Fertility
Can I use medical therapy while trying to get pregnant?
The short answer
Hormonal therapies for endometriosis are usually paused while you’re trying to get pregnant because they typically suppress ovulation. Symptom relief during this time can focus on non-hormonal options aligned with your fertility goals and timing.
Most medical therapies for endometriosis symptom control are hormonal and typically suppress ovulation. For that reason, they’re usually paused when you’re actively trying to conceive, and they generally don’t increase the chances of conceiving without assistance.
If you need symptom relief while trying to get pregnant, our team can help you focus on non-hormonal options and align your plan with your fertility goals and timing. We can also talk through when it makes sense to pause medication, how to manage symptoms during that time, and what next steps may be appropriate if pregnancy isn’t happening as expected.
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Trying to Conceive with Endometriosis?
Our specialists can guide you in balancing symptom relief with your fertility goals using non-hormonal options. We'll help you plan the best approach to maximize your chances of pregnancy while managing your symptoms.
Questions people ask next
All fertility questionsWhat treatments help pelvic pain when trying to conceive?
Pelvic floor physical therapy and other non-hormonal pain strategies can help manage pelvic pain while trying to conceive, with medications tailored to your cycle and symptoms. If endometriosis is causing pain, excision surgery can be an option in selected cases.
Do hormones or birth control treat endometriosis?
Hormonal birth control and other hormone therapies can reduce endometriosis symptoms, but they usually don’t treat the disease itself. They don’t remove endometriosis lesions or restore normal anatomy, so pain can return when you stop them.
How is infertility from endometriosis treated?
Treatment depends on how endometriosis is affecting your fertility. Excision surgery can remove disease and restore anatomy when fertility is physically blocked. Fertility treatment is sometimes the next step after surgery and sometimes the first step.
Can new endometriosis treatments preserve fertility or work with IVF?
Some emerging treatments are being studied to reduce endometriosis symptoms without prolonged ovarian suppression, which may matter for conception or IVF. Trials often require contraception and washout periods that can affect fertility treatment timing.
Further reading
Trying to Conceive With Endometriosis Without Making Symptoms Explode
Discover how to navigate pregnancy with endometriosis while managing symptoms. Explore safe options and recent research on fertility and treatment.
Non-hormonal Options for Endometriosis Pain: What’s Actually Worth Trying?
Discover evidence-based nonhormonal treatments for endometriosis pain. Find options you can try now for effective symptom management.
Making a Fertility Plan: Working with Your Endometriosis Care Team
Learn how to create a patient-centered fertility plan with your endometriosis care team, addressing symptoms, treatment, and desired timelines.
