The causes of infertility due to endometriosis

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on April 06, 2025
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The main reason that endometriosis leads to infertility is that the condition alters the anatomical structure of the pelvic area. It is often found that there are extensive adhesions around the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which can lead to blockage or twisting of the fallopian tubes. This can cause abnormal movement of the fallopian tubes, impacting the transport of the fertilized egg. Additionally, in patients with endometriosis, the pelvic environment is also found to be poor, and some women may experience abnormalities in ovarian function, mainly manifesting as ovulatory disorders. These are all reasons that lead to infertility.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
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The difference between infertility and sterility

In clinical practice, we often mention infertility and sterility, so what is the difference between them? Let us take a look. Infertility refers to a condition where a couple has regular sexual intercourse, does not take any contraceptive measures, and the duration reaches over a year, yet the female cannot become pregnant; this is called infertility. If the male can cause the female to become pregnant, or has previously impregnated a woman, but she cannot carry a baby to term, we call this sterility. This is the difference between infertility and sterility.

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Secondary infertility is how it comes about?

Secondary infertility is when a woman has been pregnant before but has not conceived after a year of not using contraception. The causes of secondary infertility are divided into male factors and female factors. Common male infertility factors include older age or habitual smoking and drinking, leading to decreased sperm quality. Female infertility factors are more numerous, such as excessive sexual activity during reproductive years or weak immune system leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. This inflammation can affect the fallopian tubes, causing blockages and resulting in infertility due to tubal factors; it can also spread to the endometrium, causing endometritis and altering the intrauterine environment, making conception difficult. Some women may suffer from endometriosis, which can also lead to infertility. In some cases, women who have had uterine procedures may experience adhesions in the cervical canal and uterine cavity or abnormal uterine shapes, leading to infertility. Additionally, some women experience significant blood loss after childbirth, leading to pituitary necrosis, hormonal imbalances, and ovulation disorders, which can affect normal conception.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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Do Nabothian cysts of the cervix cause infertility?

Women with cervical Nabothian cysts will not become infertile because of them. Cervical Nabothian cysts are actually cysts of the cervical glands. Abnormal substances, such as squamous epithelium during the healing process, have entered the gland ducts, blocking them and preventing the contents of the cysts from escaping. They merely indicate the squamo-columnar junction of the cervix and do not affect the cervical canal or cause it to narrow, nor do they affect vaginal secretions or female infertility. However, if a woman has a particularly large single cervical cyst or multiple cervical gland cysts, they may cause cervical hypertrophy. When the cervix is enlarged, there might be hyperplasia in the interstitial part and possible formation of fibrous tissue. This could potentially affect the dilation of the cervix during childbirth.

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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Secondary infertility refers to a condition where a person is unable to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term following the birth of one or more biological children.

Infertility is divided into primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to never having been pregnant before, which is called primary infertility. Secondary infertility generally occurs in individuals who have had children or a history of miscarriage and have been unable to conceive again after trying for a year, thus constituting secondary infertility. It is essential for those with secondary infertility to undergo relevant fertility tests at a hospital. Typically, the clinical evaluation includes a semen analysis for the male partner, and for the female partner, tests such as Mycoplasma and Chlamydia detection, endocrine examinations, immunological tests, and assessments for fallopian tube patency and related endocrine tests. Generally, through these tests, the cause of secondary infertility can be identified, and treatment can be tailored based on the results. In cases of secondary infertility, the vast majority can achieve conception through targeted treatment.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
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Where is the best place to seek treatment for infertility?

After marriage, if neither party has a desire not to have children, and they have cohabited for more than a year with normal sexual activity without using contraception yet are still unable to conceive, they are diagnosed with infertility. Infertility pertains to females, and sterility pertains to males. If infertility is confirmed, one can first visit a local reproductive center for consultation. Currently, the technology and diagnostic methods related to reproduction are mostly uniform everywhere, involving a screening process. Therefore, one can begin by screening at a local reproductive center to identify some possible causes for not conceiving, including issues like ovulatory disorders in the female, fallopian tube factors, the presence of endometriosis, uterine abnormalities, immune factors, and the normalcy of the male sperm. After screening the causes, consider monitoring ovulation and guiding intercourse, or explore assisted reproductive techniques, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The best hospital for assisted reproduction in the country is Peking University Third Hospital. However, the level of assisted reproduction technology is similar nationwide, and facilities are continuously learning and sharing techniques, so one can choose a local center based on personal circumstances.