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Egg freezing, a fertility preservation treatment that allows you to store unfertilized eggs for potential use in the future, has grown increasingly popular throughout the past decade. Between 2010 and 2016, the number of U.S. women who pursued the treatment increased by 880%. The trend has continued, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that 123,304 egg freezing cycles were successfully completed in 2020 alone.

What to Consider Before Freezing Your Eggs

While egg freezing is a worthwhile experience for many women and people assigned female at birth, it is a deeply personal decision. There are many factors to consider as you evaluate if it’s right for you, including your individual health, finances, and family building goals.

Informing yourself about the process is a critical first step. Here’s an overview of what egg freezing entails — physically, emotionally, and financially.

Egg freezing is an option for anyone interested in preserving their fertility for personal or medical reasons.

All people with ovaries are born with the total amount of eggs they’ll ever produce — about a million on average. Each person’s egg count decreases with time. While only one egg matures enough to be released from the ovaries during a typical menstrual cycle, thousands of follicles, or potential eggs, are lost each time your body prepares for ovulation. As a result, the quantity and quality of eggs start to steadily decline in the early 30s, with a more significant decline from the mid 30s on.

Though many women successfully conceive naturally after 35, there is a correlation between pregnancy rates and age. By allowing you to try to conceive at a later age with eggs collected earlier, successful egg freezing offers a more flexible timeline for family building, and, in many cases, peace of mind. While many pursue the process with clarity about their reproductive goals — and the intention of a future pregnancy — others are undecided about having children and simply wish to leave their options open.

Egg freezing is also an option for people whose fertility may be impacted by medical factors like the following:

Cancer treatment: Some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and surgery of a reproductive organ, can impact a person’s fertility. For this reason, many women of reproductive age choose to freeze their eggs before starting treatment.

Other health conditions: Many individual health factors can influence fertility. Treatment for conditions like endometriosis or benign tumors may include removal of the ovaries. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer may pursue elective removal of the ovaries.

Gender-affirming surgery or treatment: The biological process of transitioning can permanently or temporarily impact a person’s ability to conceive. Many transgender men and transmasculine people freeze their eggs prior to hormone therapy or surgery. 

An egg freezing cycle is physically demanding, with self-administered injections and a minimally invasive procedure to retrieve your eggs.

In most cases the process begins with a transvaginal ultrasound, which allows your doctor to estimate your egg quantity. The following blood tests can provide additional information about the number of eggs in your ovaries:

The anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) test measures your body’s levels of a hormone associated with ovarian reserve. It is a good indicator of egg quantity, but not egg quality.

The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test measures your body’s levels of another hormone associated with your ovarian reserve.

Test results can also help your doctor predict your body’s response to fertility medications and tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

After the initial ultrasound and blood work, your doctor will prescribe stimulation medications to spur the growth of follicles, fluid-filled sacs in your ovaries that potentially contain an egg. These are some of the medications you may take during this stage:

These medications are typically taken as nightly injections.

Most ovulation suppression medications are typically introduced around days 5-10. These medications prevent premature ovulation — the body’s natural release of eggs from the ovaries — so that your doctor can retrieve as many eggs as possible.

These are some of the medications you may take at this stage:

Cetrotide/Fyramedel™ (ganirelix acetate)

While leuprolide is considered a suppression medication, it is typically started at least a week prior to stimulation medications.

Once your eggs have sufficiently developed, your doctor will schedule 1-3 trigger shots to give your eggs a final growth spurt and trigger release.

Medications used for trigger shots include:

If your body doesn’t respond to the stimulation medications or you have a decreased ovarian reserve, your doctor may add one of the following ancillary medications to your protocol to increase your chances of success.

Omnitrope® — a growth hormone whose main purpose is to help improve the quality of eggs

Microdose leuprolide injections — a lower dosage of leuprolide used to boost ovarian response to stimulation medications

The final step in a successful cycle is egg retrieval. In this minimally invasive procedure, your doctor will gently guide a thin needle through your vaginal wall and use suction to draw the eggs from the follicles. Your eggs will then be stored in a facility for however long you choose to.

While the retrieval itself takes 15 to 45 minutes, you should plan to be at the clinic for several hours. Many people find it helpful to have a friend or family member accompany them to the clinic for support before and after.

