Endometriosis after pregnancy: Real stories and what to expect
There is no cure for endometriosis. Though some research suggests pregnancy may help relieve endometriosis symptoms, experiences vary from person to person.
Endometriosis can also affect conception and pregnancy outcomes, which may affect a person’s family planning.
This article explains how pregnancy may affect endometriosis symptoms, how to manage endometriosis in the postpartum period, and how the condition may affect a person’s family planning.
A 2024 review states that endometriosis can adversely affect natural and assisted conception. People with endometriosis find it more challenging to become pregnant due to differences in egg quality and embryo formation, and other potential issues.
However, despite these challenges, pregnancy with endometriosis is possible for some people.
A 2018 review notes that, historically, research links pregnancy and nursing with improvements in endometriosis symptoms, but suggests this is controversial. It also notes that more recent research links endometriosis with less favorable pregnancy outcomes.
Decidualization, which refers to the changes in uterine cells to support a pregnancy, may change the growth and structure of endometriosis lesions.
However, the review authors emphasize that endometriosis symptoms vary from person to person, and no evidence currently suggests that pregnancy will reduce endometriosis lesions in every person.
“Pregnancy offered what felt like a reprieve — a rare, almost disorienting quiet in my body. The pain that had dictated so much of my daily life softened, the inflammation settled, and for the first time in years, I could move through a day without that constant undercurrent of tension.
“Still, I never saw it as a cure — more like a pause. My body hadn’t changed; it was simply focused on something else for a while. That period gave me a glimpse of what ease could feel like, and I think it changed how I approached my body after.”
Since experiences of changes to endometriosis symptoms during pregnancy vary, people may also experience different things after pregnancy.
Some people may have no noticeable change in symptoms, while others may experience worsening symptoms or symptoms that appear to worsen after a period of relief.
On top of this, people may experience challenges related to recovery from the pregnancy itself, which can differ from person to person depending on the type of birth they had and any potential pregnancy complications.
Endometriosis treatments may vary depending on a person’s symptoms. A person’s treatment plan may also evolve after pregnancy, depending on the person’s pregnancy experience. Potential treatments include:
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It is beneficial to speak with a healthcare professional before using alternative therapies. They can ensure a person stays safe and that the therapies do not interfere with other treatments.
People
A change or worsening of endometriosis symptoms in this period may also affect a person’s mental health.
It is important for people to speak with a healthcare professional if they experience mental health challenges after pregnancy. A doctor may prescribe medications or refer someone to a counselor.
“[My symptoms] returned gradually, almost like a memory resurfacing. Around nine months postpartum, I started feeling the familiar heaviness again — dull aches that eventually sharpened. It wasn’t dramatic, just steady. I tried to meet it differently this time, with less anger and more acceptance. My body had done something miraculous, and I owed it some grace, even in pain.
“When symptoms began to return, I felt a quiet grief — like a chapter I’d hoped had closed was reopening. But motherhood reframed that pain. It didn’t erase it, but it gave it context. I found a new kind of patience with myself, even in moments of exhaustion or frustration.”
Endometriosis can make it harder for a person to get pregnant, both for natural and assisted conception.
On top of this, it may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. According to a 2025 study, endometriosis may lead to a higher risk of the following outcomes:
Additionally, certain endometriosis treatments, such as hormone therapy, may be unsuitable for people who want to get pregnant.
Working with a healthcare professional or team can maximize a person’s chances of a successful pregnancy with a more favorable outcome and lower risk of complications.
“Endometriosis shaped every part of our family planning. My ovarian reserve was so small that some cycles produced just one follicle. It forced me to redefine hope — not as optimism, but as endurance.
“For anyone navigating this: find a doctor who meets you where you are, emotionally as much as physically. That’s what I found, and it made all the difference. And try not to measure your journey against anyone else’s timeline. Protect your energy; it’s the one thing you can’t afford to lose.”
Small amounts of medications can pass into a person’s breast milk. Therefore, people should always consult with a doctor about whether it is safe to breastfeed when taking any medication.
Safety may vary depending on the type of endometriosis medication a person takes.
Small amounts of medications can pass into a person’s breast milk. Therefore, people should always consult with a doctor about whether it is safe to breastfeed when taking any medication.
Safety may vary depending on the type of endometriosis medication a person takes.
Endometriosis symptoms vary from person to person; each experience is unique. For some people, symptoms may worsen after pregnancy, while others may experience no change in symptoms.
Endometriosis symptoms vary from person to person; each experience is unique. For some people, symptoms may worsen after pregnancy, while others may experience no change in symptoms.
According to a 2021 observational study, hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding may help to relieve endometriosis symptoms, including pain and endometriosis lesions, for some people.
After breastfeeding, the study suggests symptoms may return, but may not always be as intense as they were before pregnancy
According to a 2021 observational study, hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding may help to relieve endometriosis symptoms, including pain and endometriosis lesions, for some people.
After breastfeeding, the study suggests symptoms may return, but may not always be as intense as they were before pregnancy
Some research suggests that pregnancy and breastfeeding may help relieve certain endometriosis symptoms. However, experiences vary from person to person, and not everyone will have symptom relief.
Additionally, endometriosis can pose challenges for conception and may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
People with endometriosis may benefit from working closely with a healthcare professional when family planning and during the postpartum period to manage any changes in their symptoms during recovery from childbirth.