My Endometriosis and Infertility Story: How I Healed and Conceived Naturally
Endometriosis and infertility often go hand in hand, but not always in the way we’ve been told. Some of us have detrimental damage to our reproductive organs that requires reproductive technologies like IVF. Others of us may need surgical removal of lesions. Some may need progesterone therapy, others pelvic floor therapy, many will need diet. For some of us we're actually dfine; but our partners' sperm is what needs help. Truly, there isn't a one-size-fits-all fertility protocol.
Finally pregnant, 2.5 years after we started trying.
However, this post s about my personal journey—what I did, how my body responded, and what ultimately led to my pregnancy. If you’re navigating endometriosis-related infertility, I hope this story offers both hope and ideas you can bring to your own healing journey.
What Causes Infertility in Endometriosis?
Many doctors talk about how endometriosis causes infertility, but not always why. Scar tissue from past inflammation may impact the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Some women have pelvic adhesions that distort the uterus, or endometriosis lesions, creating inflammation near the ovaries or bowel. All of these can reduce fertility, often without showing up clearly in standard labs or scans.
However, there are many other reasons many of us, perhaps, will deal with "unexplained infertility." This means you've been trying for over a year withou success, even though you know (through investigation) that your fallopian tubes are open and all signs for proper fertilization and implantation are a go. This is one of the reasons endometriosis-associated infertility is so complex to treat—it’s rarely just one issue.
These reasons can include (but are not limited to): inflammation (localized and/or systemic), nervous system dysfunction and stress, poor sleep, underlying infections, dysbiosis, nutrient deficiencies, and more. Yes, may issues can plague those of us with chronic illness. In my case, it kind of felt like all of them.
Diagnosed with Endometriosis, Bracing for Infertility
To lend to my own nervous system dysfunction and stress, for years I was told by doctors that pregnancy probably wasn’t in my future. By age 30, I’d been offered a hysterectomy more than once. I’d heard every variation of “You may never have children.” These words shape your identity over time—especially when you haven’t even started trying yet.
But after my second laparoscopic surgery, my fiancé (now husband) and I decided to give it a go. Our surgeon told us the year following conservative surgical treatment is often the most fertile window, before lesions begin to grow back. So we stopped trying not to get pregnant and gave it a shot.
Understanding My Fertility (and How Little I Knew)
Despite a decade of health awareness, I was shockingly uninformed about actual fertility. Like many women (bot with and without endometriosis), I didn’t understand my menstrual cycle or how ovulation worked. I bought Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and for the first time in my life, I learned how to read my body’s fertile signs.
I quickly realized the signs weren’t looking good. My cycles were irregular, sometimes 60–90 days apart. My cervical fluid was dry or sticky, never egg-white. I had clear signs of luteal phase deficiency, including 3–5 days of spotting before every period. This kind of hormonal imbalance is common in endometriosis-associated infertility and can impair embryo implantation. Basically...
My Body Wasn’t Ready to Carry a Pregnancy
Looking back, it made sense. My body was undernourished, in pain, and constantly inflamed. I had chronic pelvic pain, shoulder and knee issues, and couldn’t keep on weight. I was constantly cold, tired, and achy. I didn’t have the proper ovarian function or internal environment to support a baby.
Why IVF Isn’t Always the First (or Only) Step
If I had followed the conventional route, I likely would have jumped straight to in vitro fertilization (IVF). And for some infertile patients, IVF can absolutely be the right path. However, there are so many horror stories now of those of us with endo (or other infertility issues) that don't have a physical barrier to getting pregnant--something that IVF can easily override. Think: fallopian tubes that are scarred closed and sperm can't get to an egg.
In my case, and many of our cases, we should be able to get pregnant (technically) but we aren't for some other reason. I really want to find my reason for a few reasons:
We know that a healthier body supports a healthier pregnancy and makes healthier babies. Boy is that a great investment in the future. I wanted a healthy body first for this reason!
Then, if pregnancy didn't happen, I could consider IVF with a healthy body. This would mean a much better success rate, a BIG bonus when IVF is far from cheap.
So I decided to try other tools first—like deep nourishment, movement, and nervous system retraining.
These things gave me a chance to heal and reconnect with my body. For others, IVF may be necessary, but pairing it with a fertility diet and body preparation can significantly increase your clinical pregnancy rate and reduce complications. This combination is often missing in mainstream reproductive medicine.
The Nutrient-Dense Fertility Diet That Changed Everything
Enter Nourishing Traditions, the ancestral nutrition book that flipped my food world upside-down. I ditched the low-fat, green-juice-heavy wellness aesthetic and started eating what traditional cultures thrived on: organ meats, bone broth, raw dairy, cod liver oil, and fermented foods.
These foods are rich in fat-soluble vitamins, key for ovarian reserve, endometrial receptivity, and healing from inflammation. I started a six-week gut-healing protocol followed by the Weston Price fertility diet. This nutrient-dense approach supported hormone production and helped reduce inflammation (with my big goal to also reduce inflammation in my pelvic cavity).
