{"id":31123,"date":"2026-04-14T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=31123"},"modified":"2026-04-14T08:46:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:46:17","slug":"pregnancy-with-endometriosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/pregnancy-with-endometriosis\/","title":{"rendered":"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), endometriosis affects nearly 10% of women. This disease, long underrecognized, nevertheless concerns many expectant mothers. What about pregnancy when you have endometriosis?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is endometriosis and how does it manifest?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It can be explained in particular by what is known as \u201cretrograde menstruation\u201d: during menstruation, endometrial cells migrate from the uterine cavity and implant on a fallopian tube, an ovary, within the uterine muscle (myometrium), on adjacent ligaments, or in the abdominal area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endometriosis can present with various symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">abdominal, pelvic and\/or ligament pain,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain when urinating or having a bowel movement,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dysmenorrhea (very painful periods),<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse),<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fertility issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These symptoms can be difficult for patients to live with because they often have a strong impact on daily life. This list is not exhaustive. Endometriosis is not always painful, so some women may not experience all of these symptoms.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31098\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/asian-woman-seated-on-a-home-couch-experiences-abd-2026-03-24-05-31-32-utc.webp\" alt=\"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/asian-woman-seated-on-a-home-couch-experiences-abd-2026-03-24-05-31-32-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/asian-woman-seated-on-a-home-couch-experiences-abd-2026-03-24-05-31-32-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/asian-woman-seated-on-a-home-couch-experiences-abd-2026-03-24-05-31-32-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the symptoms of endometriosis during pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During pregnancy, symptoms of endometriosis tend to disappear or significantly decrease. This is because menstruation stops and the hormonal environment appears to help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes the opposite effect is observed, leading to the appearance of symptoms that the pregnant woman had never or rarely experienced before. In some cases, symptoms are present (or even more intense) during the first trimester of pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can be explained by changes in the uterus as well as the relaxation of ligaments. Endometriosis nodules shift and may trigger sharp pain. Reassuringly, thanks to the suspension of menstrual cycles and hormonal influence, symptoms usually ease during the second and third trimesters in most cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good to know: if you are planning a baby and have endometriosis, you can schedule a preconception consultation to discuss it with a specialist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/young-woman-suffering-from-abdominal-pain-while-si-2026-03-10-22-23-17-utc.webp\" alt=\"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/young-woman-suffering-from-abdominal-pain-while-si-2026-03-10-22-23-17-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/young-woman-suffering-from-abdominal-pain-while-si-2026-03-10-22-23-17-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/young-woman-suffering-from-abdominal-pain-while-si-2026-03-10-22-23-17-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How is endometriosis treated?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At present, unfortunately, there is no treatment that can permanently cure endometriosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthcare professional, whether a doctor or a midwife, can however offer solutions to relieve symptoms. Treatment generally relies on anti-inflammatory medications, most often combined with hormonal contraception. These approaches aim to reduce pain, often by stopping menstruation, and to limit the progression of the disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce the intensity of pain. Regular physical activity is also recommended to improve your well-being and daily comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some complementary approaches may also provide relief, such as osteopathy, acupuncture, or yoga.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, comprehensive, multidisciplinary care is often necessary. If prescribed pain treatments are not sufficient, referral to a specialized pain management center may be considered. This consultation can help adjust treatments and, in some cases, suggest the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device, which may help reduce pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31105\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/unhappy-woman-in-painful-expression-suffering-from-2026-03-13-05-52-11-utc.webp\" alt=\"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/unhappy-woman-in-painful-expression-suffering-from-2026-03-13-05-52-11-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/unhappy-woman-in-painful-expression-suffering-from-2026-03-13-05-52-11-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/unhappy-woman-in-painful-expression-suffering-from-2026-03-13-05-52-11-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>How can you get pregnant when you have endometriosis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people think that endometriosis means infertility or even sterility. However, it is entirely possible to have a child even if you have this condition. According to the French Health Insurance system, infertility affects 30 to 40% of women with endometriosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process of conception may not always be easy for affected women. The stages of reproduction can sometimes be disrupted. Women may face ovulation disorders, issues with gamete transport or implantation, or difficulty with the meeting of the egg and sperm due to inflammation of the peritoneal fluid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medically assisted reproduction (MAR), also known as assisted reproductive technology (ART), is an alternative to overcome these challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here are the different assisted reproduction techniques:<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>Artificial insemination in cases of endometriosis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the most well-known ART technique because it is simpler and therefore less expensive. It is called insemination because the partner\u2019s (or donor\u2019s) sperm is collected and prepared in a laboratory before being directly injected into the woman\u2019s uterus during ovulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To improve the chances of success, the woman usually undergoes treatment beforehand to stimulate ovulation and produce follicles that can be fertilized.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>In vitro fertilization (IVF) in cases of endometriosis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During in vitro fertilization, the meeting between the egg and sperm takes place in a laboratory. Ovarian stimulation is performed using a high-dose hormonal treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mature follicles are then retrieved and transferred to the laboratory, where the egg and sperm are brought into contact (outside the woman\u2019s uterus). The embryo is then transferred into the uterus 2 to 5 days later.