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Frequently Asked
Questions
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is the
growth of endometrial
tissue, which normally lines
the uterus, in other parts
of the body. Endometriosis
typically grows in the
abdominal cavity and most
often attaches to the
ovaries, fallopian tubes,
outer surface of the uterus,
bowels, or other abdominal
organs. Endometriosis
growths, called implants or
lesions, often bleed during
menstruation, causing pain.
They may also develop scar
tissue (adhesions) that can
interfere with an organ's
normal function. Scar tissue
can also cause pain and
difficulty becoming pregnant
(infertility). The diagnosis
of endometriosis is usually
made by ultrasound and is
verified by surgery through
a procedure called
laparoscopy. Endometriosis
can be treated with
medicines or with surgery to
remove implants and scar
tissue.
- What are the
symptoms?
Endometriosis is an
enigmatic disease; some
women have no symptoms or
problems whereas some
women may have severe
pelvic pain or cramping.
Some women may go on to
develop infertility as a
result of the
endometriosis. There is no
way to predict whether
endometriosis will get
worse, will improve, or
will stay the same until
menopause.
- Does Endometriosis
cause infertility?
Some women who are
infertile have
endometriosis (some have
more than one possible
cause of infertility).
Experts do not fully
understand how
endometriosis causes
infertility. Explanations
include the following.
Scar tissue (adhesions)
may form at the sites of
implants and change the
shape or function of the
ovaries, fallopian tubes,
or uterus.
- Treatments?
Infertility caused by
endometriosis can
sometimes be successfully
treated with surgery,
fertility drug treatment
and assisted reproduction.
The common forms of
assisted reproduction
include intrauterine
insemination or in vitro
fertilization.
Frequently Asked
Infertility Questions
- I have been
diagnosed with blocked
tubes. Is there any way I
can get pregnant?
Yes. In vitro
fertilization is effective
in overcoming a variety of
infertility problems
relating to blocked or
tied fallopian tubes.
Surgery to open the tubes
may be another alternative
treatment.
- I am 40 years old.
Am I too old to get
pregnant?
A simple blood test can be
done to predict your
ovarian reserve. If you
cannot produce quality
eggs, but you can carry
the pregnancy to term, our
egg donor program is an
option for you.
- My period is
irregular and
unpredictable. Can I have
a baby?
Yes. Irregular
periods may suggest a
hormone imbalance. Our
board-certified physicians
are trained to treat these
conditions.
- I have no problem
getting pregnant, but I
have had many
miscarriages, can an R.E.
help me?
There are many
causes of miscarriage;
some may be treated by a
reproductive
endocrinologist. PGD may
be recommended to test the
embryos before
transferring them into the
uterus.
- My husband had a
vasectomy. Is there any
way we can have a baby?
The sperm can be retrieved
during a simple office
procedure and injected
into eggs to achieve
fertilization. The
resulting embryos are
transferred into the
uterus for implantation
and pregnancy.
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