What is Endometriosis & How Does It Affect Your Fertility?

Having painful periods? Do you think it might be more than just menstrual cramps? Read on to figure out the difference between a painful time each month and something much more than that; endometriosis.

Every month during menstruation, a woman sheds the endometrial lining in her uterus. When the endometrium tissue (normally found in the uterus) grows outside the uterus or in other places of the body, the condition is known as endometriosis.

Each month, endometrial tissue continues to break down and shed as it would during a normal menstrual cycle. Endometrial tissue in other parts of the body follows the same pattern, causing period-like symptoms such as cramps and discomfort. Without the ability to drain through the uterus as it would during menstruation, the endometrial tissue is released into the body, causing pain, inflammation, and scar tissue.

Endometrial growths have been found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, on the outside of the uterus, lining the pelvic cavity and between the vagina and rectum. In rare cases, growths have been found in other parts of the body.

Endometriosis affects the body in many different ways. For some, fertility, bowel function, gynecological health and quality of life are disrupted.

If you have experienced these symptoms before, it is best to call your doctor and get a medical professional to determine if your painful periods are much more than just that.

If you have any questions regarding your fertility or endometriosis, please reach out to us and fill out our online fertility consultation form or call us at 877.324.4483.

Fertility Centers of Illinois Doctor Spotlight: Dr. John Rapisarda!

We love our doctors & want you to get to know them as well as we do, too! In our Doctor Spotlights, we interview each of the doctors here at the Fertility Centers of Illinois so you can learn about their backgrounds, a bit of their personal lives and to get to know them as a friend. Stay tuned for more Doctor Spotlights to come!

Here's your chance to meet Dr. John Rapisarda!

Why did you choose to become a doctor?

From the time I was a little boy, I was always fascinated by science and the diversity of life on earth.  I loved learning about the way our bodies work and how they respond to fight infections, or disease.   I knew that I had to do something in the scientific field.  As I got older, I had a close family friend and a relative who were struggling with infertility.  It was right around the time that IVF was making the news and I felt that it would be very exciting and rewarding to be able to help people who were unable to have children on their own with the use of this new technology.

Why did you choose fertility treatment as your career?
(see above).  In addition, I was interested in working with essentially healthy people who were facing a significant life crisis that I could help resolve.  Having children is such a wonderful, enriching and rewarding part of life that I knew it would be very fulfilling to help others share this experience. Reproductive Endocrinology is a great mix between medical thinking, interacting with people regularly and performing procedures; all of which I love.

What do you find is the most enjoyable part about working for Fertility Centers of Illinois?
I love what I do on a daily basis and the relationships that are formed with both staff and patients.  The best part of the job is getting baby pictures in the mail, or actually seeing the “fruits of our labor” in person when proud parents return for a visit with their beautiful new babies.

What do you like to do for fun outside of the office?
I love movies, reading, travel, any outdoor activities (as long as it’s warm outside!) and working with my hands building, or tearing something apart.

We hope you've enjoyed getting to know one of our FCI doctors! Keep checking back for our next edition. See Dr. John Rapisarda's FCI page here!

MTV True Life "I'm Desperate to Have a Baby" Recap

Recently, MTV has showcased what women and men endure when faced with the perils of infertility in and episode of the documentary show True Life titled "I'm Desperate to Have a Baby."

Have you seen it yet?

If you're new to the fertility treatment scene, much of what was covered in this episode is new to you: the heartache of being told you can't conceive naturally, the seemingly endless wait for answers, the possibility of never having children, hanging onto your hopes and dream so tightly...

Or if you're a veteran to this world - you've been here, or know someone who has and your heart goes out to these two profiled.

In this episode, True Life follows two women going through fertility treatments in order to have children, and one of those couples comes to our fertility center in Chicago to meet with our own Dr. Beltsos. Chicagoland couple Jenna & Kurt's road to pregnancy is documented below and we are so happy we were able to share in this experience with them.

WATCH the full episode here & let us know what you think:

Get More: True Life, Full Episodes

See the recap of Jenna & Kurt's experience and where they are now from the Chicago Sun Times!