Donor Tissue Counseling
Endometrial Adhesions & Fertility
Endometrial adhesions are areas of scar tissue within the uterine cavity. This page explains potential causes, how adhesions may affect menstruation, implantation, and fertility, and how they may be diagnosed and treated.
Summary:
- Endometrial adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form within the uterine cavity.
- They may develop after uterine procedures, pregnancy complications, infection, or other uterine injury.
- Depending on their extent, adhesions may affect menstrual flow, implantation, fertility, or pregnancy.
- Evaluation may include saline sonography, hysteroscopy, ultrasound, or other uterine imaging.
- Hysteroscopic treatment may be recommended when adhesions are clinically significant.
What Are Endometrial Adhesions?
Endometrial adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form inside the uterine cavity. More extensive or clinically significant intrauterine adhesions may be described as Asherman’s syndrome and can sometimes be associated with light periods or absent periods.
Endometrial Adhesions & Fertility
Adhesions can affect fertility when they alter the uterine cavity or interfere with healthy endometrial development and implantation. Their significance depends on location and severity.
How Endometrial Adhesions Are Evaluated
Saline sonography or hysteroscopy may be used to evaluate the uterine cavity. When treatment is appropriate, hysteroscopy can allow a physician to visualize and divide adhesions directly.
Common Endometrial Adhesion Questions
Can endometrial adhesions cause infertility?
Significant adhesions may alter the uterine cavity or endometrium and can interfere with implantation or pregnancy.
Are endometrial adhesions the same as Asherman’s syndrome?
Asherman’s syndrome generally refers to clinically significant intrauterine adhesions, while adhesions can vary widely in extent and severity.
How are intrauterine adhesions treated?
Hysteroscopic surgery may be used to divide adhesions when treatment is appropriate.
Understanding Endometrial Adhesions in the Context of Your Fertility
Endometrial adhesions vary significantly in extent and reproductive impact. Identifying where adhesions are located and how much of the uterine cavity they affect can help determine whether treatment is needed. Spring Fertility can evaluate the uterine environment alongside your broader fertility picture and help you understand what steps, if any, may support your family-building plans.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a consultation with Spring Fertility to discuss your options.