Each cycle typically takes 10-14 days from the beginning of medication use to egg retrieval. You will have regular doctor’s appointments for additional ultrasounds and blood work while taking stimulation and ovulation suppression medications. Your doctor may adjust medication dosages based on your hormone levels.

If and when you decide to use your frozen eggs, they will be thawed, fertilized with sperm, and implanted into your uterus through the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

For some women, it is a viable option to freeze embryos, or fertilized eggs. There are several reasons a person might opt to freeze embryos:

Some studies have found that frozen embryos have a higher thaw survival rate than frozen eggs. 

Embryos can undergo genetic testing, so you can learn of any chromosomal abnormalities before freezing them. 

You will also know that you are freezing an egg healthy enough for successful fertilization.

However, this option requires you to decide whose sperm to use early on in the process.

Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking hormonal birth control before your egg freezing cycle, as it may affect fertility assessment results as well as your body’s response to fertility medications. Non-hormonal forms of birth control, like a copper IUD, should not interfere with the egg freezing process.  

What else should I consider before freezing my eggs?

The egg freezing process affects both the mind and body, with physical and emotional side effects. While each person responds differently to the treatment, certain symptoms are common, including:

Injection site reaction (soreness, redness, or mild bruising)

Changes in mood such as heightened sensitivity, irritability, euphoria, or depression due to elevated estrogen levels

Alto’s fertility-trained pharmacists can help you navigate egg freezing side effects, with availability on nights and weekends.

Different injectable fertility medications require different administration methods. Most injections are administered subcutaneously around the abdomen. Intramuscular injections are typically administered in the upper, outer part of the buttocks, which can be more difficult to reach when self-injecting.

If your protocol includes intramuscular injections, consider asking for assistance from your partner, a friend, or a family member. If you need to self-administer, try standing in front of a mirror for a better view of the injection site. You can also ask a nurse or another clinic staff member to circle the injection site on your body so that you can find it more easily.

Like any medical procedure, egg freezing has the potential for some complications. Egg retrieval may cause bleeding and infection, though this is unlikely to occur in most cases.

One rare, but serious, complication of the process is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), an abnormal reaction to stimulation and trigger medications. It is characterized by pain and swelling in the ovaries and sometimes the abdomen. OHSS is treatable, but there are times when a doctor will recommend ending treatment and starting a new egg freezing cycle in the future.

While many women successfully conceive with frozen eggs, it’s important to remember that fertility preservation treatment does not guarantee a successful pregnancy. There are many steps between egg retrieval and pregnancy, including successful thawing, fertilization, implantation, and continued embryo development.

It may also take several cycles to retrieve your target number of eggs, which your doctor will advise you on. An average of 10-15 eggs are needed to achieve a successful pregnancy. Depending on your age and reproductive health, your doctor may recommend freezing more eggs to increase your chances of successfully conceiving.

Not everyone who freezes their eggs will use them. Some women go on to conceive naturally while others decide not to pursue parenthood. As part of your planning, consider what you would do with unused eggs or embryos. Your options include donating them to a person or couple experiencing infertility or to researchers, or having them appropriately discarded by a clinic or storage facility.

Donating eggs will require additional blood work and testing prior to your cycle. Ask your clinic for additional information if you are interested in this option.

Before deciding to pursue egg freezing, it’s important to know how you will pay for the treatment. Egg freezing costs are ongoing, including not only the fertility medications, testing, blood work, and procedures, but also storage fees and in vitro fertilization. (Many clinics store eggs for up to a year as part of the cost of an egg freezing cycle. If your clinic offers this service, you will need to select another storage vendor after a year.)

The total cost of egg freezing depends on various individual factors. Your reproductive health and your age can influence how many egg freezing cycles your doctor recommends. Egg storage duration depends on your personal family building timeline.

It may not be possible to predict the exact total cost of egg freezing, but identifying your reproductive goals and learning more about your reproductive health can help you arrive at a solid estimate. An initial consultation with a fertility clinic is often a helpful first step, providing additional insight into personal health factors.

Some health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage of egg freezing-related costs, including medications and IVF. Note that most insurance plans have separate medical and pharmacy benefits. In most cases, professional services provided by your doctor or clinic will fall under medical benefits, and fertility medications will fall under pharmacy benefits.

A growing number of employers offer egg freezing coverage as part of employee benefits, separate from health insurance. If your employer doesn’t currently cover egg freezing, don’t be afraid to ask. RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association has resources to help you start the conversation.

