Endometriosis and Fertility Problems: Why “Unexplained” Infertility isn’t Always Unexplained

Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women, yet many people go years without a diagnosis.

For some women it presents with severe period pain or heavy bleeding. But for many others, the symptoms are far more subtle … or even absent.

Which is why endometriosis is sometimes missed during fertility investigations.

If you’ve ever been told you have “unexplained infertility”, this is something worth understanding.

Endometriosis Doesn’t Always Look the Way You Expect:

When people think about endometriosis, they often imagine debilitating pain or extremely heavy periods.

But the reality is often more complex.

Some women with endometriosis experience:

• Mild or manageable period pain

• Ovulation discomfort

• Digestive symptoms around their cycle

• Fatigue or bloating

• Difficulty conceiving despite otherwise “normal” test results

Others experience very little pain at all.

This is why the condition can quietly affect fertility without being obvious.

Endometriosis can influence:

• Pelvic inflammation

• Egg quality

• Implantation

• Pelvic blood flow

And when these factors combine, conception can become more difficult - even when scans and routine blood tests appear normal.

Why Endometriosis Can Be Hard to Diagnose:

Historically, the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis has been through laparoscopic surgery.

Because of this, many women are never fully investigated unless their symptoms are severe.

Ultrasound scans can sometimes detect ovarian endometriosis (endometriomas), but milder or superficial disease often doesn’t appear on imaging.

This is one reason some fertility cases remain labelled “unexplained”.

New Developments in Endometriosis Testing:

Because diagnosis can be challenging, researchers have been exploring newer ways of detecting endometriosis without surgery.

Some newer testing approaches look for biological markers linked to the condition.

In simple terms:

► Endometriosis appears to leave a specific biological signature in the body

► Newer tests aim to identify that signature using a non-invasive sample

► This may help detect endometriosis even when scans appear normal

These approaches are still emerging and not yet widely used within the NHS, but they reflect how our understanding of endometriosis, and how we investigate it, continues to evolve.

Why Understanding Endometriosis Matters for Fertility:

If endometriosis is present, treatment planning can look slightly different.

Support may focus on:

★ Reducing inflammatory load

★ Improving pelvic circulation

★ Supporting ovulation quality

★ Strengthening the luteal phase

Creating the most stable environment possible for implantation

This is where acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can play a valuable supportive role alongside medical care.

How Acupuncture Can Support Women With Endometriosis:

In clinic many of the women I see with endometriosis aren’t just looking for pain relief. They want their cycles to feel more settled, their bodies less inflamed and their fertility better supported.

Acupuncture is often used alongside medical care to support women living with endometriosis, particularly when fertility is a focus. By improving pelvic circulation, helping regulate inflammatory responses and calming the nervous system, acupuncture can support the body’s natural reproductive rhythms.

Many women choose to integrate acupuncture while trying to conceive, preparing for IVF or simply working to stabilise their cycles.

In practice, acupuncture is commonly used to help:

★ Improve pelvic blood flow

★ Reduce inflammatory activity

★ Support ovulation and progesterone balance

★ Regulate the nervous system and stress response

For many women, this combination helps their cycles feel more predictable and their symptoms more manageable over time.

A Simple Acupressure Point I Often Show Patients:

While acupuncture treatments are personalised in my clinic, acupressure works on the same pathways used in acupuncture and can be a gentle way to support your body.

One point I show patients is Spleen 6 (SP6).

In traditional Chinese medicine, this point is used to help regulate the menstrual cycle, support pelvic circulation and calm the nervous system.

You’ll find it four finger widths above the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.

To try it at home:

• Apply firm but comfortable pressure with your thumbor finger

• Press or massage in small circles for around 90 seconds

• Repeat on both legs

  
  

I teach women to use this point during the second half of their cycle, when the body is preparing for implantation.

If you’d like to see exactly where this point is, I’ve shared a short demonstration on my Instagram reel, where I show you how to find it and use it safely.

You’re Not “Unexplained”:

If you’ve been told your fertility challenges are unexplained, it doesn’t mean the cause will never be understood.

Sometimes it simply means the right questions haven’t been asked yet!

Exploring possibilities like endometriosis - alongside looking at cycle patterns, blood tests and overall health - can provide a clearer path forward.

And that changes how we plan.

💛 If you’d like to begin supporting your fertility naturally, you can download my free guide here:

“5 Things You Can Do This Month to Boost Your Fertility Naturally.”

For personalised fertility and women’s health support, or to learn more about acupuncture for endometriosis, visit stacydavisacupuncture.co.uk or connect on Instagram @stacydavisacupuncture.