Endometriosis: What Nobody Tells You About Symptoms, Treatment, and Fertility with Dr. Mallory Stuparich

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women, yet diagnosis can still take years. Some women experience debilitating period pain or GI symptoms, while others have little obvious pain and first encounter endometriosis during an infertility evaluation. How do you know when endometriosis could be the cause, and what should happen next? In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford talks with Dr. Mallory Stuparich, a board-certified OB/GYN and fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon specializing in endometriosis and complex pelvic pain. They explain why endometriosis can be missed even after an ultrasound, how birth control and excision surgery serve different goals, what to consider about fertility before surgery, and how to choose care based on your symptoms and priorities. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Endometriosis Symptoms, Treatment, and Fertility 01:21 Meet Dr. Mallory Stuparich 04:32 What Is Endometriosis? 06:09 What Do the Stages of Endometriosis Mean? 07:33 Why Does Endometriosis Take So Long to Diagnose? 09:03 What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis? 10:35 Does Endometriosis Run in Families? 11:52 When Is Period Pain Abnormal in Teenagers? 13:01 Can Endometriosis Cause GI Symptoms? 13:58 What Are the Treatment Options for Endometriosis? 16:20 Does Birth Control Treat Endometriosis? 18:45 Can Birth Control Prevent Endometriomas? 21:15 Ablation vs. Excision Surgery for Endometriosis 25:04 When Is Lupron Used for Endometriosis and IVF? 28:00 How Does Endometriosis Affect Fertility? 29:22 Should You See a Fertility Specialist Before Endometriosis Surgery? 32:27 Can Repeat Endometriosis Surgery Improve Fertility? 34:25 How Do You Choose an Endometriosis Surgeon? 36:01 When Is Surgery Used to Diagnose Endometriosis? 37:47 Can Ultrasound Diagnose Endometriosis? 39:26 When Do You Need an MRI for Endometriosis? 41:32 Where Can Endometriosis Grow? 42:31 Endometriosis vs. Adenomyosis: What’s the Difference? 43:50 How Is Adenomyosis Treated Before IVF? 45:21 Can Lifestyle Changes Help Endometriosis? 48:49 Can GLP-1 Medications Help Endometriosis? 50:24 What New Endometriosis Tests Are Being Studied? 51:14 How to Advocate for Endometriosis Care GUEST RESOURCES: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallorystuparichmd/ Website: https://internationalendo.com/drmallorystuparich/ AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk HOST RESOURCES: Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices