Endometriosis and Fertility Preservation: What Patients Need from Healthcare Providers

Existing research on endometriosis and fertility-related care has highlighted an emphasis on fertility preservation above other healthcare outcomes, leading to a loss of reproductive autonomy. Guided by a critical realist lens, we sought to understand what individuals with endometriosis (n = 22) require from their healthcare providers when considering fertility-related concerns and preservation. Inductive, reflexive thematic analysis identified that fertility concerns were pervasive and resulted in uncertainty and fertility-related healthcare encounters encompassed both supportive and distressing experiences. Participants identified the need for accessible, inclusive, and person-centered interdisciplinary care that moves beyond siloed and fertility-centric approaches and improves reproductive autonomy.