Effects of endometriosis on IVF treatment - myths and facts

Effects of endometriosis on IVF treatment – myths and facts

Endometriosis is a painful uterine condition that not only affects your reproductive system but also your mind, and your fertility goals. Most women with endometriosis suffer from chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, irregular periods, and in some severe cases, it becomes difficult to conceive as well.

What happens is that in endometriosis, tissues that are like uterine lining tend to grow outside the uterus. Such tissues are mostly found around the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even pelvic lining. These tissues also respond to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, just as the uterine lining behaves.

However, it doesn’t have an outlet to leave the body, which further results in inflammation, and scarring, and may even cause cysts called endometrioma.

If you have endometriosis and want to undergo IVF treatment, you may experience a floodgate of mixed messages and myths coming up. As per some opinions, endometriosis significantly lowers your chances of conceiving through IVF treatment. Whereas, others claim that there is no impact on IVF and its success rate. So what is the complete truth?

Myth 1: You cannot get pregnant with endometriosis

Fact: This is not completely true. Though endometriosis makes natural conception difficult, women with this condition still have chances of getting pregnant—either naturally or through assisted reproductive techniques like IVF.

In endometriosis, tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in places like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or outside the uterus. This can cause scarring, inflammation, or even blocked tubes. IVF bypasses many of these issues by fertilizing the egg in the lab and placing the embryo directly into the uterus.

IVF increases pregnancy chances with endometriosis. For moderate to severe cases, IVF is often a suitable option. It skips blocked tubes and ovulation complications. Before embryo transfer (ET), doctors use IVF injections to stimulate the ovaries and boost egg production—improving the chances of a successful embryo transfer (single or double ET depending on your case). This carefully managed process gives your body a real chance to conceive, even with endometriosis.

Myth 2: All women with endometriosis should consider IVF

Fact: The stage of endometriosis matters, but not so much that no treatment would work.

No, this is simply an assumption not backed by scientific research or evidence. Some females even with endometriosis (mild to moderate) can get pregnant. Whereas, in other cases, less complex procedures like IUI (intrauterine insemination). Gynecologists consider IVF when other treatments don’t work, or if other fertility factors such as low AMH or older age are coming into play. Endometriosis severity ranges from stage I (mild) to stage IV (severe). You may panic if your doctor tells you that you have severe endometriosis. But chances of pregnancy don’t always sync with staging. Some women with severe endometriosis respond positively to IVF. Others with minimal disease may still struggle due to other key factors such as diminished ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, etc.

Myth 3: Endometriosis always damages egg quality

Fact: IVF success rates can vary and there’s still hope.

Endometriosis, along with ovarian cysts (endometriomas) can sometimes impact egg quality. But this isn’t the case for every woman. Many still produce healthy eggs and viable embryos.

With properly monitored and controlled IVF stimulation, doctors can retrieve multiple eggs, with the help of IVF injections before embryo transfer. Lifestyle changes like consuming anti-inflammatory foods and supplements also support egg health.

Medical studies show a drop in IVF success rates for women with severe endometriosis. However personalized protocols, long downregulation cycles, and expert care help cases of endometriosis conceive successfully. So, the approach may be different, but it’s not impossible.

Myth 4: It is a must to get endometriosis surgery before IVF treatment

Fact: Though getting surgery for endometriosis before IVF may seem like a logical step, it’s not always necessary or beneficial. In some cases, ovarian cyst removal can further reduce ovarian reserve. Thus, fertility specialists carefully analyze the pros and cons. If pain is severe or a cyst blocks egg retrieval, surgery is necessary. If your symptoms are manageable, it’s often better to move forward with IVF directly.

The combined emotional weight of IVF & endometriosis is real. Endometriosis adds years of pain, fatigue, and uncertainty. Add IVF to the existing baggage, and the overwhelm spikes up. It’s human to feel emotionally exhausted. Being flexible for mental health support, open conversations with your doctor, and community support immensely helps in this time.

How to increase the chances of IVF success with endometriosis?

Get a complete fertility workup including AMH, AFC, and hormone levels.

Get clarity about long protocol or downregulation to boost egg quality.

Discuss if the surgery is necessary or if you can directly start IVF treatment.

Prefer a trusted clinic experienced in endometriosis-related IVF cases.

Prioritize anti-inflammatory foods leafy greens, omega-3s, and berries.

Keep an active lifestyle with yoga, walking, and gentle exercises that boost blood flow and reduce stress..

Get to know about embryo grading and how many embryos are transferred in IVF so you can have realistic goals and expectations.

Endometriosis doesn’t completely nullify your chances, just reroutes the approach. The story of every ‘endo-warrior’s fertility journey’ is unique. No doubt endometriosis complicates the fertility process, but yes with expert care, your odds improve. Now is the time to make a confident decision and end the loop of suffering due to endometriosis.

Effects of endometriosis on IVF treatment – myths and facts