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Nitish Narvekar
King's Fertility
How does endometriosis affect fertility?
Dr Nitish Narvekarexplains thatendometriosiscan affect fertility by reducing the number of eggs and follicles that a woman has, and can reduce the chances of conception.
Transcript
The main way that endometriosis affects fertility is that it affects the ovarian reserve. So, it reduces the number of eggs and follicles women have. And therefore, if the ovarian reserve reaches a point of exhaustion or a critical threshold, then it may reduce the chances of fertility or conception or even successful IVF. So, we need to treat it and manage it before it comes to that point of exhaustion. The other way of endometriosis can affect fertility is by reducing the qualitative development of eggs as they're growing in this inflammatory environment within the pelvis. So, an early diagnosis and treatment is essential. And if by chance the woman does come at a later stage, then it can be complex surgery. And I am an accredited endometriosis surgeon so I can deal with these situations surgically and optimise the pelvis and the woman's chances prior to conceiving naturally or before she moves on to IVF.