Endometriosis vs endometritis – there’s a difference, and here’s why it matters for your fertility journey

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. And if you’re on any kind of fertility journey, chances are you’ve heard plenty about it. And rightly so – there’s still a long way to go to improve advocacy, testing access and support for this life-impacting, one-in-ten condition. 

But there’s another, much less talked-about condition that could be just as important when it comes to your fertility, and that’s endometritis.

Yes, the names sound alike, but these are two entirely different conditions, and understanding the difference could be a game-changer for your family-building journey.

To dive into the specifics and help us expand the conversation this month, we’re back partnering with ReceptivaDx™ – the team behind the groundbreaking ReceptivaDx™ test. Their mission is simple – to help fertility centers and patients uncover the hidden causes behind unexplained infertility, IVF failure, and recurrent miscarriage sooner. 

Here’s the short guide to endometriosis vs endometritis​, and how the ReceptivaDx™ test can help you get answers and plan your next steps.

Endometriosis vs endometritis – what’s the difference? 

First things first – whilst they’re both connected to problems with the lining of the uterus (endometrium), the difference between endometritis and endometriosis​ lies in their pathology and how they impact your body.

Endometriosis

With endometriosis, tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other organs in your pelvis. This grows and sheds along with your monthly cycle but has nowhere to leave the body.

Symptoms: Endometriosis can often lead to pelvic pain, heavy periods and bloating, but it can also be completely asymptomatic or ‘silent’, with none of the telltale symptoms.  

Symptoms or no symptoms, studies from over the last 8 years continue to show that if endometriosis goes undetected and untreated, fertility problems are likely to persist, even with IVF in the mix. 

Treatment options: Treatment options include medical suppression with drugs like Lupron Depot, and surgical treatment via laparoscopy. 

Endometritis

Endometritis is a chronic bacterial infection of the uterine lining. 

Symptoms: Symptoms include pelvic pain, spotting or unusual discharge, swelling in your abdomen, and generally feeling unwell or feverish.

When endometritis persists over time, it’s called chronic endometritis, which has been linked to recurrent implantation failure and issues with fertility.

Treatment options: Treatment usually involves taking a course of antibiotics. 

Can we have both at the same time? 

The answer is yes, it’s possible, but not common. While research shows a higher prevalence of chronic endometritis in women with endometriosis, most women with endometriosis do not have endometritis, meaning endometriosis is still the most common condition uncovered when biopsied for uterine lining inflammation. 

Your main takeaway here? Both conditions can (but don’t always) coexist and can impact your fertility and chances of conception, but they require different approaches to treatment. 

So, it’s super important to get clear on what you might be dealing with so you can move your journey forward.

How to test for endometritis​ and endometriosis 

While the symptoms of chronic endometritis and endometriosis can overlap, there’s a crucial difference at the cellular level – something that ReceptivaDx™’s new-gen test can detect. 

Endometriosis is linked to high levels of a protein marker called BCL6, which is found in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility and around 65% of women with two or more IVF failures.

Chronic endometritis, on the other hand, can be identified using a different marker called CD138 – a sign of ongoing inflammation due to infection. A positive CD138 is typically found in less than 15% of women tested alongside BCL6.

If you’ve been struggling to conceive or have had failed IVF cycles, getting tested for both BCL6 and CD138 could help you get some answers and move your journey forward. 

Want to learn more about the science? Read up on what a positive BCL6 result means, as well as the recent BCL6 IVF low-down, created as part of our library of content with ReceptivaDx™.

ReceptivaDx™ is the only test IVF centers use to detect both

ReceptivaDx™ is the only test used by IVF centers that screens for both BCL6 and CD138, the markers for endometriosis and chronic endometritis. 

It’s a simple biopsy-based test that provides your fertility specialist with key insights into uterine inflammation.

Here’s what the process typically looks like:

1. Your doctor will take a small sample of your uterine lining, usually in a quick in-office procedure.
2. The sample is analyzed for the presence of BCL6 and CD138.
3. Your results will help guide your next steps – whether that’s treating chronic endometritis with antibiotics, exploring treatment options for endometriosis, or both. 

Since ReceptivaDx™ is also the only test that detects both conditions in one go, it’s a powerful tool your fertility specialist can use to help uncover hidden causes of your unexplained fertility problems.

When should we ask for the ReceptivaDx™ test?

If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, have had multiple miscarriages, have failed IVF at least once, or have a history or symptoms of endometriosis or endometritis, you’re a candidate for testing.

Ask your specialist or fertility center to connect with ReceptivaDx™ and order a test for you. TRB readers can get $75 off – just use code TRB23 on the test request form.

If you’re in the midst of a fertility journey and haven’t yet been tested for both BCL6 and CD138, this could be the key to moving forward with a more effective plan – because getting the right diagnosis matters for getting the right treatment. 

Got questions about testing? You can also schedule a 20-minute consultation with the ReceptivaDx™ team, free of charge.