Four decades of experience
Everleap Fertility brings together decades of experience in endometriosis care, giving our doctors a deep foundation of clinical expertise to guide diagnosis and treatment while providing compassionate, personalized care..
Understanding endometriosis
Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 people with a uterus and can make it more difficult to become pregnant. At Everleap Fertility, we provide personalized care for people with endometriosis, helping you understand how the condition may affect your fertility and explore treatment options based on your family-building goals.
What is endometriosis?
During a typical menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) thickens to prepare for a fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, this lining sheds during menstruation, or a period.
With endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These growths, sometimes called endometrial implants, can develop on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other areas of the pelvis and abdomen.
This tissue responds to hormones during the menstrual cycle, which can cause inflammation and bleeding in the pelvic area. Over time, inflammation can also contribute to the development of scar tissue.
Endometriosis can affect people differently. For some, it causes significant pain or other symptoms. For others, difficulty becoming pregnant may be the first sign of the condition.
Treatment options for endometriosis
Treatment for endometriosis depends on your symptoms, age, diagnosis, and family-building goals. That’s why your treatment plan should be personalized to you.
For some people, laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis implants or cysts may improve fertility and make it possible to conceive without fertility treatment.
For others, fertility treatments such as ovulation induction or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended.
We’ll help you understand your options and determine an approach based on your individual needs and goals.
Experience you can trust
When you’re navigating endometriosis, having the right team matters. We take a holistic, personalized approach that considers your hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive health. As part of a collaborative network of fertility specialists, you’ll receive individualized care backed by decades of expertise.
Research-driven care
Our physicians stay at the forefront of reproductive medicine through ongoing research, collaboration, and continuous education, bringing the latest evidence and treatment advances directly to our patients.
Holistic, personalized support
Fertility is connected to your overall health. Our holistic approach considers factors such as nutrition, metabolic health, lifestyle, and emotional well-being alongside your fertility care, helping create a plan that supports you as a whole person.
During the surgery [to remove a fibroid], the doctor found endometriosis covering a decent portion of my uterus.”
Taquisha & Patrick
Your guide to understanding endometriosis
How does endometriosis impact my fertility?
Everleap Fertility brings together decades of experience in endometriosis care, giving our doctors a deep foundation of clinical expertise to guide diagnosis and treatment while providing compassionate, personalized care.
Research-driven care
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Your guide to understanding endometriosis
How does endometriosis impact my fertility?
Could I be infertile without knowing it?
What’s the difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis?
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How does endometriosis affect fertility?
Endometriosis can make it more difficult to become pregnant, although many people with the condition are able to conceive naturally or with fertility treatment.
Endometriosis may affect fertility by:
- Disrupting ovulation or hormone function
- Causing inflammation or scar tissue around the ovaries or fallopian tubes
- Forming ovarian cysts called endometriomas
- Making it harder for an embryo to implant
- Affecting egg or embryo quality
- People with endometriosis may also have a higher risk of miscarriage than those without the condition.
What causes endometriosis?
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but experts believe several factors may play a role, including:
- Menstrual tissue flowing backward into the pelvis (retrograde menstruation)
- Endometrial cells spreading after surgery
- Cells traveling through the blood or lymphatic system
- Hormonal factors
- Genetics or family history
There is currently no known way to prevent endometriosis, but treatment can help manage symptoms. Many people with endometriosis are able to become pregnant naturally or with fertility treatment.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Endometriosis affects everyone differently, and symptoms don’t always reflect the severity of the condition. Someone with mild endometriosis may experience significant pain, while someone with more advanced disease may have few or no symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- Painful or heavy periods
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Pain during sex
- Pain with bowel movements or urination
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Recurrent miscarriage
Some people with endometriosis have no symptoms and may not receive a diagnosis until they have difficulty becoming pregnant.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Your doctor may recommend one or more evaluations based on your symptoms and medical history, including:
- Pelvic exam: Checks for tenderness or abnormalities.
- Pelvic ultrasound: Looks for ovarian cysts (endometriomas) and other signs associated with endometriosis.
- Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgery that allows a doctor to look for endometriosis and, when appropriate, remove affected tissue
Endometriosis is classified into four stages, from minimal (Stage I) to severe (Stage IV), based on the amount and location of affected tissue and scar tissue. The stage does not always reflect the severity of symptoms or the impact on fertility. Although there is currently no cure for endometriosis, treatment can help manage the condition.
Are there other treatments for endometriosis?
Treatment depends on your symptoms and goals, including whether you’re trying to become pregnant.
Options may include:
- Laparoscopy: Surgery to remove endometriosis tissue, which may help relieve pain and improve fertility in some cases.
- Hormonal medications: Treatments such as birth control pills may help manage symptoms, but they prevent pregnancy while in use.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, or prescription medications may help manage pain.
- Your care team can help you understand your options and choose an approach based on your symptoms, fertility goals, and overall health.
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