Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Endometriosis and fertility: What every woman should know

Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD
Conditions
February 22, 2025
Share
Tweet
Share

Introduction

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease affecting approximately 10 percent of reproductive-age women and is a leading cause of infertility. Despite its significant impact, it remains underdiagnosed and inadequately managed. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms linking endometriosis and infertility, current treatment strategies, and the role of dietary and lifestyle interventions in optimizing reproductive outcomes.

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, primarily on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum. It is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. The condition is classified into four stages based on the extent of the disease, with advanced stages showing a significant reduction in fertility rates.

Pathophysiology of endometriosis-related infertility

Several mechanisms contribute to infertility in women with endometriosis:

  • Pelvic adhesions and anatomical distortion – Fibrotic adhesions impair tubal function and sperm-egg interaction.
  • Diminished ovarian reserve – Ovarian endometriomas damage healthy ovarian tissue, leading to a reduction in the ovarian follicular pool.
  • Inflammatory microenvironment – Elevated cytokines disrupt implantation and embryo development.
  • Oxidative stress – Reactive oxygen species damage oocytes, impairing mitochondrial function and reducing fertilization potential.
  • Altered immune function – Dysregulated immune responses compromise implantation.

Clinical management strategies

Surgical management: Laparoscopic excision and GnRH agonist therapy. Laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard for treating symptomatic endometriosis, aiming to restore normal pelvic anatomy and improve fertility. Postoperative administration of GnRH agonists has been shown to reduce recurrence rates and enhance pregnancy outcomes.

Hormonal suppression therapy. Hormonal interventions play a crucial role in symptom management and fertility preservation:

  • GnRH agonists – Suppress disease progression and improve implantation rates in ART cycles.
  • Progestin-only therapy – Used for long-term suppression and recurrence prevention post-surgery.
  • Low-estrogen combined oral contraceptives – Preferred over high-estrogen formulations to avoid exacerbating lesion growth.

Nutritional and lifestyle interventions. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary modifications can mitigate inflammation and enhance fertility outcomes in women with endometriosis.

Anti-inflammatory diet

  • Omega-3 fatty acids – Reduce inflammatory cytokine activity and are found in foods such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
  • Antioxidants – Neutralize oxidative stress and are abundant in citrus fruits, bell peppers, green tea, and dark chocolate.
  • Curcumin – Found in turmeric, it helps inhibit inflammatory responses.
  • Low-glycemic carbohydrates – Help stabilize insulin levels and reduce systemic inflammation, with sources including quinoa, legumes, and sweet potatoes.

Diagnosis: MRI vs. ultrasound in endometriosis

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for optimizing fertility treatment. The two primary imaging modalities include:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):

    • Highly sensitive for detecting deep infiltrating endometriosis
    • Superior for identifying retroperitoneal involvement and ovarian endometriomas
    • Useful for surgical mapping in advanced cases
    • Costly and time-intensive
  • Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS):

    • First-line imaging tool due to affordability and accessibility
    • High specificity for endometriomas but less reliable for peritoneal lesions
    • Operator-dependent, affecting detection accuracy

A combined approach utilizing both MRI and TVUS enhances diagnostic accuracy and guides treatment decisions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Treatment strategies for fertility optimization

  1. Surgical intervention
    Laparoscopic excision of endometriotic lesions can:

    • Reduce inflammation and pain
    • Improve ovarian function
    • Enhance spontaneous conception rates

    However, repeated surgeries may compromise ovarian reserve, necessitating careful planning.

  2. GnRH agonists at the time of surgery
    The use of GnRH agonists following laparoscopic surgery has been shown to:

    • Reduce recurrence rates
    • Increase pregnancy rates
    • Improve hormonal balance, enhancing fertility outcomes

    While intrauterine systems and GnRH agonists have individually shown efficacy, further research is required to establish their combined utility.

  3. Ovulation induction with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI)
    For mild endometriosis cases with patent fallopian tubes, ovulation induction using letrozole or gonadotropins enhances conception rates.

  4. In vitro fertilization (IVF): The most effective option for severe cases
    IVF circumvents many disease-related barriers by:

    • Optimizing egg retrieval through controlled ovarian stimulation
    • Utilizing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to bypass sperm toxicity
    • Employing preimplantation genetic testing to select viable embryos

Management of endometriomas during egg retrieval: avoidance vs. decompression

Endometriomas pose significant challenges during oocyte retrieval. Clinicians must weigh the risks of puncturing these cysts against the benefits of decompression:

  • Avoiding endometriomas minimizes risks such as infection, inflammatory responses, and reduced ovarian reserve.
  • Decompression benefits include improved follicular access and reduced oxidative stress, though studies report mixed results regarding pregnancy outcomes.

The approach should be tailored based on cyst size, ovarian reserve, infection risks, and follicle accessibility.

