My fiance and I are getting married September 10th of this year. Since my biological clock was pushed ahead because of endometriosis, we’ve decided to try to conceive immediately following our honeymoon. Being on Seasonique has me worried about how and when to go off of it in order to begin ovulating properly. I don’t want to go off of it before the honeymoon or I’ll be miserable on our vacation because I’m sure once I go off it, the flood gates will open up and the pain will come rushing back. I want to conceive in October so I can have a June baby because I’m a high school teacher and would like to deliver over summer break. I’m taking a pre-natal vitamin, trying to eat healthy, workout, no alcohol and get lots of sleep. I hope that’s enough. Your success stories are very inspiring! Thank you for sharing! I will post again if I am able to conceive! Hope this helps anyone who needs it!
Hi, i am 23 and just found out i had endo 9/14/11 after i had surgery two weeks prior to remove several cysts on each ovary and a uterine polyp. I didn’t have trouble conceiving my first son, but he was premature 6/2010 at 32 1/2 wks. After he was born i didn’t have a period til he was 7 mos, i think because i nursed him exclusively. After that though, it was horrible. My doc did not want to do anything about my symptoms, saying that my hormones just hadn’t returned to normal. I kept going back because things got worse and finally he told me that i needed antidepressents, i stopped going to him after that. I went for a second opinion, and i found out that i had a cyst that my 1st doc hadn’t even told me about, and who had just given me a depo shot to stop the bleeding. Anyway, i travelled and went to Doc. V. Sabella in san Antonio after i started bleeding and all the symptoms came back. Now after the laparascopic surgery, he said the best chances to conceive were now because everything is cleared out. He prescribed metformin to combat the pcos to try to give us a better chance at a second little treasure. After reading this i have a little more hope that it will happen, although we’ll have to be prepared to have another early bird baby. May God bless the wombs of all of us who want to have children!
I got diagnosed with endometriosis stage 4 in October of 2010. I had surgery in January of 2011. My doc removed my right ovary and fallopian tube. I also had a miscarriage in December of 2008. People say it is still possiable to get pregnant but we have been trying since June of 2011 and still no luck. Im to the point I just wanna give up. Im only 24yrs old and all I want to be is a mom. I keep close track to my cycles and when im ovulating and I dont know what im doing wrong. I need some advise…