Does endometriosis cause infertility?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility, primarily due to the ectopic implantation of endometrial tissue in the pelvic cavity or other locations. Endometriosis leads to infertility mainly because it affects ovarian function, such as causing ovulatory disorders. Additionally, endometriosis can cause pelvic adhesions, affecting the function of the fallopian tubes, such as their ability to pick up eggs. Women with infertility should be checked for endometriosis, and if confirmed, surgical or medicinal treatments can be considered to improve the condition and potentially increase the chances of conception. Therefore, endometriosis is a cause of infertility, and careful examination for endometriosis should be conducted in patients with infertility.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can endometriosis lead to pregnancy?

Endometriosis can lead to pregnancy, but about 50% of those affected may not conceive. This is because the disease can cause abnormal anatomical structures in the female pelvic, leading to extensive adhesions around the fallopian tubes, thus affecting the movement of the tubes. This, in turn, impairs their function in transporting the fertilized egg. Therefore, for patients wishing to conceive, it is advisable to monitor follicular development with an ultrasound and have intercourse during the ovulation period, which could increase the chances of pregnancy.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What tests are done for endometriosis?

For patients with endometriosis, it is recommended that you undergo a gynecological ultrasound examination to observe the condition of the ectopic endometrial tissue in the pelvic cavity, whether it is present on the uterus or ovaries, and whether it has grown on the abdominal wall. Therefore, it is advised to have a gynecological ultrasound examination and a gynecological exam. Patients with endometriosis can also have a blood test for tumor markers. If you wish to undergo additional tests, you can also have a cervical cancer screening, which is also possible. The main recommendations are the first three: the gynecological exam, gynecological ultrasound, and tumor marker tests. These examinations are advisable. If the endometriosis is very severe and the pain is quite intense, treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is endometriosis serious?

Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrium, which normally lines the uterus and has growth potential, is found outside of the uterine cavity, commonly in the ovaries. The typical clinical manifestation of endometriosis is abdominal pain during menstruation. Such pain intensifies as the condition progresses and can ultimately impact the patient's work and daily life, to the extent that they may not be able to work normally. Thus, endometriosis can become quite severe over time and may lead to infertility in women who wish to conceive.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is endometriosis treated?

Treatment methods for endometriosis include conservative treatment and surgical treatment. If the patient's symptoms are relatively mild, the dysmenorrhea is not very severe, and there is no occurrence of excessive menstruation or prolonged menstrual period, conservative treatment can be applied. Common conservative treatment methods include oral contraceptive pills, and a levonorgestrel-releasing system can be placed inside the uterine cavity. If the patient has reproductive demands and the symptoms are more severe, or if there is a chocolate cyst on both ovaries, surgical treatment can be performed, but the recurrence rate after surgery is also relatively high. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What tests are done for endometriosis?

Endometriosis is generally diagnosed through color ultrasound and CA-125 blood tests. If the endometrial tissue is located within the uterine muscle, it forms adenomyosis, at which point the ultrasound will show an enlarged uterus and uneven muscle wall echogenicity. Blood tests for the tumor marker CA-125, if elevated above the normal level of 35, generally indicate adenomyosis. If the endometrial tissue is located in the ovaries, it can form ovarian chocolate cysts, which are visible on the ultrasound as ovarian sections and echoes, with typical ultrasound reports indicating ovarian chocolate cysts. Therefore, routine examinations for endometriosis typically include color ultrasound and blood tests, which can confirm the diagnosis.