子宫内膜异位症是女性不孕和骨盆疼痛的常见原因。高达40%的女性在尝试怀孕时患有子宫内膜异位症。子宫内膜异位症似乎在患有子宫内膜异位症的女性的女儿中更为常见，这表明存在遗传联系。子宫内膜异位症症状包括月经期间的疼痛，性交，排便或排空膀胱。它通常也没有症状。
子宫内膜异位症发生在子宫内膜细胞在月经周期期间通过血液回流进入盆腔并附着于内脏器官时。一旦进入血液，子宫内膜细胞就可以在整个身体中传播。它常见于直肠，卵巢，子宫和管，但已记录在远离盆腔的许多器官中，包括肺和脑。
子宫内膜异位症通常根据其严重程度和引起不育的可能性而“分期”。这些阶段包括：
第1阶段 – 最小化
第2阶段 – 温和
第3阶段 – 适度
第4阶段 – 严重
子宫内膜异位症和不孕症
子宫内膜异位症可以通过多种方式影响生育：
排卵失败或不规律
引起盆腔内的炎症
卵子受精失败或受损
慢性盆腔炎可防止胚胎发育
对重要的生殖器官如输卵管造成物理伤害
Endometriosis Symptoms and Infertility
Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility and pelvic pain in women. Up to 40% of women having trouble trying to conceive have endometriosis. Endometriosis appears to be more common in daughters of women who had endometriosis, suggesting a genetic link. Endometriosis symptoms include pain during menstruation, intercourse, bowel movements, or emptying the bladder. It is also often present with no symptoms.
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells enter the pelvic cavity through a back flow of blood during the menstrual cycle and attach to internal organs. Once in the bloodstream, endometrial cells can travel throughout the body. It is commonly seen on the rectum, ovary, uterus, and tubes but has been documented in many organs distant to the pelvic cavity, including the lungs and the brain.
Endometriosis is typically “staged” according to its severity and likelihood of causing infertility. The stages include:
Stage 1 – minimal
Stage 2 – mild
Stage 3 – moderate
Stage 4 – severe
Endometriosis and Infertility
Endometriosis can affect fertility in many different ways:
Failed or irregular ovulation
Causing inflammation within the pelvic cavity
Failed or impaired fertilization of eggs
Chronic pelvic inflammation preventing embryos from developing
Causing physical damage to important reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes
