Endometriosis is a condition caused by leakage of the uterine lining cells into the abdominal cavity during menstruation, and has been widely touted as a primary cause of infertility. How significant really is it?

Severe endometriosis can cause infertility. However, women with mild to moderate endometriosis (the vast majority) conceive as readily with treatment as without treatment for it. Endometriosis is frequently used as a "diagnosis" in cases of infertility because insurance companies will cover treatment only if a "pathologic" diagnosis is provided. However, there is no valid research indicating that treatment of mild to moderate endometriosis results in greater conception rates. Nonetheless, millions of women undergo unnecessary and unhelpful surgery and medications for "minimal" endometriosis which, unfortunately, does nothing to improve their pregnancy rate.