ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Endometriosis and fertility London Women’s Clinic explains why early conversations can make all the difference F or many women, endometriosis is not defined by a single diagnosis, but time. Time spent doubting their own pain. be valuable – not to rush decisions, but to facilitate an informed choice. A fertility health assessment can offer
insight without obligation. Typically, it involves a combination of hormone blood tests, ultrasound scans and a detailed discussion of reproductive history. For some women the outcome is reassurance, while for others it provides context, with a clearer picture of their ovarian reserve, timing and the options available to them. Egg freezing is one option that may feature in these conversations. For women with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis, freezing their eggs may be considered as a way of preserving future choice, particularly if symptoms are progressing or surgery may impact ovarian function. It is not a recommendation for everyone, nor a guarantee, but for some it offers hope and flexibility rather than fear. Fertility for today Today, fertility conversations also reflect a broader understanding of families. Solo mothers by choice, same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ individuals might face unique considerations, whether that’s donor eggs or sperm, surrogacy pathways or IVF.
Time spent being reassured that symptoms are ‘normal’. Time spent waiting – often for years – before answers begin to emerge. In the UK, it can take close to a decade from first seeking help to getting a diagnosis, a delay that reflects not only the complexity of the condition, but the historic underfunding of women’s health research. That delay matters, not because endometriosis always affects fertility, but because it can be associated with fertility challenges in some cases. For many women, those unanswered years overlap with the very period when fertility planning might have felt relevant, had the conversation been offered earlier. What it means for you Having endometriosis does not naturally. However, inflammation, scarring or delayed support might make conception more challenging for some. This uncertainty is precisely why early conversations can automatically mean fertility will be affected, and many women conceive
At London Women’s Clinic (LWC) Cambridge, care is consultant-led and personalised, with a focus on informed choice and transparency. While consultations, scans and blood tests take place locally, procedures such as egg collection and embryo transfer are carried out at the clinic’s established centre on Harley Street, allowing for local continuity of care alongside highly specialised treatment. The clinic also supports women who later return to use frozen eggs, a reminder that fertility planning is about keeping doors open, not rushing through them. “Many women come to us not because they are ready for treatment, but because they want clarity,” says Dr Arthi Thangavel, clinical director at LWC Cambridge. “Early conversations help women understand how endometriosis may – or may not – intersect with their fertility, and to plan in a way that feels right for them.” For women navigating suspected or diagnosed endometriosis, fertility does not need to be an immediate concern to be a valid one. Sometimes, knowing where you stand is enough. IN SAFE HANDS Dr Arthi Thangavel (above) is the clinical director at LWC Cambridge, which can be found on Mawson Road
Early conversations can be valuable – not to rush decisions, but to facilitate an informed choice
For more, visit londonwomensclinic.com or call 01223 080 069 to start a conversation and better understand your fertility health
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