Future directions in endometriosis and fertility treatment

Emerging research aims to refine therapeutic approaches, including:

  • Stem cell therapy for ovarian rejuvenation
  • Non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis
  • Targeted immunotherapies to modulate inflammation without compromising fertility

Conclusion

Endometriosis remains a significant yet surmountable barrier to fertility. Early diagnosis, coupled with a tailored treatment approach—ranging from surgical intervention to assisted reproductive technologies—can significantly enhance reproductive outcomes. As research continues to unveil novel strategies, a multidisciplinary approach remains paramount in optimizing fertility outcomes for affected women.

Oluyemisi (Yemi) Famuyiwa is a renowned fertility specialist and founder, Montgomery Fertility Center, committed to guiding individuals and couples on their path to parenthood with personalized care. With a background in obstetrics and gynecology from Georgetown University Hospital and reproductive endocrinology and infertility from the National Institutes of Health, she offers cutting-edge treatments like IVF and genetic testing. She can be reached on Linktr.ee, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram @montgomeryfertility, and X @MontgomeryF_C.

Prev

The missing piece in medical education: Why health systems science matters

February 22, 2025 Kevin 0
…
Next

First, do no harm: Now is the time to fight mental health stigma and advocate for residency reform

February 22, 2025 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: OB/GYN

Post navigation

< Previous Post
The missing piece in medical education: Why health systems science matters
Next Post >
First, do no harm: Now is the time to fight mental health stigma and advocate for residency reform

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD

  • The rise of at-home hormone tests: a double-edged sword for patients

    Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD
  • Why is no one listening? The urgent impact of marijuana on fertility

    Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD
  • The impact of sleep on fertility: Why rest matters for reproductive health

    Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD

Related Posts

  • Think twice before prescribing opioids as a first-line treatment for pain

    Gary Call, MD
  • Merging the wisdom of pain medicine and addiction medicine to optimize outcomes

    Julie Craig, MD
  • Euphoria-free pain relief: A gabapentin alternative you’ve been waiting for?

    L. Joseph Parker, MD
  • The truth behind opioid use disorder

    Richard A. Lawhern, PhD
  • Are clinicians complicit in the Fentanyl epidemic?

    Janet Tamaren, MD
  • Beyond opioids: a new hope for chronic pain relief

    L. Joseph Parker, MD

More in Conditions

  • Measles is back: Why vaccination is more vital than ever

    American College of Physicians
  • Hope is the lifeline: a deeper look into transplant care

    Judith Eguzoikpe, MD, MPH
  • From hospital bed to harsh truths: a writer’s unexpected journey

    Raymond Abbott
  • Bird flu’s deadly return: Are we flying blind into the next pandemic?

    Tista S. Ghosh, MD, MPH
  • “The medical board doesn’t know I exist. That’s the point.”

    Jenny Shields, PhD
  • When moisturizers trigger airport bomb alarms

    Eva M. Shelton, MD and Janmesh Patel
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Why recovery after illness demands dignity, not suspicion

      Trisza Leann Ray, DO | Physician
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why medical students are trading empathy for publications

      Vijay Rajput, MD | Education
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
    • How conflicts of interest are eroding trust in U.S. health agencies [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • What’s driving medical students away from primary care?

      ​​Vineeth Amba, MPH, Archita Goyal, and Wayne Altman, MD | Education
    • Make cognitive testing as routine as a blood pressure check

      Joshua Baker and James Jackson, PsyD | Conditions
    • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how

      Ankit Jain | Education
    • Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The broken health care system doesn’t have to break you

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • How conflicts of interest are eroding trust in U.S. health agencies [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why young doctors in South Korea feel broken before they even begin

      Anonymous | Education
    • Measles is back: Why vaccination is more vital than ever

      American College of Physicians | Conditions
    • When errors of nature are treated as medical negligence

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Physician job change: Navigating your 457 plan and avoiding tax traps [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden chains holding doctors back

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Why recovery after illness demands dignity, not suspicion

      Trisza Leann Ray, DO | Physician
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why medical students are trading empathy for publications

      Vijay Rajput, MD | Education
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
    • How conflicts of interest are eroding trust in U.S. health agencies [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • What’s driving medical students away from primary care?

      ​​Vineeth Amba, MPH, Archita Goyal, and Wayne Altman, MD | Education
    • Make cognitive testing as routine as a blood pressure check

      Joshua Baker and James Jackson, PsyD | Conditions
    • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how

      Ankit Jain | Education
    • Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The broken health care system doesn’t have to break you

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • How conflicts of interest are eroding trust in U.S. health agencies [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why young doctors in South Korea feel broken before they even begin

      Anonymous | Education
    • Measles is back: Why vaccination is more vital than ever

      American College of Physicians | Conditions
    • When errors of nature are treated as medical negligence

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Physician job change: Navigating your 457 plan and avoiding tax traps [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden chains holding doctors back

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...