Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women but does it automatically disqualify you from becoming a surrogate? The short answer is: not always. If you have endometriosis and are considering surrogacy, it’s important to understand how the condition might impact your ability to carry a pregnancy and meet medical eligibility requirements.
In this article, we’ll explore the connection between endometriosis and fertility, how it may influence your chances of being accepted as a surrogate, and what screening factors are typically considered.
Understanding Endometriosis and Its Impact on Fertility
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus. These growths are most commonly found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissues lining the pelvis. Just like the uterine lining, this tissue thickens and sheds during the menstrual cycle, but because it has no natural exit from the body, it can cause inflammation, internal bleeding, and the formation of scar tissue.
The condition affects at least 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet many go undiagnosed for years. Symptoms can vary widely. Some women experience intense pelvic pain, especially during menstruation or intercourse, while others may have little to no noticeable discomfort. According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs include painful periods, excessive bleeding, digestive issues, fatigue, and sometimes infertility.
Importantly, the severity of symptoms does not always reflect how extensive the disease is. Someone with a mild case may be in severe pain, while another person with extensive tissue growth might experience few symptoms at all.
Can You Produce Eggs with Endometriosis?
Yes, many women with endometriosis are still able to produce eggs. The condition can, however, interfere with fertility in a few different ways. For example, endometriosis can create inflammation that affects the quality of the eggs or the function of the ovaries. In some cases, it can cause ovarian cysts called endometriomas, which may impact ovarian reserve and make ovulation less predictable.
Still, having endometriosis doesn’t automatically mean you’re infertile. Many women conceive naturally, especially if the condition is mild or moderate. Fertility specialists will often assess your egg reserve and ovulatory health to determine how much impact, if any, the condition is having on your reproductive system. If you’ve already had one or more healthy pregnancies without medical assistance, this is usually a very good sign.
Can I Give Birth if I Have Endometriosis?
Yes, it’s possible to carry and deliver a baby if you have endometriosis. However, your individual risk factors matter. Some women experience smooth, full-term pregnancies, while others may face complications such as preterm labor, placenta previa, or increased likelihood of cesarean delivery. These risks can depend on the location of the endometrial growths, any prior surgeries, and the presence of scar tissue around the uterus.
Doctors typically place a strong emphasis on your pregnancy history. If you’ve carried at least one healthy pregnancy to term, that greatly increases your chances of being approved for surrogacy, even if you currently have mild endometriosis. The key consideration is whether your uterus has already demonstrated that it can safely support a pregnancy.
Does Endometriosis Disqualify You from Becoming a Surrogate?
Having endometriosis does not automatically disqualify you from becoming a surrogate, but it does raise certain medical concerns that agencies and fertility clinics take seriously. The key issue is how the condition affects your ability to carry a pregnancy safely to term. Since gestational surrogacy involves transferring an embryo into your uterus, the health and integrity of the uterine lining are crucial.
For surrogacy candidates with endometriosis, one of the first things professionals look at is whether the uterus is free from significant scarring or abnormalities. In some cases, especially when the condition has caused adhesions or damage to the uterine wall, it may interfere with the implantation process or increase the risk of complications later in pregnancy.
Another factor is your reproductive history. Most surrogacy agencies require that all surrogates have previously given birth without complications. If you’ve had a successful full-term pregnancy, even if you were diagnosed with mild endometriosis afterward, this can be a strong point in your favor. It shows that your body has already demonstrated the ability to support a healthy pregnancy.
More severe cases, especially those involving multiple surgeries, uterine abnormalities, or a history of infertility, are often listed among what disqualifies you from being a surrogate during the medical screening process.
What Factors Are Considered in Screening?
The screening process for surrogacy is thorough and designed to protect both the surrogate and the future baby. When reviewing your application, medical professionals will closely examine your health history, including your diagnosis of endometriosis, your surgical records (if any), and your history of pregnancies and deliveries.
One of the most important qualifications is having carried at least one healthy pregnancy without major complications. If you experienced a smooth labor and delivery in the past, this will typically weigh heavily in your favor, even if you were diagnosed with endometriosis afterward. Clinics will also want to confirm that you did not need fertility treatments like IVF to conceive in the past, as that may indicate underlying fertility issues.
Additional evaluations may include an ultrasound or uterine exam to assess the current state of your reproductive system. If your endometriosis has not compromised your uterus and you meet the other medical and emotional criteria, you may still be eligible to move forward with the surrogacy process.
What If I Have Mild Endometriosis?
When Endometriosis May Still Be Compatible with Surrogacy
In many cases, women with mild endometriosis who have already had at least one uncomplicated full-term pregnancy can still qualify to become surrogates. The determining factor is whether the condition has affected the uterus or overall reproductive health in a way that could pose a risk during gestation.
Mild endometriosis often does not interfere with the ability to carry a pregnancy. If the uterine lining is healthy, there are no significant adhesions, and no history of infertility or miscarriage, a woman may still meet the medical criteria. In fact, many surrogates are only diagnosed with endometriosis after giving birth, especially if the symptoms have always been minimal. In those cases, the diagnosis alone isn’t a disqualifier.
The key is that each case is considered individually. Medical professionals will evaluate not just the diagnosis, but how it has manifested, how your past pregnancies went, and whether there is any evidence of complications that could affect a future embryo transfer or the pregnancy itself.
The Role of Your OB/GYN and Fertility Specialist
If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis and are considering becoming a surrogate, your OB/GYN can be an essential partner in the process. They may be asked to provide medical records, confirm your pregnancy history, and offer insight into how the condition has impacted your health.
Fertility clinics will likely conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include an ultrasound, hormone testing, and a uterine exam. Their goal is to ensure that your uterus can safely support a pregnancy and that there is no elevated risk to your health or to the baby’s development.
Even if your endometriosis has never required surgery or treatment, it’s important to disclose the diagnosis early in the screening process. Transparent communication helps build a safer and more supportive experience for you, the agency, and the intended parents.
Why Choose Surrogacy by Faith
Surrogacy by Faith offers a thoughtful and compassionate approach to the surrogacy experience, blending strong medical partnerships with a deeply human and values-based perspective. Our surrogacy agency is led by a dedicated team of former surrogates who know the process from the inside out and are committed to walking alongside each surrogate with care and empathy.
Because every medical history is different, including conditions like endometriosis, the team takes the time to understand each candidate’s unique background and ensure she’s matched with the right professionals. Their approach is grounded in respect, open communication, and genuine support throughout every stage of the journey.
Surrogacy by Faith is also recognized for its clear and generous surrogate compensation, its focus on ethical coordination with fertility clinics, and its unwavering dedication to both surrogate well-being and the hopes of intended parents.
For intended parents considering surrogacy, the best way to start the journey is by exploring the intended parent application process. Women interested in becoming surrogates can learn more about the steps involved by reviewing the surrogate mother application process.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354317