Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common condition among infertile women. It is staged according to severity, ranging from minimal disease to advanced. It can cause mechanical problems in the pelvis, causing scarring and distortion of normal anatomy. It also works on an immunologic level, inhibiting egg and sperm interaction and embryo implantation.

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease, and options range from surgery to medical therapy. It can be suspected by clinical history (painful periods or pain with intercourse), pelvic exam or ultrasound. The gold standard test for diagnosing endometriosis is a diagnostic laparoscopy. This is the best way for staging the disease.