Endometriosis can be associated with fertility problems, however, it is estimated that 60–70% of those with endometriosis can get pregnant spontaneously.

How does endometriosis impact fertility?

The link between endometriosis and fertility is not fully established. It's thought to be associated with the presence of endometriosis on the fallopian tubes or ovaries, hindering ovulation or fertilisation of the egg. If adhesions are present on the ovaries, the released egg may get trapped, unable to reach the fallopian tube. If adhesions are present on the fallopian tubes and uterus, they may distort the anatomy and cause the tubes to close, preventing access for the sperm to swim through.

How can you improve your chances of conceiving?

There's no treatment available to slow down the progression of endometriosis while you're trying to conceive. Pain relief medication can help manage the symptoms, but won't reduce the presence of endometriosis. The hormonal treatment options are contraceptives and would impair your ability to get pregnant. However, some endometriosis specialists recommend short-term treatment with hormonal contraceptives such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or the Mirena coil as they reduce the blood flow during menstruation and help to stem the disease process. By taking hormonal contraception for a 3 month period, this can improve your endometriosis symptoms and subsequently also your chances of conceiving once you stop the contraception again.

Another treatment option may be surgery to remove endometriosis in order improve the chances of pregnancy. Laparoscopic surgery and treatment of endometriosis can increase spontaneous pregnancy rates, once you've recovered from the procedure. You may need a few weeks to recover, and doctors will generally encourage you to continue trying to conceive with intercourse for an additional 6 months following surgery, before being referred for alternative treatment, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The Béa Treatment could be a good treatment option for endometriosis. The Béa Applicator places our custom cervical cap against the cervix, holding semen in place for up to one hour. It increases the exposure to the cervical mucus, minimises the contact of semen in the vagina (where the pH can reduce sperm quality) and reduces semen backflow.

The Béa Treatment Kit is new on the market – it’s possible your GP hasn’t heard of it yet. It’s an at-home fertility treatment that previously hasn’t been accessible or available to purchase online. If you wish to share details about the Béa Treatment, show them The Science of ICI and ask your GP for their opinion But we know GP appointments are short - so here's the TL:DR version:

The Béa Treatment is the modern take on ICI (intracervical insemination). It's an at-home fertility treatment that's affordable and accessible. It involves placing a cervical cap with semen near the cervix and it has a pregnancy rate of 50% over 6 cycles.