Researchers in their new study confirm that endometriosis is linked to infertility. There has long been an union between the two, but now research shows one of the reasons why the disease may cause infertility.
Doctors worked with only seven patients, but concluded that endometriosis causes a certain action that decreases fertility. The researchers examined the peritoneal fluid, fluid located near the fallopian tubes. They then studied the effect it had on the tiny hairs inside the fallopian tubes that push the egg toward the sperm. They found endometriosis greatly changes the activity of the tiny hairs.
The movement through the fallopian tubes was slowed by about 15 percent in the women who had endometriosis. It slowed even more with the passing of time. The doctors conclude this change is what may increase infertility. They suspect there may be a few other mechanisms that contribute to infertility as well and they suggest perhaps loose material in the body may also be slowing down the movement within the tubes.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and frequently infertility. Tissue typically grows in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis, but it can occur in other areas of the body as well.