Endometriosis and Fertility: What to Know While Trying to Conceive
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis or suspect you might have it, you’re not alone — and you’re not without options. At Indiana Fertility Institute (IFI), we understand how endometriosis can affect more than your day-to-day life. It can also play a major role in your fertility journey. That’s why we’re committed to offering evidence-based, personalized care for individuals navigating endometriosis and trying to conceive.
What is Endometriosis, and How Does It Affect Fertility?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus — often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic organs. This misplaced tissue responds to hormonal changes, thickening and bleeding each month, which can lead to inflammation, scarring, and adhesions.
Illustration of endometriomas
Research shows that up to 50% of women with endometriosis experience infertility. Several factors contribute to this, including:
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Distorted pelvic anatomy from scarring and adhesions
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Inflammation that interferes with egg quality and fertilization
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Blocked fallopian tubes
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Impaired implantation of the embryo
The severity of endometriosis doesn’t always align with how much it affects your fertility — even patients with mild endometriosis may struggle to conceive.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
Early detection can make a meaningful difference in both symptom management and fertility outcomes. Many people spend years dealing with pain, heavy periods, or unexplained infertility before receiving a diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
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Chronic pelvic pain
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Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
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Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
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Bloating, fatigue, or digestive issues
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Difficulty getting pregnant
Tracking your symptoms and sharing them with a specialist can help guide the next steps. At IFI, we offer comprehensive evaluations to better understand your reproductive health, including advanced imaging, hormonal testing, and diagnostic laparoscopy - a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows doctors to view the pelvic organs and identify signs of endometriosis.
Illustration of a laparoscopy procedure
Fertility Treatment Options for Endometriosis at IFI
At Indiana Fertility Institute, our fertility specialists customize treatment plans based on your unique medical history, age, goals, and stage of endometriosis. Options may include:
Ovulation Induction with Timed Intercourse or IUI
For mild endometriosis, medications to stimulate ovulation may be paired with intrauterine insemination (IUI) to improve the chances of fertilization.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is often the most effective treatment for patients with moderate to severe endometriosis. By bypassing the fallopian tubes, IVF improves the chances of conception, especially in cases involving tubal damage or pelvic adhesions.
Fertility Preservation
For patients considering surgery or managing progressive symptoms, egg freezing or embryo freezing may offer peace of mind and preserve future fertility options.
Collaborative Surgical Management
IFI collaborates with skilled gynecologic surgeons when surgical intervention (such as excision of endometriosis lesions) may improve fertility outcomes. Post-surgical fertility treatment is often more successful when timed and managed by a reproductive endocrinologist.
Why Personalized Care Matters
Endometriosis isn’t one-size-fits-all — and neither is fertility care. At IFI, our board-certified reproductive endocrinologists take a whole-patient approach, tailoring your care plan to your symptoms, goals, and treatment response.
We believe in empowering patients with education, compassionate guidance, and access to the most advanced fertility technology available in Indiana. Whether you're newly diagnosed, seeking a second opinion, or ready to begin treatment, we’re here to support you.
Let’s Take the Next Step, Together
Endometriosis may make getting pregnant more challenging — but it doesn’t make it impossible. At Indiana Fertility Institute, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. If you have questions or want to explore your fertility options, we encourage you to contact our team today!