Is in vitro fertilization possible with the diagnosis of endometriosis? This question is asked, perhaps, by all women suffering from fertility disorders and having endometriosis in their anamnesis. In some cases, IVF is not recommended, but the disease is not always a contraindication to the procedure.

Endometriosis is a disease that accounts for about 50% of the total number of causes of infertility. With this pathology, the cells of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) grow - beyond its limits. Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to the question about the origin of this disorder. Experts tend to believe that the most likely causes of endometriosis can be:

• immune disorders;
• hormonal imbalance;
• inflammatory processes;
• abortions;
• violations of intrauterine development;
• genetic predisposition, etc.

What are the reasons of impaired fertility with endometriosis? Doctors identify several factors that affect the reproductive health of women with endometriosis:

• Disruption of hormonal balance. In this case, in addition to hormonal disorders, due to which the disease has developed, there is an increased estrogen secretion, which is stimulated by endometriotic foci. This imbalance significantly reduces the chances of the onset of full ovulation.
• Adhesive processes. Endometrial cells can be introduced into the fallopian tubes, where, expanding, cause tubal obstruction. Such an obstacle in the way of the egg makes it almost impossible for fertilization.
• Sex life distress. Due to the painful sensations during sexual intercourse caused by endometriosis, sexual intercourse becomes irregular that significantly reduces the chances of conception.
• Immune disorders. Changes in the structure of tissues of the reproductive organs can lead to immunological infertility. With this kind of impaired fertility, mucous membranes begin to produce antisperm antibodies, which destroy sperm antigens, and the uterus does not allow the fetal egg to implant, rejecting it.

Endometriosis significantly reduces the chances of natural conception, which becomes a matter for finding alternative methods. Nowadays, 20-25% of patients suffering from infertility due to endometriosis, resort to assisted reproductive technologies.

A little more than 10 years ago, the majority of the medical community believed that IVF with endometriosis is not just irrational, but also extremely dangerous. Because of this, the disease was a contraindication to in vitro fertilization. One of the main reasons for the prohibition of IVF with endometriosis was considered a negative impact of medicines used for stimulation on the foci. The means used at that time often provoked an intensive growth of the endometrial tissues, which caused the progress of the disease and worsened the situation even more.

However, medicine does not lag behind. Reproduction has become a focus of the scientific development work in the frame of the introduction of new technologies.