Patients with endometriosis (endometrial ectopia) experience tissue similar to the uterine lining manifesting outside the area of the uterine cavity. The condition poses added challenges that affect women who use in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a fertility treatment. Here are some ways that endometrial ectopia affects the outcome of IVF:
The Link Between Endometriosis and Infertility
The uterine environment of endometriosis patients undergoes alterations that produce chronic inflammation and scarring that reduce embryo implantation receptiveness. B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6)-positive inflammatory markers show hidden immune disturbances often interrupting implantation processes. When women undergoing IVF test positive for BCL6, their implantation and pregnancy success rates may decrease, even if their embryos appear healthy. Some women may experience repeated IVF failure due to this specific cause, even when their embryos meet quality criteria.
How Endometriosis Affects IVF Success Rates
In some cases, endometrial tissue reaches the ovaries. Patients with endometriomas, known as ovarian cysts, may develop ovarian damage. These cysts can reduce egg quality and number, disrupting the normal function of the ovaries during ovulation. When ovarian potential is limited, IVF fertility treatments become ineffective, reducing egg collection success rates and therapy outcomes. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress also damage the process of egg development into embryos, decreasing implantation success rates and resulting in poor embryo quality.
Lesions in the uterus affect women’s pregnancy reception capability and reduce their probability of having a healthy conception. The poor implantation and dysfunctional immune responses of women with endometrial ectopia increase their risk for early pregnancy loss. Inflammation modifies endometrial progesterone response, so the tissue fails to react to this hormone properly. The condition disrupts hormone levels and leads to potential problems with conception and pregnancy development. The less receptive the uterine lining is to progesterone, the further implantation availability is decreased and shortened.
How to Optimize IVF Success
Implementing BCL6 detection as a screening tool enables doctors to create patient-specific implantation enhancement strategies. The success rates of IVF can improve when doctors treat endometrial ectopia before initiating treatment. Laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriotic lesions may be recommended in some cases. Patients who receive GnRH agonist hormone therapy acquire endometrial ectopia suppression ahead of IVF as it optimizes embryo implantation potential. Uterine markers provide healthcare providers with evidence to determine if patients need additional embryo transfer procedures.
Doctors use advanced testing methods and specialized stimulation protocols to improve embryo selection and implantation. Anti-inflammatory and immunotherapy treatments also help doctors create an optimal uterine implantation condition. Eating anti-inflammatory foods, exercising regularly in moderation, and managing stress can improve IVF success rates. For the most optimal outcomes, a reproductive specialist with experience in endometriosis can be consulted.
Schedule an Appointment for Testing
Successful pregnancies are possible with proper conception methods and can overcome the difficulties endometrial ectopia creates for IVF patients. The combination of improved fertility treatments, personalized care, and diagnostic instruments improves the chances of conception for women who want to become pregnant. Reach out to a fertility specialist today to learn more about increasing your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy through customized treatment options.
