Endometriosis is a puzzling condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of it. It’s a very common reproductive disorder that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. While endometriosis can cause a variety of symptoms, including pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility, there is another type known as “silent endometriosis” that many people are unaware of. It presents a unique set of challenges for women trying to conceive. We will explore this more and discuss the possibility of getting pregnant with this condition.
Understanding silent endometriosis
Silent endometriosis, also known as asymptomatic endometriosis, refers to the presence of endometriosis without any obvious symptoms. Most women with known endometriosis experience pain and discomfort, whereas women with silent endometriosis are asymptomatic and go undiagnosed until they experience fertility issues. And even then, it may take years to get a final diagnosis. It can be extremely frustrating for women who were unaware of these conditions until they encountered difficulties in trying to conceive.
When to advocate for testing of endometriosis
Too often, women undergoing IVF continue to fail to achieve a live birth because of some unknown condition. Doctors often ignore the possibility of a uterine lining inflammation, usually caused by silent endometriosis. Therefore, if you have failed IVF at least once, have a history of endometriosis even though you have no symptoms, or have been labeled with unexplained infertility, don’t wait to ask about ReceptivaDx. The ReceptivaDx uses an endometrial biopsy and can detect inflammation on the uterine lining that is highly associated with endometriosis. Women who have gone through various fertility treatments without success may find the answers they are looking for with this test.
Treatment options
If you are found positive, there are many different treatment options. The first is surgical laparoscopy using a scope with a camera to look and remove endometrial polyps. Many patients don’t want to go right to surgery. The other options are medical. There are hormone suppression drugs you can take for 60 days that suppresses the inflammation and allows for a successful IVF transfer. The recommended drug is Depot Lupron, but there are others in this class of GnRh Agonists and various combinations that will all suppress the endometriosis and lead to a successful pregnancy.Silent Endometriosis is real and has been shown in dozens of published papers to be a significant cause of failed IVF. This is your journey. Advocate for testing if you are not getting the answers you want. For more information, visit ReceptivaDx.com It is possible to get pregnant with silent endometriosis with the right test and treatment!