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Endometriosis & Fertility – How Laparoscopy Can Change the Game
Endometriosis affects millions of women globally, often silently impacting their health, quality of life, and ability to conceive. If you’re facing unexplained infertility, painful periods, or chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis may be the hidden reason. Thankfully, with advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment like laparoscopy, there’s real hope for relief—and a successful pregnancy.
At Indira IVF Centre, West Patel Nagar, Dr. Nishtha Handa, fertility specialist and laparoscopic surgeon, helps women uncover and treat endometriosis with precision and care. This blog breaks down how laparoscopy plays a crucial role in managing endometriosis and restoring fertility.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus—on ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel, or pelvic walls. This misplaced tissue behaves like uterine lining: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds each month—causing inflammation, scar tissue, cysts (endometriomas), and adhesions.
Endometriosis can affect fertility in several ways:
● Inflammation and scarring may damage eggs or interfere with ovulation.
● Blocked fallopian tubes prevent the sperm and egg from meeting.
● Poor egg quality and hormonal imbalance can hinder implantation.
● Severe forms can even distort pelvic anatomy.
Even mild endometriosis may reduce natural fertility. Many women are diagnosed only after multiple failed attempts at conception or failed IUI/IVF cycles.
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to both diagnose and treat endometriosis. It allows Dr. Nishtha Handa to directly visualise the pelvic cavity using a small camera inserted through tiny abdominal incisions. She can identify even small or hidden endometrial implants, remove or cauterise them, and free up adhesions—restoring the normal function of reproductive organs.
Unlike ultrasounds or MRI, laparoscopy provides clear visual confirmation and immediate treatment in the same procedure. It’s especially useful for patients who:
● Have chronic pelvic pain
● Have unexplained infertility
● Have not responded to medication or IUI
● Have ovarian cysts (endometriomas)
The laparoscopy procedure is done under general anaesthesia and usually takes 30–90 minutes depending on the severity. Through 2–3 small incisions, Dr. Handa uses fine instruments to:
● Examine the uterus, ovaries, tubes
● Remove endometriotic tissue
● Drain or excise cysts
● Release stuck organs and remove scar tissue
Most patients can go home the same day or the next. Recovery is quick, with minimal pain and tiny scars.
Once endometriosis is removed, fertility often improves significantly—especially in women with Stage I or II (mild to moderate) disease. Dr. Nishtha Handa may recommend:
● Trying natural conception for 6–12 months post-surgery
● IUI, if tubes are open and ovulation is normal
● IVF if egg reserve is low or male factor is involved
Laparoscopy can also improve IVF success by clearing inflammation and making the uterus more receptive for embryo implantation
In Stage III or IV (moderate to severe) endometriosis, there may be widespread adhesions, large cysts, or tubal damage. In such cases, laparoscopy helps:
● Preserve ovarian tissue
● Reduce pain
● Improve IVF outcomes
● Avoid emergency complications (like ruptured cysts)
Even in advanced cases, surgery followed by IVF can result in excellent pregnancy rates under expert care.
💬 Dr. Nishtha Handa’s Approach
Dr. Nishtha Handa believes in early detection, evidence-based treatment, and personalised fertility planning. With her training in Minimal Access Surgery (FMAS) and experience in advanced fertility management, she offers:
● Expert laparoscopic evaluation and surgery
● Fertility-friendly treatment planning
● Hormonal and lifestyle guidance post-surgery
● IVF, IUI, and ovulation monitoring as needed
Her goal is not just to relieve pain, but to restore your ability to conceive and live symptom-free.
✅ When Should You Consider Laparoscopy?
You should consider laparoscopy for endometriosis if:
● You have painful periods, pain during sex, or chronic pelvic pain
● You’ve been trying to conceive for 6–12 months without success
● You have known endometriomas or cysts
● Other treatments haven’t worked
An early laparoscopy can make a significant difference before damage becomes severe
Dr. Nishtha Handa is a highly accomplished and compassionate Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and Fertility Specialist based in New Delhi. She holds an MBBS and MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, along with a DNB, and has pursued advanced fellowships in Minimal Access Surgery and Reproductive Medicine. Trained at ABVIMS & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi, she is committed to providing holistic and evidence-based care to women across all stages of life.
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