When Should You Seek Fertility Help for Endometriosis?
Posted on March 13th, 2025
If you have endometriosis and are thinking about starting a family, you may be wondering when to seek fertility help. While many individuals with endometriosis can conceive, the condition can make pregnancy more challenging due to inflammation, scarring, and other complications. Knowing when to consult a fertility specialist can help you take control of your reproductive health and explore the best options for your unique situation.
When to Consult a Fertility Clinic
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women globally. If you're trying to conceive now, a reproductive specialist can help create a treatment plan to address any painful endometriosis symptoms while preserving healthy eggs. If you want to have children in the future, the specialist may recommend freezing your eggs before undergoing endometriosis treatments.
How Age and Symptom Severity Impact Timing
As women age, both the quality and quantity of their eggs decline, and the condition of endometriosis tends to worsen. For women with Stage I or II endometriosis, a doctor may recommend a laparoscopy procedure to remove visible endometriosis and improve pregnancy rates. For women under 35 years old, it's reasonable to have a laparoscopy to determine if pregnancy is possible. For women over 35 or those with Stage III or IV endometriosis, surgery may be advised to remove scar tissue or large endometriotic cysts. If pregnancy doesn't occur within six months after these treatments, a doctor may recommend fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Benefits of Early Intervention
Early diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis can help slow or halt the progression of the condition. Additionally, because age affects both egg quality and quantity, the sooner a woman begins treatment for endometriosis and fertility care, the higher her chances of achieving pregnancy.
Learn More About Fertility Treatment for Endometriosis
Whether you have endometriosis and wish to start your family now or in the future, a fertility specialist can help you explore your options and create a personalized treatment plan. At Aspire HFI, our fertility specialists can assist you in preserving your fertility for the future or starting treatments like IVF.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment at our Houston, Willowbrook, Cypress, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Memorial City, Beaumont, Kingwood, or Clear Lake locations.
