How to Promote Reproductive Health After an Endometriosis Diagnosis

An endometriosis diagnosis gives you a chance to address unexplained infertility and symptoms like irregular or heavy menses. You can seek surgery to remove any abnormal growths affecting your reproductive health or find treatment for pain and other symptoms. Here’s how to promote reproductive health after an endometriosis diagnosis:

Surgical Removal

Abnormal endometrial cells can be removed surgically using a laparoscopy device. Removing the tissues allows sperm cells and eggs to meet, increasing the chances of fertilization. Endometrial tissues may continue to grow and shed with each menstrual cycle, impacting your reproductive health. Get regular tests to detect BCL-6, which checks for markers of uterine lining inflammation. If your tests are positive, seek confirmation from other diagnoses like laparoscopy and imaging. Consult your fertility doctor to determine if surgery is necessary and whether you’re the right candidate.

Fertility Treatments

Recurring endometriosis can make it unlikely for a woman to conceive naturally. The tissues may grow back every month, blocking the pathway for fertilization. Fertility doctors usually recommend assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, involves fertilizing the egg outside your body and placing healthy embryos back in your uterus for implantation. The treatment bypasses the fertilization issue intrusive endometrial tissues cause when they block fallopian tubes or grow around ovaries. IUI may help treat mild cervical endometriosis, where abnormal endometrial tissues grow in the cervix. The treatment places healthy sperm cells into your uterus, closer to the fallopian tubes, bypassing the cervix.

Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal therapies like birth control pills and IUDs suppress and regulate pregnancy hormone levels, inhibiting the growth of endometrial tissues. Combined oral contraceptives deliver estrogen and progestin to control your menstrual cycle, slowing down the growth of endometrial tissues. Progestins deliver synthetic progesterone, which thins the endometrial lining, suppressing the activity of endometrial tissues. GnRH agonists and antagonists suppress the function of ovaries, reducing estrogen levels to cause a medically induced menopause that shrinks endometrial implants. IUDs also release progesterone, which reduces menstruation and endometriosis symptoms. Hormonal therapy can help eliminate the growth of abnormal endometrial tissues over time, allowing you to conceive naturally.

Pain and Stress Management

Endometriosis is often asymptomatic in many women but may present various symptoms like pelvic and abdominal pain, bleeding, spotting, and fatigue. Your doctor can use NSAIDs and other strategies if you experience chronic pain in the pelvic area, during menstruation, or after sex. Pain relievers help to manage daily discomfort that may lead to stress and hormonal imbalances. An endometriosis diagnosis and the fear of being unable to conceive can also affect your mental health. Seek support through counseling or practice stress-relief techniques to help you manage stress and reduce symptom flare-ups. Track all symptoms and communicate them with your fertility doctor for personalized treatment and prescriptions.

Lifestyle Modification

Endometriosis is one of many causes of infertility that can be resolved through lifestyle modifications. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, switch to healthy habits like eating a balanced diet and working out regularly. Choose non-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, fish, whole nuts, and fruits. Avoid or minimize processed foods and red meat because they increase inflammation. Engage in moderate exercise to boost circulation and relieve pain and stress. Healthy meals and regular workouts help improve your overall health while keeping your weight within the recommended BMI range for childbearing. Other changes include quitting smoking, which impacts sperm and egg quality, and reducing alcohol consumption.

Start Tracking Your Reproductive Health Today

Many cases of infertility are treatable, especially if you get an early diagnosis and intervention. You can use BCL-6 tests and other evaluations to look for markers of endometriosis, progesterone resistance, and endometritis. Schedule your test today to start tracking your reproductive health.