One of the leading causes of infertility in women of reproductive age is endometriosis. Shady Grove Fertility, a national leader in infertility and IVF, provides new resources for their patients and the community about how to overcome this diagnosis for women who are trying to conceive.
To help spread the word about endometriosis, a condition that is often characterized as confusing and enigmatic—this month is dedicated to raising awareness, educating the public, and increasing access to endometriosis resources to help women make better healthcare decisions. To assist with this effort, SGF created an eBook to inform and educate, covering topics such as common symptoms, how endometriosis is diagnosed, the impact the condition has on fertility, treatment options, and the success rates associated with fertility treatment. While endometriosis treatment approaches fall on a range of simple to complex, the eBook covers the topic from the patient’s point of view—with guidance dependent on symptoms and whether the woman is trying to conceive or not.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the cells that are normally only found in the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grow in other places other than the uterus. This can cause inflammation and damage to the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. If endometriosis affects the ovaries, ovarian cysts called endometriomas may form.
“To truly know whether you have endometriosis you actually have to have surgery, in other words a gynecologist has to look inside the pelvis, and take a biopsy, and confirm it under a microscope. Sometimes we do recommend surgery, but the majority of the time we would rather avoid such an invasive test, and instead rely on other clues. Those other clues include your symptoms. Most patients with endometriosis will have very painful periods. Sometimes those painful periods can be associated with back pain, or rectal pain, and sometimes these patients will have pain with intercourse as well. Some patients may not have any pain at all and may just present with infertility, so we use a pelvic ultrasound as another very helpful tool to give us an idea of whether a patient may have endometriosis,” says Dr. Andrea Reh of Shady Grove Fertility’s Arlington, VA office.
“Just because you have endometriosis does not mean that you have infertility, we don’t want you to panic. But that being said, we know that having endometriosis has a higher risk of developing infertility, and it can get worse with time, so it’s important to have a plan going in to it,” explains Dr. Reh.
“For women with endometriosis or suspected endometriosis who are trying to get pregnant, particularly if you know you have advanced endometriosis, or what we would call stage 3 of 4 endometriosis, we would recommend a fertility evaluation sooner or right away,” adds Dr. Reh.
The other important aspect of Endometriosis Awareness Month is advocacy. Whether it’s by women sharing their individual fertility story or supporting others struggling with endometriosis, this month provides a platform to join the conversation. Become a part of Shady Grove Fertility’s active community, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to empower and uplift other women struggling with endometriosis.
To learn more about common causes to infertility such as endometriosis, SGF physicians host over 150 complimentary patient education events—in person and virtual—each year. To learn more, visit SGF’s calendar of events. To schedule an appointment with an SGF physician at one of Shady Grove Fertility’s 28 locations call the Shady Grove Fertility New Patient Center at 888-761-1967.
About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)
SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with 50,000 babies born and counting. With 41 physicians and 28 locations throughout MD, PA, VA, GA, and D.C., we offer patients individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including treatment guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
Sarah Hudson | [email protected] | 301.545.1205
Shady Grove Fertility Marketing Team
