Endometriosis - Causes of Female Infertility

This affects 1 in 10 women and can damage the chances of any women who are trying for a baby.

It is a condition in which cells that are usually found inside the lining of the womb grow on organs which are outside of the womb. These include the bladder and the bowel.

The problem is that these cells follow the same monthly routine that the womb does – which we know as menstruation. But, the difference is that where blood escapes from the womb via the vagina on a monthly basis; with these cells the blood has no escape route and so causes adhesions.

These cause tissues and organs to stick together – hence the term ‘adhesion’, and also cause cysts called endometrioma to form on the outside of the ovaries. These cysts contain a brown liquid and don’t usually cause pain or discomfort but will do if they burst.

Symptoms vary between patients with some women reporting no symptoms whereas others will have severe pain. These symptoms include:

• Painful sex
• Infertility
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Fatigue
• Blood in the stools
• Pelvic pain

It is not clear as to what causes it but it can affect any woman and often runs in families.

If you are trying to conceive and develop endometriosis then your chances of conceiving are reduced but it is still possible to become pregnant.

Female Infertility Guide Index:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS)
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Hostile cervical mucus
• Tubal blockage
• Anovulation
• Obesity
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Amenorrhea
• Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Age and egg quality
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Contraception
• Prescription medicines