Fertility?: Hi Ladies. In all honesty (I... - Endometriosis UK

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Fertility?

DaisyRussell profile image
12 Replies

Hi Ladies.

In all honesty (I know everyone's different) but does anyone know how much of an effect endo has on your fertility both with and with out the laparoscopy?

I've been advised that the laparoscopy/removal can have a bad effect on fertility too.

Thanks in advance xxxx

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DaisyRussell profile image
DaisyRussell
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12 Replies
neve31 profile image
neve31

Hi

This is only what I was advised, please make sure you speak with your ivf clinic and gyni Dr for their opinion.

I have had ivf 5 unsuccessful treatments and 3 laps. When I asked the endo Dr opinion he told me to have my lap wait to heal and then when given the ok do the treatment within the next 6 months.

We had other issues not just endo so don't be put off with my post.

Wishing you all the best and read as much as you can before you start . X

Jakey26 profile image
Jakey26

Hi Daisy,

I have only ever heard that having a laparoscopy and removing adhesions is a positive step when considering fertility. I was told this and subsequent hormone treatment to suppress endo was 'recharging my fertility computer'!

As you say, everyone is different and your fertility will depend on the severity and position of your endo and the organs/areas affected. You and your partners overall health and wellbeing will also play a part.

As with any operation, a laparoscopy carries risks but without it, you will not know the extent or location of the endo or 'clear the way' to enable you to potentially conceive.

I had a diagnostic lap with removal at 31 and was told not to hang around if l wanted children (stage 4 although not affecting reproductive organs), however decided to go on the hormone treatment as mentioned to give us a little more time to get our heads round things. At 33, l now have an 8.5 week old son.

I hope you get the help you need but advise you discuss all your concerns with your gp, gynae and family. X

katybee profile image
katybee

I believe the opposite is true actually, often a lap is recommended to improve fertility. I got pregnant very easily 3 years after my lap... However 6 years later and I'm really struggling to get pregnant. Good luck!

Nicolahunny profile image
Nicolahunny

i had a laprostopy a year ago I had aheadions on my pouch of Douglas and endometriosis in my womb I had had my son back in 2013 my consultant said that they would give me one year to try and fall naturally but unfortunately have struggled to fall pregnant I'm in the process of seeing infertility clinic I wish the best of luck and stay strong u will get there xx

NDE1987 profile image
NDE1987

Hi I'm struggling to get pregnant iv had endo removed back in October 2016 and it still hasn't helped me get pregnant. I'm now on iui treatment so hopefully this helps. It's always good to make sure your tubes etc are all clear so a lap isn't always bad

sireland profile image
sireland

It can vary case by case, but the best time to try is straight after a lap. Best of luck X

averall23 profile image
averall23

I have recently read that a lap as well as any surgery can cause scar tissue which can cause problems with fertility. However when they do a Lap they can see whats going on in there for example if your fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged and also can remove some endo / scar tissue so if there is a risk I would say it's minimal. I got pregnant twice straight away (only 1 month trying) after my Lap 4 years ago (1 ended in miscarriage) Now four years on I am struggling to get pregnant and considering that I need another Lap.

Like you said everyone is different but endo can affect fertility. One of my tubes was blocked four years ago now I'm considering that the other one is too. If you are ready to try for a baby now then you could start trying and then have a lap if you have any problems if you would rather avoid the operation. But I wouldn't necessarily just do nothing as action now may help your fertility in the future. There may be things you can do to help the endo but a Lap may be your only way of finding this out. xx

Devils_Advocate profile image
Devils_Advocate

I have severe endometriosis, PCOS and a partial septate in my womb, so as you can imagine there were concerns about my fertility!

My surgeon said that the lap to excise it should improve my fertility providing it went to plan i.e. no infections, damage to organs. I had a lap to remove a lot of endometriosis from my ligaments, bowel, Pouch of Douglas and to unstick my womb from my bowel. Four months later I got pregnant with my son!

It is true that everyone is different, just because you have it, it doesn't mean it will affect your fertility.

SazRah profile image
SazRah

Hi! Erm...I've never heard that the removal of endometriomas by laparoscopy has a negative effect on fertility. There is a risk with any procedure of course, but these risks are very low and if not low then it would be discussed with you first. If you went ahead with the op you could always make the surgeon promise to just look and not remove anything if there was a high risk of damage! If you have patches of endo on your ovaries that have grown into chocolate cysts, or have formed adhesions, then the passage of the egg through the Fallopian tube would be hindered so you get a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy or infertility entirely. If the endo is lasered off it frees up the passageway so improves the chances of safe and natural fertilisation. One other option is to have a dye test performed. This involves the injection of dye through the Fallopian tubes which would indicate whether the endo has caused a blockage...it may be that your fertility isn't affected by the endo, it's not automatic so just because you have endo it doesn't necessarily mean you have fertility problems.

The only negative thing I can think of ref surgical removal is the formation of scar tissue, but there are procedures now that are used in surgery to prevent this happening. In one of my laps, because I've had so many and scar tissue was likely to form, I had my insides filled with a litre of saline to prevent it forming!

Im sure that lots of people on here will have different experiences, my personal experience with endo and associated surgeries and treatments is quite vast. I was diagnosed at age 16 when I'd been rushed into hospital after collapsing with severe pain after school. I had 4 grapefruit sized cysts taken out (2 on each ovary) and several patches lasered throughout my pelvis. I recovered well, and had much better periods, pain wise. I tried lots of different pills, and had my first course of zoladex injections, that chemically induce the menopause, when I was 17 as I had regrowth. I've since had another 5 laps and major surgery. I've had quite a few courses of zoladex, my first was for 9months, and then others of varying lengths, and I'm on my 2nd mirena. I'm now 33, I don't have children, but at my last surgery I had the dye test and despite adhesions and scar tissue I do have one completely clear passage and one that they said was better than some who had conceived naturally! I hope that helps you a bit! Take care xxx

Googlequeen profile image
Googlequeen

I am also wondering this question and I am at the point where it's time to know what's going on in there so I will be getting a lap mum not sure if I just want them to explore and not remove anything or if they do I want to make sure my fertility won't be affected. I'll have to talk to my dr about it but I think it's best to see what's going on in there.

DaisyRussell profile image
DaisyRussell

Thanks girls xxx

Kristinah29 profile image
Kristinah29

I was told my Lap would help things and we are to get to it once I have healed. Mine is in May and I have been advised to start as early as June. I too have heard that it drastically improves your fertility. But everyone is different <3 wishing you all the best.

Hugs

K

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