Advise please on Endometriosis and IVF or IUI

[shellouer]

Hi everyone.

Me and my partner have been looking into IUI and IVF. Because I have endometriosis they won't give me IUI as only 13% chance of it working. So they have offered us IVF which has a much higher chance of working.

Before we decide to go for the IVF I want to hear if anyone else has been through IVF and been successful.

Did the hormone injections make your endometriosis worse at all? Or were you ok?

I really want to be a mum more than anything but my partner is very concerned about my endometriosis worsening.

Also I need to lose 4st to get IVF. I'm determined to lose weight but finding it very difficult.

[Monty13]

Hi shellouer,sorry you're going through this,it's very tough. I have stage 4 endo but was undiagnosed at the time and had ivf due to partner with low sperm count. Unfortunately it didn't work for us,and the stimulation drugs did affect my endo which was only discovered on a scan close to end of treatment and as a result stopped me producing as many eggs. I took endometriosis cysts in my ovary and although generally harmless it basically blocked my follicles.

However your consultant will be able to monitor you closely and be able to tailor your drugs to your specific requirements,if my endo had been discovered before I believe my ivf would have had a different outcome. Having said that,I did still have 2 eggs both fertilised and transfered but failed.

I did however lose weight and had a laproscopy to remove endo 4 months later and I conceived naturally 4 months afterwards,after trying for 6 years Im typing this nursing my 9 week old son. So please don't be disheartened,I was told by a specialist without ivf I'd never conceive! If u haven't already had a laproscopy please look into that,even while you on waiting list for ivf xx

[shellouer in reply to Monty13]

Many thanks for getting back to me I'm sorry to hear that ivf failed for you. But so happy to read that you conceived naturally. I've been trying for over 2 years now and have had 3 miscarriages I will look into having a laparoscopy. I was told my a gyneacologist that at the age of 31 I have a better chance with ivf. I'm having an ultrasound scan on may 15th to check the condition of my ovaries and womb. As I have had cysts in the past. I'm hoping I haven't left anything too late. xx

[Monty13 in reply to shellouer]

I'm so sorry about your miscarriages,especially when you've been trying so long. Alot will depend on what scan shows,a lap isnt suitable for everyone. But if it is,and you have to go on waiting list for ivf (It was 16 months from first appointment to last where I live)it's definitely worth doing while you wait. I would never have conceived without it,please don't concern yourself with age either! I'm 37! Good luck for scan and hope it all works out for you xx

[shellouer]

Thank you I'm trying to keep as positive as I can xx

[Runner90]

I did ivf and was lucky it worked first time, I’m now 28 weeks pregnant. I have low amh levels as well as endo damaged tubes. The ivf hasn’t seemed to make my endo I worse at all, but I do get quite painful stretching etc as my baby grows which I think is because it’s pulling at scar tissue. The pain was worse in early pregnancy now it’s not so bad.

I had a lap 2.5 years ago to remove endo but if the ivf hadn’t been successful I probably would have needed another because the pain was back. I really recommend ivf

[shellouer in reply to Runner90]

Thank you, congratulations on pregnancy. I can't decide whether to wait for nhs for IVF Or go privately. As the waiting list is very long. xx

[Runner90 in reply to shellouer]

I’m in Aus so NHS wasn’t an option, so we paid about $7000 for it, but it was so incredibly worth it

[shellouer in reply to Runner90]

Thank you. We have been offered 3 cycles for £5,500 xx

[VickyBA]

I have stage 4 endo.. we got offered IVF on the nhs and there wasn't waiting lists for us. It worked first time.. I'm currently 3 months pregnant as for it making the endo worst.. I don't know not to my knowledge yet anyway.

Good luck

[shellouer in reply to VickyBA]

thank you for replying, so happy to hear that IVF has worked for you, congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm going to look into more about the waiting lists but will look into IUII too, as I'm not failing to get pregnant I just keep miscarrying xx

[VickyBA in reply to shellouer]

Thank you I wish you all the luck in the world!

And regarding to your weight you'll be amazed at what you can do if you decide to go for ivf. I was the opposite to you and got told I had to gain 3 stone.. for me that seemed impossible as I've always been a small build and spent many nights in tears over it you wouldn't believe how hard it is to go the opposite having that determination and a deadline made it possible.

Good luck for your journey xx

[shellouer in reply to VickyBA]

thank you, I've already lost nearly 2 stone so I'm heading in the right direction. I've got IVF as my weight loss goal xx

[AJJ123]

If your concerned about the ivf drugs worsening your endo have you considered IVM? I’m literally filling the paperwork in this evening for my self referral. I have endo too xx

[shellouer in reply to AJJ123]

What is the difference between IVF, IUI and IVM. I wasn't told anything about IVM so i'd love to know more xx

[AJJ123 in reply to shellouer]

Basically it’s ivf without the fertility drugs, it’s a lot cheaper and involves removing your eggs whilst immature and then grown in a lab for one or two days. They then they do icsi and implant in the womb. I’m in the same boat as u really, I don’t want to be using fertility drugs putting myself at risk potentially of complications. Some say it’s not as affective as ivf - although there are far fewer people doing it because of lack of awareness and a lot that do it tend to have other things going on fertility wise (low egg reserve for e.g) which those of us under 35 typically don’t have. Xx

[shellouer in reply to AJJ123]

thank you I will look into that. xx

[AJJ123 in reply to shellouer]

It’s also ideal for pcos too xx

[shellouer in reply to AJJ123]

Thank you xx