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in cases of endometriosis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this type of IVF, a sperm cell is directly injected into the oocyte. This technique is most often used for male infertility issues but may also be chosen in the context of endometriosis. Typically, the sperm most likely to fertilize the egg is selected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These ART techniques are fully covered by the French Health Insurance system up to age 43. The only conditions are: not exceeding 6 artificial inseminations and 4 IVF attempts until a pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31109\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/uterus-asian-woman-holding-human-anatomy-model-2026-03-25-09-51-19-utc.webp\" alt=\"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/uterus-asian-woman-holding-human-anatomy-model-2026-03-25-09-51-19-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/uterus-asian-woman-holding-human-anatomy-model-2026-03-25-09-51-19-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/uterus-asian-woman-holding-human-anatomy-model-2026-03-25-09-51-19-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>What are the risks during pregnancy with endometriosis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Miscarriages or premature birth\u2026 there is a lot of discussion about risks during pregnancy with endometriosis. <\/span><b>But what are the actual risks?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no definitive consensus regarding the risk of spontaneous miscarriage in women with endometriosis. Only one INSERM study observed such a risk, while other studies have not confirmed this difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, it is generally considered that there is no increased risk of miscarriage for women with this condition. The same applies to premature birth: according to several studies, the risks are not higher than for other pregnancies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes it is not the pregnancy itself that raises concerns but rather childbirth. However, once again, childbirth is not riskier than for any other pregnancy. Pregnancy may improve painful endometriosis symptoms, but it has not been shown to have a protective effect on pain related to contractions and delivery, as this pain is linked to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">uterine contractions,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cervical dilation,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tissue stretching,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and neurological mechanisms of childbirth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It does not directly depend on endometriosis-related inflammation.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31113\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/the-doctor-palpates-the-patient-s-stomach-in-the-m-2026-03-16-06-30-12-utc.webp\" alt=\"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/the-doctor-palpates-the-patient-s-stomach-in-the-m-2026-03-16-06-30-12-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/the-doctor-palpates-the-patient-s-stomach-in-the-m-2026-03-16-06-30-12-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/the-doctor-palpates-the-patient-s-stomach-in-the-m-2026-03-16-06-30-12-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>What does pregnancy monitoring involve if you have endometriosis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy monitoring for patients with endometriosis is similar to that of other pregnancies. Reassuringly, it still receives particular attention. In cases of pain during pregnancy, ultrasound examinations performed by your general practitioner, gynecologist, or midwife (such as trimester ultrasounds) may help identify the source of the pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The healthcare professional will specifically look for placenta previa, a pregnancy complication more common in women with endometriosis (especially in deep forms and after surgery). In this case, the placenta is positioned unusually, near or covering the cervix.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31117\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gynecologist-consultation-for-young-woman-patient-2026-03-24-03-23-17-utc.webp\" alt=\"How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gynecologist-consultation-for-young-woman-patient-2026-03-24-03-23-17-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gynecologist-consultation-for-young-woman-patient-2026-03-24-03-23-17-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gynecologist-consultation-for-young-woman-patient-2026-03-24-03-23-17-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens with endometriosis postpartum?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After childbirth, the postpartum period begins, including postpartum contractions (\u201cafterpains\u201d), which help the uterus gradually return to its original size. These usually occur within hours after birth and can last from 3 to 7 days. They are not necessarily worsened by endometriosis. They are often accompanied by lochia, vaginal bleeding that may last up to about two weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The choice to breastfeed is personal. When exclusive, it may help reduce pain in some patients, particularly due to the temporary absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), which keeps endometriosis somewhat \u201cat rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, when menstruation returns after childbirth, pain may reappear. It can then be helpful to discuss this with your healthcare provider to consider appropriate treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain contraceptive methods, such as the progestin-only pill or the implant, may be offered as early as three weeks after childbirth. Compatible with breastfeeding, they often suppress menstruation and help reduce menstrual pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, medical support and appropriate care are essential during this period. Postpartum pain combined with endometriosis may increase the risk of postnatal depression. It is therefore important to seek medical advice if pain persists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, the vast majority of pregnancies with endometriosis go very well. Since the menstrual cycle is suspended, pregnancy often helps relieve endometriosis symptoms for many expectant mothers. Do not hesitate to consult your healthcare professionals if you experience pain or have questions related to your condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>**<\/p>\n<p>Photo credits: Sorapop | leszekglasner | prathanchorruuangsak | chormail | buzmakovatatyana | Peakstock<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), endometriosis affects nearly 10% of women. This disease, long underrecognized, nevertheless concerns many expectant mothers. What about pregnancy when you have endometriosis? How does pregnancy progress with endometriosis? Let\u2019s take a closer look. What is endometriosis and how does it manifest? Endometriosis is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":10977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[142,156],"class_list":["post-31123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-timeline","tag-pregnancy-pains"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31123"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31126,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31123\/revisions\/31126"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}