Endometriosis and fertility – what are your options?
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, or you suspect you might have it, you’ve probably come across plenty of stories linking it to fertility struggles. While it’s true that endometriosis can affect your ability to conceive, the picture isn’t always so clear-cut.
While some women with endometriosis have no difficulty getting pregnant, others may find it takes longer, or that they need additional support to conceive. What’s important is understanding how the condition affects fertility, when to get assessed, and the treatment options available to you.
How does endometriosis affect fertility?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts growing in other areas, like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or bowel. These growths can cause inflammation, scarring, and sometimes the formation of cysts called endometriomas.
In terms of fertility, endometriosis can cause issues in several ways:
- Distorted pelvic anatomy: Adhesions or scarring can physically block or restrict the movement of the egg and sperm.
- Ovarian function: Endometriomas may affect how well the ovaries produce and release eggs.
- Inflammation: Chronic inflammation in the pelvis may interfere with fertilisation or embryo implantation.
But it’s not all bad news. According to a recently updated review, many women with mild to moderate endometriosis do go on to conceive naturally. The challenge is often identifying who may need help sooner rather than later, which is where early assessment comes in.
When should you seek an assessment?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for 12 months (or six months if you’re over 35) without success, it’s worth speaking to a specialist. However, with endometriosis, you might not want to wait that long.
If you’re living with symptoms like severe period pain, pain during sex, or persistent pelvic discomfort, and you’re thinking about starting a family, early assessment can give you a clearer picture of where you stand.
Even if you’re not ready to try for a baby just yet, understanding how endometriosis is affecting your body can help you plan ahead.
Some women also explore fertility preservation, like egg freezing, if they’re concerned about how the condition may progress or how upcoming surgery could impact their ovarian reserve.
How pelvic ultrasound fits in
A pelvic ultrasound is often one of the first tools used to assess endometriosis-related fertility concerns. At SureScan, we offer MRI and ultrasound scans, which provide detailed images of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding structures.
While a scan can’t detect every case of endometriosis, especially superficial or very small lesions, it can pick up signs such as:
- Endometriomas (chocolate cysts) on the ovaries
- Adhesions between organs
- Reduced ovarian mobility
- Distorted uterine or ovarian anatomy
Ultrasound also plays a vital role in checking ovarian reserve through antral follicle count (AFC), helping to estimate how many eggs you may have left and guiding any discussions around timing or assisted conception options.
At SureScan, we provide fast, expert-led ultrasound scanning and gynaecological assessments so you can get answers sooner. Whether you’re looking for reassurance, planning a pregnancy, or just want to understand your options better, we’re here to help. Call us on 0121 308 7774 to book a consultation.
