Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects approximately 1 million people across Canada. It occurs when tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Tissue from endometriosis often grows in other organs of the reproductive system, which can lead to infertility in many patients. Endometriosis patients also have higher rates of adverse events during pregnancy and birth, such as gestational diabetes or preterm birth. There are several different treatments for endometriosis, including surgeries and hormonal therapies. However, there remains a need to better understand reproductive outcomes after various endometriosis treatments, as the research comparing treatments is still unclear. In this project, I seek to understand the role of endometriosis treatments in relation to various pregnancy outcomes. I will investigate which endometriosis treatments are associated with higher chances of becoming pregnant and giving birth. I will also examine which treatments are associated with lower chances of complications during pregnancy and labour and delivery. For these investigations, I will analyze data from females who lived in British Columbia between 2000 and 2021 and were diagnosed with endometriosis. In addition, I will interview endometriosis patients about how they considered different treatments if they knew they wanted to get pregnant in the future. This research will help us understand if certain endometriosis treatments are better for patients who want to get pregnant, so patients and doctors can make more informed decisions about their care. Results will also provide insight into how endometriosis patients decide between treatment options and how they may be better supported in their decision-making process.