Endometriosis Treatment & Management

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) is found elsewhere in the body, usually the pelvis. It is a benign (non-cancerous) but very painful condition, which is characterised by the presence of endometriosis deposits mainly in the pelvis (the ovary, areas around the womb, on the bladder and the intestines).  Every month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding.  However, unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.

Endometriosis affects approximately 1.5million women in the UK and can affect any woman of childbearing age regardless of race and ethnicity.

Endometriosis can cause infertility; in fact, it is one of the commonest causes of infertility and there is a definitive link between endometriosis and infertility. Endometriosis is seen in about 20 to 25% of women referred to fertility clinics worldwide.

There is very good evidence that in women with endometriosis who are trying to get pregnant, a combination of endometriosis treatment and fertility treatment is often successful. Early detection and excision of endometriosis will often improve pregnancy rates. Repeated surgery for endometriosis lowers the ovarian reserve and thus surgery should always be planned with fertility in view .  In other cases, intervention through intrauterine insemination-IUI of IVF may offer better success.  The specific type of endometriosis treatment varies on the severity, age of the woman and other factors.

Even though endometriosis can fertility issues, once you are pregnant the pregnancy is expected to be normal.

Dr.Sachin Kulkarni offer multi-disciplinary specialist endometriosis treatment and management at Sunanda IVF.