Endometriosis Fertility
Understanding Your Options & Supporting Your Fertility
Endometriosis and Fertility Facts
Did You Know?
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Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
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Between 30–50% of people with endometriosis may experience fertility challenges.
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Many people with endometriosis still conceive naturally.
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Fertility depends on many factors, including your age, ovarian reserve, ovulation, and the severity of the disease.​
Chances of Getting Pregnant with Endometriosis
An endometriosis diagnosis doesn't automatically mean infertility.
Understanding how the condition affects your body is the first step toward making informed decisions about your fertility and knowing when additional testing or support may be helpful.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These growths most commonly occur on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic lining, or other nearby structures.
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Like the uterine lining, this tissue responds to hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Over time, this can contribute to inflammation, irritation, scar tissue (adhesions), and chronic pelvic pain.
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Common symptoms include:
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Painful periods
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Pelvic pain between periods
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Pain during intercourse
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Painful bowel movements or urination during menstruation
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Heavy menstrual bleeding
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Fatigue
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Difficulty becoming pregnant
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​Many people assume severe period pain is 'normal.' If your symptoms interfere with work, school, relationships, or daily life, they deserve attention.
It's important to remember:
Not everyone with endometriosis experiences fertility challenges. Some people have extensive endometriosis and conceive naturally, while others with milder disease may have difficulty becoming pregnant.
Fertility depends on many factors, including age, ovarian reserve, ovulation, sperm health, and the severity and location of endometriosis.​
How Endometriosis Can Affect Fertility
Endometriosis may affect fertility by:
Inflammation
Chronic inflammation caused by endometriosis may create an environment that's less supportive of healthy eggs. It may also influence fertilization, implantation, and the early stages of pregnancy.
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Scar Tissue & Adhesions
Scar tissue and adhesions can change the position of the ovaries or fallopian tubes, making it more difficult for the egg and sperm to meet naturally.
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Ovarian Function
Endometriomas are ovarian cysts associated with endometriosis. In some people, they may affect ovarian reserve or interfere with normal ovulation.
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Hormonal Changes
Some people with endometriosis experience hormonal changes that may contribute to irregular ovulation or make it more difficult for implantation to occur.
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Pain Can Affect Timing and Intimacy
​Pain during intercourse is a common symptom of endometriosis. Beyond affecting quality of life, it can also make it more difficult to have intercourse during the fertile window when trying to conceive.
Did You Know?
Fertility Challenges Aren't Always Caused by Just One Condition
One of the biggest misconceptions about fertility is that there's usually a single explanation.
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Research suggests that's often not the case.
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A recent study found that women diagnosed with both endometriosis and PCOS had a much higher likelihood of experiencing subfertility than women with neither condition, highlighting how multiple reproductive conditions can contribute to difficulty conceiving.
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That's why fertility testing shouldn't focus on only one diagnosis. Looking at hormone levels, ovulation patterns, ovarian reserve, thyroid function, and other aspects of reproductive health can help uncover additional factors that may influence your fertility.