Some fertility clinics offer financing and payment plans to help you manage or lower egg freezing costs. As you explore your options for clinics, we suggest asking these questions:

Based on my specific treatment plan, what is the typical all-inclusive cost?

What is included in the treatment cost and what is not?

Is a year of egg storage included in an egg freezing package?

Can you provide a detailed list of procedures and costs?

What is the typical cost of fertility medications for my treatment plan?

Additionally, some fertility medication manufacturers offer patient assistance programs to alleviate the cost of these expenses. If Alto is your fertility pharmacy, you are likely taking medications manufactured by EMD Serono or Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Both manufacturers have programs that lower the cost of fertility treatment.

Learn how to apply for EMD Serono’s financial assistance programs.

Learn how to apply for Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ financial assistance programs.

Alto is committed to helping you save as much as possible on your fertility medications. Free same-day delivery makes it easy to manage last-minute changes to your treatment plan, preventing fertility medication waste. We also search for savings options and connect you with programs that require you to apply, like the patient assistance programs above.

A pharmacy partner for your fertility journey

Egg freezing can be a challenging journey, but Alto is with you every step of the way. To ensure that your treatment plan is followed correctly, we offer free same-day delivery of your medications and fertility resources like personalized injection guide videos and one-on-one consultations with fertility-trained pharmacists.

Interested in learning more about how Alto can support your treatment? Request a price quote online or reach out through secure in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

Some injectable fertility medications increase your levels of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) develops when the blood vessels in your ovaries have an abnormal response to the presence of hCG and leak fluid. The condition is characterized by pain and swelling in the ovaries and sometimes the abdomen.

What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?

Once considered a more common complication of IVF, OHSS cases have declined over the years. It currently affects less than 5% of all those who undergo the fertility treatment. Less than 1% of all individuals pursuing hormonal fertility treatments experience severe OHSS.

Let’s take a look at what causes this relatively rare IVF complication and how to prevent it during your cycle.

OHSS most often occurs as the result of injectable fertility medications used to stimulate egg growth and trigger egg release during IVF or egg freezing. Oral fertility medications are a less common cause of OHSS. It may also develop spontaneously in rare cases.

The following factors may increase your risk for OHSS, but they aren’t necessary for it to develop.

If you experience OHSS during one round of fertility treatment, you may be more likely to experience it again.

When OHSS develops during IVF, symptoms typically appear within a week of the first injection of stimulation medication. However, it may take two weeks or more for symptoms to develop.

Symptoms vary by the severity of the condition. Mild to moderate cases often include mild abdominal swelling, bloating, and nausea, as well as minor weight gain.

More severe cases include severe abdominal pain and swelling, bloating, and nausea, and much more noticeable weight gain. Difficulty breathing, blood clots, decreased urination, and impaired kidney function can also occur in these cases.

While the majority of OHSS cases are mild and don’t require treatment, tell your healthcare provider about any potential symptoms. They will require monitoring regardless of their intensity.

Without prompt, effective treatment, severe cases of OHSS can lead to serious complications, including a blood clot in the lungs or legs, or a ruptured ovarian cyst. Seek immediate care from your provider if at any point during your fertility treatment you have trouble breathing or feel pain or swelling in your legs or chest.

Doctors may recommend gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) antagonists or letrozole to treat moderate to severe symptoms of OHSS. These medications suppress ovarian activity.

In some cases, a doctor may recommend canceling treatment and starting a new cycle in the future after OHSS symptoms have resolved. Although this can be devastating, remember that many individuals and couples have eventual success with IVF after one or more canceled or unsuccessful cycles.

It may be an option to freeze embryos from IVF and finish the implantation at a later date after your body has recovered from OHSS.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower the risk of OHSS during IVF. If you have any known risk factors, or if you experienced OHSS during a previous cycle, your provider may recommend one or more of the following adjustments to your treatment plan.

A medication called cabergoline is primarily used to prevent cases of OHSS during IVF. GnRH antagonists and letrozole are sometimes also used as preventative treatment.

Metformin — an oral diabetes medication that is sometimes used off-label to treat PCOS — can also be used to reduce the risk of OHSS in women with PCOS.

If you have high levels of estrogen or many developed follicles during IVF, your doctor may adjust the timing or duration of your medication schedule. A common practice is to stop the use of stimulation medications for several days before the trigger shot(s) to prevent further stimulation of a high follicle count.

