Endometriosis and IVF Transfer
In today’s time, Endometriosis is becoming common as more and more women are getting affected by it. It occurs when abnormal cells are developed in the uterus lining and outside the uterus. It usually occurs in the fallopian tube, abdomen, ovaries, and ligaments supporting the uterus.
This results in scar tissue and adhesion, which destroys the tissue and causes dysfunction of the reproductive organ, leading to infertility. However, the exact cause of this disease is unknown. In such a situation, IVF can help a person to conceive. Keep reading to know how IVF can help to combat infertility in women with endometriosis.
Approximately 10% of women worldwide are affected by endometriosis, which usually affects women between 15 and 49 years.
The impact of endometriosis can be seen differently in different women. Some may experience severe pain and difficulty conceiving, while others are asymptomatic and are unaware that they are affected. IVF is a good option for conceiving for all those who have endometriosis.
Table of Contents
Endometriosis Symptoms
All women who have endometriosis may not experience any symptoms. But in case it advances, then the symptoms may include the following: –
Impact of Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a critical factor in one’s fertility as it can impact fertility in many ways, such as it can lead to:-
Surgery and Endometriosis Fertility Index
The cure for endometriosis is not available, but it can be treated. If endometriosis is suspected or observed by an endocrinologist larger than 4 cm, then laparoscopic surgery should be considered for its treatment.
Another treatment method may include the newly approved medication Orilissa, which manages endometriosis pain through gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists.
Previously the stages of endometriosis were classified based on :-
- Lesion Appearance,
- Pelvic Adhesions, and
- Location of the Disease
But now endometriosis fertility index is considered as it better predicts the clinical outcome after the surgery. The World Endometriosis Research Foundation and the World Endometriosis Society also endorse this.
The rate of endometriosis fertility index is based on the combination of patient history and surgical observations. During the surgery, doctors evaluate the patient’s fallopian tubes, fimbria, and ovaries on a mild, moderate, severe, or non-functional scale. They then add factors like age, infertile years, and prior pregnancies. EFI score of zero represents the poor prognosis, whereas 10 represents the best.
Endometriosis & IVF Process
For women who have endometriosis and wish to start a family, IVF is a good option. It helps women conceive and combats infertility, eliminates the risks of endometriosis, and safely enables a successful pregnancy.
Laparoscopy surgery or hormonal treatments are treatments available for endometriosis. And in severe cases, a hysterectomy is carried out, which includes the removal of the ovaries, cervix, and uterus.
IVF can be a good way for women suffering from endometriosis as it increases the chances of getting pregnant.
Some people also believe IVF treatment for people who have endometriosis can cause the condition to aggravate. It is because of the estrogen doses given during the IVF procedure. And when a lot of hormones are injected, it causes inflammation in the tissue. However, these cases are sporadic.
Endometriosis and IVF Treatment
- IVF fertility treatment can safely deliver a new born in case of endometriosis.
- Medications and surgery are available to treat endometriosis and help you become pregnant.
- If initial treatment fails, the doctor recommends a conservative approach followed by surgery.
- To ease the pain during the periods, they may also be given medicines like Advil, Motrin IB, ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc.
And if you are not trying to get pregnant, hormone therapy with pain relievers is given. The increase and decrease of hormones during the periods cause endometrial implants to thicken, bleed and break down. Therefore, hormone therapy is not the permanent treatment for endometriosis.
IVF Success with Endometriosis
IVF with endometriosis has a reasonable success rate. Many fertility treatments are available, from stimulating ovaries to make more eggs to IVF. Your fertility specialist will opt for the best treatment depending on your situation. Even IVF with stage 4 endometriosis does not affect its outcome.
IVF with endometriosis success rate is the same as other IVF patients who do not have endometriosis. But in the case of severe endometriosis, its success rate is low.
In IVF treatment, women with endometriosis may need to undergo Intra-Uterine insemination (IUI) with a partner’s or donor sperm. The success rate of insemination in women with endometriosis is about half that of other women.
Women with mild endometriosis who undergo Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation are more likely to conceive than those who try to conceive without such treatment. Further pregnancy rates are also high when stimulating the ovaries with artificial follicle-stimulating hormone.
IVF is the best treatment for getting pregnant, especially for women whose fallopian tubes are not functioning correctly, whose partner is infertile, or for whom other fertility treatments have not been successful.
Conclusion
Visit the good IVF clinics offering the best treatment for endometriosis; you can also find IVF with success stories. So, visit one of the clinics you find best because when you start IVF, you need extra attention. Your fertility medications need to be monitored as they can aggravate endometriosis symptoms.
