Endometriosis effect on fertility and pregnancy

Acupuncture for endometriosis and infertility: How Endometriosis Affects Fertility and Pregnancy

So far in our endometriosis series, I we’ve have talked about endometriosis and its symptoms as well as the effects endometriosis has on the menstrual cycle. Did you know that amongst its many effective applications, acupuncture is used for endometriosis and infertility? In this article I’ll continue the discussion on how endometriosis proceeds to affect fertility and then pregnancy, and what you can do to proactively support your body.

It is important to note that there is help available, and that it is possible for women with endometriosis to fall pregnant, carry full term and have healthy babies. Sometimes this involves IVF or other forms of medical assistance, and sometimes it doesn’t. It is best to educate yourself of your unique condition and the options possible to you specifically.

How Endometriosis is Impacting Your Fertility

In my previous endometriosis post I explained that from a TCM perspective people experience endometriosis as a result of not ovulating regularly. In a nutshell, they don’t ovulate consistently because of the dominance of oestrogen in their system and their cycle.

Effects on Fertility

There are a few ways that endometriosis can affect fertility. All connect to the fact that people with endometriosis are not ovulating often. Without ovulation there is no egg to fertilise and become an embryo.

Beyond that, endometriosis equates with oestrogen dominance. This means the uterine lining is not cleaned out efficiently, causing inflammation and other symptoms. The health and integrity of the uterus is then harmed which can lead to difficulties getting pregnant.

Finally, endometriosis causes inflammation in the reproductive organs. This can cause swelling and scarring in vital areas such as ovaries and fallopian tubes making it hard for eggs to develop and travel for fertilisation. The inflammation also causes a hostile environment for eggs and sperm making falling pregnant both difficult and risky.

The good news is there are treatment options to help with endometriosis and increase pregnancy chances. Acupuncture for endometriosis and infertility is a commonly practiced, gentle and natural approach that both helps with pain relief from endometriosis, as well as increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.

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How Endometriosis is Impacting Your Pregnancy

As endometriosis is a chronic condition, flare ups happen. Between these flare ups it’s possible to become pregnant, even if unlikely. The endometriosis that has built up can prevent the pregnancy from holding, especially as there is less progesterone in the body to sustain it. Unfortunately, because of this, miscarriages are common for people with endometriosis.

This is why some level of preplanning is beneficial for people with endometriosis. Receiving treatment before conceiving, especially acupuncture for endometriosis and infertility, can improve the chances of having a healthy pregnancy.

Every person with endometriosis reacts differently to pregnancy. Some with the condition experience improvments, or have no signs of the disease; others go on exactly the same, or even worsen.

At AcuNatural Health we like to look holistically at the problem. Something to be aware of is that someone with endometriosis has inflammation and growing a baby in that environment can have consequences for their development. Fortunately, we are experts in managing this inflammation, so it’s worth keeping in regular contact throughout your pregnancy.

Endometriosis and Oestrogen Dominance

As endometriosis is an oestrogen dominant disease, there are certain issues that arise. For instance, people with endometriosis are low in progesterone and are likely zinc deficient. One feature of zinc is that it helps clean the body of high copper levels. Many women with endometriosis then also have high copper levels.

Some effects of high copper levels include:

  • Iron deficiency

  • Magnesium deficiency

  • High cortisol levels

  • Fatigue

  • Depression

  • Anxiety and agitation

  • Insomnia and other sleep issues

  • Digestive Issues

Baby Development

High copper levels and low zinc levels can also affect the foetus. Until their immune systems have developed, zinc is what protects babies’ health. Not only can their immunity be compromised but these levels of zinc and copper can lead to diagnoses of ADD/ADHD, skin sensitivities and allergies.

There is also the possibility the hormonal imbalances can impact the future hormone health of the child. Some evidence suggests endometriosis might have a genetic element to it.

Endo Awareness

Treatment Options

Acupuncture for endometriosis and infertility is a highly specialised practice, but can have the most profound effects for both the mother and the potential child as it develops. The best course of action is to seek treatment for endometriosis before trying to get pregnant. This not only gives us time to work on areas to improve fertility, but work on egg quality and the uterine environment to make hosting a pregnancy more efficient and healthy.

At the same time we can work to balance your hormones, managing the oestrogen and boosting your body’s progesterone. This combined with other techniques of TCM can also address copper and zinc levels, reducing risks during pregnancy.

That being said, we also offer acupuncture for women during their pregnancy. This can help with symptoms such as nausea, digestive issues, fatigue, sleep, headaches etc. The acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation which will benefit both mother and the development of the baby.

Acupuncture in the third trimester in particular can help with preparing the body for labour and recovering postpartum. We have an article dedicated to the importance of the postnatal period of the pregnancy and how we can help.

Endo isn’t the End of Fertility

Many people with endometriosis experience infertility and difficulty falling pregnant. It does not mean that getting pregnant is impossible.  Seeking help for endometriosis and infertility can help you achieve your dream.

If you’re ready to investigate acupuncture for endometriosis and infertility, call 07 3162 6888 to make an appointment today and set yourself up for a brighter future.