Injecting the lowest effective dose of a fertility medication can also help prevent OHSS.

Your doctor may also recommend using an alternative medication such as leuprolide in place of an hCG trigger shot to prevent OHSS.

Choose a flexible and reliable pharmacy partner

Fertility treatment can be challenging, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. To ensure that your treatment plan is followed correctly, we offer free same-day delivery of your medications and fertility resources like personalized injection guide videos and one-on-one consultations with fertility-trained pharmacists.

Interested in learning more about how Alto can support your fertility treatment? Request a price quote online or reach out through secure in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has made parenthood a reality for many individuals and couples who once struggled to conceive, but that doesn’t mean it is an easy process. Not only is it challenging on both an emotional and financial level, the fertility medications used in a cycle can affect the body in many ways.

How to Navigate Common IVF Side Effects

Knowing what to anticipate can make the experience easier to navigate. To help you prepare as much as possible for your IVF cycle, we’ve put together a guide to medication side effects and management strategies.

This post is a deep dive into medication side effects. For a closer look at the IVF process and medication sequencing, read:

IVF and Egg Freezing: What to Expect and How to Prepare

IVF Medications: Schedule and Side Effects Explained

Below are the main categories of IVF medications and associated side effects. While individual medication protocols vary, you can generally anticipate the types of medications your doctor will prescribe.

The first phase of IVF focuses on stimulating egg growth. These are some of the medications you may take during this stage:

These medications are typically taken as nightly injections, with the exception of Clomid/Letrozole, which is an oral medication.

Known side effects of these medications include:

Mood swings including heightened sensitivity, irritability, euphoria, or depression - individual responses vary

Ovulation suppression medications prevent premature ovulation — the body’s natural release of eggs from the ovaries — so that your doctor can retrieve as many eggs as possible for fertilization. These are some of the medications you may take at this stage:

These medications also bring the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This condition is characterized by swelling and pain in the ovaries as the result of over stimulation or an excessive hormonal response to fertility medications. Many mild cases don’t require treatment, but doctors often recommend the following medications for moderate to severe symptoms. (These medications may also be prescribed to prevent OHSS.)

Cabergoline is an oral medication, sometimes used vaginally, that can reduce OHSS symptoms

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) antagonists or letrozole suppress ovarian activity

In some cases, your doctor may recommend canceling treatment and starting a new cycle in the future after OHSS symptoms have resolved.

At this point in your cycle you may feel very full in your abdomen as the ovaries are enlarged from growing follicles.

The final phase of IVF is the transfer of a fertilized egg into your uterus. Progesterone or estrogen supplements are often prescribed at this stage to support successful implantation of an embryo and sustain a healthy pregnancy.

Progesterone is taken as an intramuscular injection or vaginally in the form of suppositories and capsules. Known side effects include:

Soreness or swelling at the site of injection, if taking progesterone injections

Vaginal itching or burning and yeast infection, if taking vaginally

Estrogen is typically taken as a topical patch but can also be taken orally, vaginally, or as an injection. Known side effects include:

Redness or irritation in the skin covered by the patch, if taking topically

Increased vaginal discharge, if taking vaginally

Constipation, bloating, or stomach cramps  

Everyone has a different threshold for pain or discomfort. You know your body best. If anything feels unusual, it’s always worth speaking with your doctor.

Below are effective and safe ways to treat common side effects during IVF. Many over-the-counter products can be added to the next delivery of your fertility medications through Essentials From Alto.

This is one of the most common side effects during IVF, and you should expect to experience some soreness, redness, or bruising at the site of injection. You don’t need to do anything to treat the reaction; it will typically resolve itself within a few days.

Icing your skin beforehand can help keep this side effect to a minimum for intramuscular injections — the deeper of the two injection techniques used during IVF. Be sure to massage your skin afterwards, both to help the medication spread and to prevent soreness in your muscles.

Icing isn’t necessary for subcutaneous injections, the other injection technique.

If you are prescribed estrogen as a topical patch during the final phase of IVF, rotating the location of your patch can help prevent skin irritation.

The patch should be applied to an area of your skin free of powder, lotions, hair, and cuts or other irritations. The most common application sites are the lower abdomen or buttocks.

