1st laparoscopy But worried about fertility after op.

[pinpops]

Hi ladies, so I have my first ever operation on the 23rd of feb, I don’t have children, I’m 29 and fertility issues do run in my family. I’m really worried that the operation will affect my chances of having a baby. I’m also quite scared of the operation as I have a nodule on the bowel in the area called pouch of Douglas. my Endo is mostly pain free and I’m now unsure if I should have the operation as when I first had problems my pain was intense but over time through diet changes and exercise it has improved a lot. I’m just so lost on what to think. Anyone with a similar experience ?

[Nicola2401]

Hi there, this post stuck out to me as I'm in a similar situation; 29 and no children, but I've just had my second lap (in November) to remove stage 4 endo which was all successful. I also had the coil fitted at the same time as my consultant (who also is a Professor and specialises in studies into endo & fertility) said that removing the endo and inserting the coil is pretty much unrivalled in terms of 'preserving' your reproductive areas for when you want to have children.

In other words, if you wanted to have children now and you have a lap and then used no methods of contraception following it, your chances of conceiving naturally in the first 6 months are much higher than if you had the endo there (granted, any lady with endo is statistically more likely to take longer to conceive than one without endo, even if she has just had a lap).

It's definitely not a decision to take lightly, and I realise that laps can lead to scar tissue formation etc and cause other issues that way, but for me it was definitely my only option as I was in daily agony. Just praying I can keep it at bay for a teeny bit longer, have the coil removed and have some sort of success TTC!

Wishing you the best whatever you decide to do xxxx

[pinpops in reply to Nicola2401]

Thanks for replying. I too was told my Endo looked severe but to be sure they would need to do the lap. I don’t get much pain at the moment just sharp pains sometimes. And this is why I don’t want to put myself at further risk of scar tissue etc. I wish I was in a position to have a baby I’m just worried about the scar tissue affecting the small chance I have of conceiving. The possibility of a stoma bag and the possibility of another operation is also scary. My hospital too is doing a research programme for Endo and I was considering the coil and pill. Let’s see what they randomly pick for me. At the moment I’m on the progesterone only pill which I have to say seems to have also reduced how much I feel my cyst. So it’s working. Thanks again, relieving to hear from someone in a similar situation. I hope it all goes well for you xx

[Emmyeve]

If your ovaries and tubes aren’t removed through the lap then the lap should actually make you more fertile (obviously without knowing If you have any other fertility issues). The 3-6 months after a lap, for whatever reason, we are more likely to conceive. So if you are in a position to have a baby (relationship, finances etc) then go for it after lap! I’ve just had excision and dye test in the hopes of conceiving over the next few months. Good luck Hun, it’ll be fine. It’s just a lap nothing too horrific, it’ll be over before you know it. I too reduce my pain significantly with diet and lifestyle but I had huge endometrioma so get what you need done & then go back to your diet and lifestyle xx

[pinpops in reply to Emmyeve]

Thank you for replying hun. Ahhh i think I’m overthinking to be honest. I just think I’ve just not asked the right questions to the doctor. I have my pre-assessment this week so fingers crossed I get all the answers I need. Good luck to you too Hun!

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Laparoscopy is more likely to improve your fertility than anything else. Personally I’d want to make sure they’re doing a dye test of your tubes and a hysteroscopy to check your uterus at the same time as they have you under. Make sure they know you’re worried about your fertility so they check all the things that could affect it. But honestly, a lap is probably the best thing you could do to improve fertility. Xx

[pinpops in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Ahh that’s a good idea. I will speak with my nurse to see if they can do the dye test too. Tbh I don’t know anything about the dye test but I will be looking into it. Thank you!