Can Endometriosis Make It Difficult to Have Children?

My 16-year-old daughter has endometriosis. Will this make it hard for her to have children later in life?
– Barbara

When a woman has endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus starts growing outside the uterus. The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain.

Endometriosis (en-doh-mee-tree-OH-sis) can make it hard for some women to have children. Fortunately, doctors are finding and treating endometriosis earlier — even in teen girls. This can make a woman less likely to have problems with getting pregnant in the future.

Talk to your daughter's doctor about her treatment options. The key is to work with a doctor who understands endometriosis and is sensitive to your family's needs and concerns in treating it.