It's important to let application sites heal as much as possible before reapplying a patch. Aim for at least one week between patch applications.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is the best way to treat pain during IVF. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) during IVF. Their anti-inflammatory properties prevent the ovaries from expanding and growing, essentially canceling out treatment.

Shop acetaminophen through Essentials From Alto.

Eating smaller meals can help reduce bloating. Some individuals also take simethicone (Gas-X®). If you develop acid reflux from bloating, Tums® is safe to take.

Order digestive health products through Essentials From Alto.

Stool softeners like Colace® and the fiber supplement Metamucil® are often used to alleviate constipation. In addition, stay hydrated — drinking more water helps stool softeners work better — and opt for fiber-rich foods.

Heating pads and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are commonly used to alleviate abdominal cramping during IVF. NSAIDs should be avoided.

Pantiliners can help absorb additional vaginal discharge caused by vaginal preparations of estrogen.

Over-the-counter nausea relief options include ginger chews, peppermints, and nausea bracelets. You can also speak with your doctor about your options for prescription nausea medication if symptoms persist.

Some IVF side effects like mood swings and hot flashes occur as the result of hormonal changes, making them harder to treat.

However, if you find that mood changes are interfering with daily activities, speak with your doctor about medication. Many medications for mood disorders are safe to take during IVF. 

Vaginal itching or burning and yeast infection

Some OTC antifungals like Monistat® are helpful for vaginal itching or burning and yeast infections. However, always check with your doctor before using these medications to make sure they’re appropriate for you. You can also ask your doctor about prescription medication options like fluconazole (Diflucan®).

Traveling during fertility treatment may feel overwhelming, but it’s definitely doable. While the fertility journey involves many moving parts, careful planning and coordination with your care team can help you take a trip without impacting your treatment. Use the suggestions below to prepare for your travels. 

A Guide to Traveling During Fertility Treatment

Advanced preparation is important when traveling with any medication. Given the complex and time-sensitive nature of fertility treatment, the planning process involves a few more steps.

First, consult your doctor about your plans and make sure your intended travel dates don’t conflict with your treatment. In vitro fertilization (IVF) requires very thorough travel planning, since it entails multiple in-person doctor’s appointments and a very carefully timed egg retrieval. Other treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) may leave more room for flexibility.

Regardless of your specific treatment plan, make sure you are up to date on vaccines and be sure to monitor health-related travel alerts. The CDC advises that women who intend to conceive consult their physician before traveling to a destination with potential exposure to the Zika virus.

Lastly, make sure that you have more than enough of your fertility medication(s) and supplies on hand. Aim for several additional days’ worth. Needles used to inject medications require a prescription in some states, so bring extra to avoid unnecessary hassle.

If you are traveling near an Alto location, same-day delivery of fertility medications and supplies may be available.

Pack your medications and supplies in a carry-on

When traveling by plane, it’s always best to pack important medications and supplies in your carry-on rather than in a checked bag. Bring everything you need to safely administer your medications, including syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, hand sanitizer, gauze, and a sharps disposal container.

While the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s current limit on liquids, gels, and creams in a carry-on is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), there are exceptions for medications. Bringing needles onto a plane is acceptable when accompanied by injectable medications.

Give yourself extra time to allow for additional screening of these items. The following tips may help you get through security as efficiently as possible.

Inform the TSA officer that you are carrying more than 3.4 ounces of liquid medication before your screening process begins, if applicable.

Bring a copy of your prescription(s) with you.

Keep all medications and supplies in their original packaging.

Put your medications and supplies in a separate, clear bag, as they will need to be separated from the rest of your belongings.

Store your medications at the appropriate temperature

Refrigeration is essential with many fertility medications. (At Alto, we ensure that medications are held at the right temperature before you receive them and guide you on safe at-home storage.)

Many people use frozen gel packs and insulated medication bags to store fertility medications at an appropriate temperature while traveling. (This approach is particularly useful for air travel.) As you finalize your travel plans, verify that your hotel or other accommodation offers access to a refrigerator or mini fridge.

Fertility treatment can be stressful, let alone traveling during the process, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. We offer free, same-day delivery of medication and supplies right to your doorstep, and our dedicated fertility team is here to answer any questions you may have before your trip.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that should only grow in the uterus implants and grows elsewhere. It can cause significant pain in some cases and is often a factor in female infertility.