What I Ate Daily to Support Fertility
9 servings fresh vegetables, raw or cooked
4 cups raw milk or kefir (if tolerated)
4 Tbsp grass-fed butter
1/2–1 cup homemade fermented vegetables
1 cup bone broth
2–3 eggs from pastured hens
75-100g high-quality animal protein per day (with fat)
2 tsp fermented cod liver oil
Weekly: 6 oz liver, 2–3 servings sardines or roe
This nutrient load helped address hidden micronutrient deficiencies that commonly affect infertile women—especially those with endometriosis that often flies under the radar.
A typical "before" meal. Looks healthy in theory, but really loaded with sugar, low-fat, blood sugar rollercoaster. This is a dessert disguised as a meal.
A typical "after meal": grassfed full fat beef with raw cheddar and fermented ketchup, homemade fermented veggies, raw carrot and beet salad dressed with flax oil and balsamic.
Rebuilding Pelvic Blood Flow and Alignment
At the same time, I began working on my pelvic anatomy. Years of sitting and poor mechanics left me with restricted blood flow, weak core muscles, and misalignment in my spine and pelvis. Through alignment work (thank you, Katy Bowman), walking 5 miles a day, and a Rolfing 10-series, I slowly restored blood flow to my uterus.
Improved movement = improved circulation = a warmer, more receptive pelvic environment. This had a huge impact on reducing my pelvic pain and changing my cycle quality.
Addressing Stress and Unexplained Infertility
Stress is often dismissed, but it plays a huge role in unexplained infertility. I implemented mindset work and visualization (including the Fertility and Bloom meditation series), practiced breathwork, and focused on telling my body: It’s safe to get pregnant now.
I also stopped all stimulants—no more caffeine or alcohol—and that was the exact cycle I conceived.
At my worst. I couldn't keep on weight, my hair literally snapped off in back, my muscles wasted, my endo terrible. My body wouldn’t (couldn’t) get pregnant here,
After 2 years of “body building” through diet and lifestyle, I was a new stronger, healthier, truly vibrant person! Worth eating the liver, I promise. I was pregnant a month after this photo.
When Everything Lined Up… But Pregnancy Didn’t Happen
Even when your cycles look great and your cervical fluid turns fertile, conception can still take time. For us, it took nearly two years, including an early miscarriage.
In the end, what helped me achieve pregnancy wasn’t just one thing. It was layering nutrient repletion, body mechanics, emotional healing, and mindset reprogramming. This is why medical treatment alone isn’t always enough—and why reproductive medicine should make more room for these tools.
Final Advice for Women with Endometriosis Facing Infertility
Heal your gut and restore nutrient levels before you start trying! Build a healthy body that can support a healthy pregnancy
Learn about endometrial receptivity and how inflammation affects it. If your egg can't implant, that's a BIG problem.
Fix your alignment to restore pelvic blood flow
Consider surgical treatment if you have severe disease or even minimal endometriosis and are having trouble conceiving—but know it’s not the whole solution
Start addressing emotional blocks and mental beliefs around fertility
If you're considering in vitro fertilization or assisted reproductive technology, improving your diet and body health for 3–6 months beforehand can improve pregnancy rates dramatically. Many clinics recommend this, but few guide you through what it actually looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get pregnant naturally with endometriosis?
Yes—many women with endometriosis do. But addressing inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and endometrial tissue overgrowth naturally improves your odds.
What’s the link between endometriosis and infertility?
Endometriosis can impact fertility through scar tissue, inflammation, hormonal disruption, and distorted pelvic anatomy. It often causes luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome, affects ovarian function, and impairs embryo implantation.
Does IVF work for endometriosis patients?
It can, especially when paired with a fertility diet and postoperative medical therapy if needed. But many infertile patients benefit from holistic preparation first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endometriosis and Infertility
Can you get pregnant naturally with endometriosis?
Yes. While many women are told that endometriosis and infertility go hand in hand, there are many stories of natural conception—especially when hormonal balance, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies are addressed.
What are common causes of endometriosis-related infertility?
Scar tissue, pelvic adhesions, distorted pelvic anatomy, and inflammation can all interfere with conception. Hormonal factors like progesterone resistance and ovulation disorders are also common.
Does IVF work for women with endometriosis?
It can be effective, especially when combined with preconception care like a fertility diet and inflammation-reducing therapies. In vitro fertilization is not always the first step but can be helpful when natural methods aren’t successful.
How does endometriosis affect embryo implantation?
Inflammation and poor endometrial receptivity can impair the body’s ability to support a fertilized egg. Nutritional and hormonal interventions can often help.
What is the best treatment approach for endometriosis-related infertility?
A combination of medical treatment (like surgery), nutritional therapy, movement/alignment, and emotional work can be very effective. Every woman’s body is different, so the path varies.
Disclaimer:
This blog is a personal account of my experience with endometriosis and infertility. It is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medical or fertility care.