Endometriosis Awareness Month
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition that commonly affects women during their reproductive years. It occurs when endometrial cells, which are normally found only inside the womb, are found outside the uterine cavity.
Endometriosis can appear as spots or patches called implants or as cysts on the ovaries and in severe cases can affect surrounding tissue causing adhesions or scar tissue. Unlike the lining of the uterus, endometrial tissue located outside the womb is trapped and does not have a way to leave the body. This can cause inflammation near the implants and pelvic pain if nerve tissue is affected.
The diagnosis of Endometriosis cannot be made from symptoms alone as some women have no symptoms as there may be other reasons for pelvic pain. Surgery or Laparoscopy is the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis. Laparoscopy allows direct visualisation and ideally biopsy of areas suspected of being endometriosis. It is carried out by inserting a small telescope through an incision close to the naval. During a laparoscopy, the surgeon can also clarify if the tubes are open. This is where liquid is flushed through the neck of the womb.
What are the symptoms of Endometriosis?
Whilst there are symptoms of Endometriosis, as previously mentioned, it is important to note that some women may have no symptoms at all. It is important to listen to your body and get checked if something does not feel right. Some women may suffer from heavy or painful periods, find it painful to have sexual intercourse, struggle with fatigue, suffer from back, leg, and chest pains, and may struggle with fertility issues. Many women who have Endometriosis can conceive naturally without any difficulty however some women do have difficulty getting pregnant and may require fertility treatment
What are my options as someone who is struggling to conceive with Endometriosis?
At Sims IVF we are here to support you. We offer a range of treatment solutions to help overcome fertility issues and maximise your chance of having a baby. It is our combination of science, experience and care that helps us deliver world-class success rates. We provide a holistic approach to treatment. Once we understand what is affecting your fertility, we can discuss all your options based on your personal circumstances and work with you to put together a tailored treatment plan.
How can Sims IVF help?
At Sims, we provide Fertility testing, Ovulation induction, IUI or Artificial Insemination, IVF, ICSI, Preimplantation Genetic Screening, Fertility preservation, Donor programmes, and more.
If you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (6 months if you are over 35 years of age) we recommend you book an appointment with a fertility specialist.
