Endometriosis and Infertility: From Diagnosis to IVF Success
Endometriosis affects ~10% of reproductive-age women and is strongly linked to infertility. Learn how it impacts eggs and anatomy, and which treatments offer the best pregnancy rates.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic lining, bladder, or bowel. It affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and is strongly associated with infertility.
Symptoms & diagnosis
- Severe menstrual pain and chronic pelvic pain
- Pain during intercourse, bowel movements, or urination
- Heavy menstrual bleeding and infertility
Diagnosis may involve pelvic ultrasound, MRI in selected cases, and laparoscopy — the gold standard. Possible mechanisms include retrograde menstruation, genetic predisposition, immune dysfunction, and chronic inflammation.
How it affects fertility
Endometriosis can damage ovarian tissue, reduce egg quality, cause pelvic adhesions, distort anatomy, and create inflammatory conditions hostile to fertilization.
Treatment options
- Laparoscopic surgery — removes lesions and adhesions; improves natural conception (₹60,000–2L)
- IUI — useful in mild disease; 10–15% per cycle (₹10,000–25,000)
- IVF — most effective in moderate-to-severe disease; 40–60% (₹1.5L–3L)
- ICSI — when additional factors exist; 45–65% (₹1.8L–3.2L)
IVF often provides the highest pregnancy rates in advanced endometriosis.