
Endometriosis
Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, Fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond pelvic organs.
The exact cause of endometriosis has not been identified. Endometriosis is more common in women who are experiencing infertility than in fertile women, but the condition does not necessarily cause infertility.
Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis may include:
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea).Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before your period and extend several days into your period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.
- Pain with intercourse.Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination.You’re most likely to experience these symptoms during your period.
- Excessive bleeding.You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
- Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
Endometriosis can be one of the reasons for infertility for otherwise healthy couples. When laparoscopic examinations are performed during evaluations for infertility, implants are often found in individuals who are totally asymptomatic. The reasons diminished fertility in many patients with endometriosis are not understood. Endometriosis may incite scar tissue formation within the pelvis. If the ovaries and Fallopian tubes are involved, the mechanical processes involved in the transfer of fertilized eggs into the tubes may be altered. Alternatively, the endometriotic lesions may produce inflammatory substances which adversely affect ovulation, fertilization, and implantation.
What are the stages of endometriosis?
Endometriosis is classified into one of four stages (I-minimal, II-mild, III-moderate, and IV-severe) based upon the exact location, extent, and depth of the endometriosis implants as well as the presence and severity of scar tissue and the presence and size of endometrial implants in the ovaries. Most cases of endometriosis are classified as minimal or mild, which means there are superficial implants and mild scarring. Moderate and severe endometriosis typically result in cysts and more severe scarring. The stage of endometriosis is not related to the degree of symptoms a woman experiences, but infertility is common with stage IV endometriosis.
Endometriosis and Infertility:
Endometriosis can be associated with severe pain and fertility problems. About 30% to 40% of women with endometriosis have some trouble conceiving. The reason for this is not well understood, and scarring of the reproductive tract, or hormonal factors may be involved. Over time endometrial implants may grow, or cysts may result because of endometriosis, which also may cause fertility problems.
Our success story
Thirty two year old women with primary infertility for last eight years approached the IVF consultant at Baby Joy IVF Centre. She was a diagnosed case of Endometriosis and had undergone many treatment followed by several cycles of failed IUI at another test tube baby Centre in Delhi. When she comes at our clinic, she was advised to get the treatment for endometriosis then followed with IVF procedure. She conceived in the frozen embryo transfer cycle and is successfully continuing her seventh month of twins pregnancy.