Various forms of pain relief and fertility treatment can help address endometriosis symptoms and related health complications. Here’s what to know about the condition’s causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Endometriosis: A Leading and Treatable Cause of Female Infertility

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that should only grow in the uterus implants and grows elsewhere. It can cause significant pain in some cases and is often a factor in female infertility.

Various forms of pain relief and fertility treatment can help address endometriosis symptoms and related health complications. Here’s what to know about the condition’s causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

The endometrium is the tissue that typically lines the lining of the uterus. Endometriosis occurs when this type of tissue grows outside of the uterus, most commonly in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and lining of the pelvic cavity. It may also grow in the intestines, rectum, bladder, vagina, cervix, or vulva. In extremely rare cases, it may be found outside of the pelvic area.

Just like endometrial tissue that grows normally in the uterine lining, the abnormal tissue that characterizes endometriosis thickens and bleeds during each menstrual cycle. However, whereas normal endometrial tissue is shed with the cycle, the abnormal tissue cannot leave the body. This can lead to inflammation and scarring of the surrounding tissue, as well as adhesions that bind the pelvic organs to one another.

In cases of endometriosis where tissue grows in the ovaries, the condition may lead to the development of cysts in the ovaries.

There is a spectrum of severity of endometriosis cases, defined by the amount of excess tissue and resulting cysts, scar tissue, or adhesions. The level of pain, which varies by individual, does not always correlate to the stage or severity of the condition. Pain typically peaks during a menstrual period.

The specific causes of endometriosis have not been identified, but the medical community believes that the following factors may contribute to its development:

Retrograde or reverse menstruation, in which endometrial tissue flows backwards through the fallopian tubes and into the abdomen during a menstrual cycle

Transformation of the cells that line the inside of the abdomen into endometrial-like tissue as the result of hormone or immune factors

Transformation of embryonic cells into endometrial-like tissue during puberty as the result of hormone factors

Attachment of endometrial cells to an incision during surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy or c-section

Transport of endometrial cells to other parts of the body via blood vessels or lymphatic fluid

Issues with the immune system that keep the body from destroying abnormal endometrial tissue

In addition, the following risk factors are often linked to endometriosis:

Getting your first menstrual cycle at an early age

Having an abnormally short menstrual cycle (e.g., less than 21 days)

Abnormally heavy menstrual periods lasting beyond seven days

Other health conditions that prevent the flow of menstrual blood during a menstrual period

There is also evidence that endometriosis may have a genetic component. You may have a higher risk of developing it if you have a mother, sister, or aunt with the condition.

Common symptoms of endometriosis include:

Pain, especially severe menstrual cramps in the abdomen or lower back

Painful urination or bowel movements during menstrual periods

Gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea

Endometriosis can look very different from one individual to another, with varying experiences of symptoms. In some cases, the condition may not be accompanied by any noticeable symptoms.

How endometriosis affects female fertility

Endometriosis is a leading cause of female infertility, as abnormal growth of endometrial tissue can block the fallopian tubes, preventing the fertilization of an egg. It accounts for 24-50% of all female infertility cases, and one-third to one-half of individuals with the condition experience difficulty conceiving.

In mild or moderate cases of endometriosis, surgery to remove adhesions, cysts, and scar tissue is all that is needed to restore fertility. In other cases, additional procedures or fertility treatment may be required.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is critical to effectively treating the condition. However, the diagnosis process can be lengthy, with multiple steps, as symptoms frequently overlap with those of ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

An evaluation for endometriosis begins with a conversation about your health history. Several tests may be used during the diagnostic process, including the following.

A transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound, which provides images of your reproductive organs to help your doctor identify cysts potentially related to endometriosis

A laparoscopy, a procedure that inserts a small camera through the abdomen with the goal of directly identifying endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. This is the only procedure that can definitively confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis.

Blog

What to Consider Before Freezing Your Eggs

What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?

How to Navigate Common IVF Side Effects

A Guide to Traveling During Fertility Treatment

Endometriosis: A Leading and Treatable Cause of Female Infertility

How Alto Lowers the Cost of Fertility Treatment Through Better Medication Management

AMH Testing in Fertility Treatment

Infertility, Explained

A Guide to Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ Fertility Medication Savings Programs

Fertility Preservation Options After a Cancer Diagnosis

Top Questions to Ask Your Fertility Clinic

A Financial Planning Guide for Egg Freezing

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