IVF or keep trying naturally

[charlottecarter91]

Hi I was diagnosed with Endometriosis 8 years ago at 19 years old. I had a lap and was told if they found endo they would burn it off. When I came too I was told they didn't it necessary as it was only stage 1 it doesn't spread and they didn't want to risk upsetting my insides so young and not yet had any children and would rethink it once I was 26 and see if I had had children. Now 27 been trying for 2 years had a lap to be told the endo is stage 4 attaching my uterus to my rectum and bowl and covering both ovaries. Since seeing the fertility team a few months ago my partner has increased his sperm count by diet and lifestyle changes and both of us are taking fertility supplements , monitoring my ovulation and trying at the right times to conceive. The doctors have said they would like to either operate and risk damaging my ovaries or have me go through IVF soon as it has spread. Would I be silly to want to keep trying naturally for another 6 months now we have the fertile side if things under way or would anyone suggest going for IVF or op ASAP does anyone have any similar stories?.

[sandy112]

Hi hun my situation was a bit like yours but my Drs & fertility Dr kept telling me to go through IVF before having the opp but I personally did not agree and got another Dr to oppate on me 4 months later I fell pregnant n can’t wait to meet our baby girl in July. They normally say try fall pregnant in the first 6-12 months after ur more as you have more chance if not I would go through IVF. Hope this helps DM if u need anymore information good luck!!

[hellybaybee]

That seems strange to me, through the nhs I was basically told that I could languish in pain (not their words - but they would bother looking and just give me the coil instead) or have the endo removed and then start ivf. That really annoyed me because it was like my whole purpose was to have children and if I wasn’t going to do that then it was a big F U. I went private in the end which is never really my preference. It doesn’t sound great that the surgeon thinks they are incapable of not damaging your organs. I’d seek another surgeon and have the opp first, if youre stage 4 then that is advanced and jeopardises your chances of conceiving so I would worry that you would waste your ivf chances. Sounds like they might be trying to scare you in order to save some money imo, seems to happen more and more lately.

[mayk]

Hi, I was in the same situation. My fertility specialist told me to have a lap first as I had suspected endometriosis. Turns out it was stage 4. The lap surgeon said it was better to have a lap first before trying IVF because it would improve my chances. He also found it interesting that I was referred by a FS, but in a good way. It's been 3 months post op and still haven't conceived naturally. Looking to start IVF soon. FS said after op you would try for about 6 months to see if you can conceive naturally. I am 37, so don't want to wait too long.

[mazzda]

Hi hun

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. I myself have been let down by the nhs. There is no right or wrong decision here as each person is different. If you are that covered in endo I was to I had to have both tubes removed then would pregnancy or ivf work anyway? I was given an appointment to start ivf april 17 but the doc who referred me didn't tell that he couldn't remove the endo during lap. As I was still in pain paid privately for a scan and showed masses of cysts and abscesses. I had to call and cancel my appointment was heartbreaking. My advice to you would be discuss all options with docs and ask advice and chances of conceiving while you have the endo and what they think they are the professionals. We don't deserve this heartache at all.

Wishing you all the very best of luck xxx

[Sludge78]

We were trying for 10 years after I had my daughter. I had an op to remove stage 4 endo 2yrs ago with the hope of falling pregnant soon after, just had another op to remove stage 4 again along with hysterectomy. If you want a family and have chance of taking IVF (we weren’t allowed at time due to having a child) then take it.

[Sludge78]

Pregnancy can also reduce endo, my boss was due to have a hysterectomy due to stage 4 but somehow managed to fall pregnant shortly before the op.

[charlottecarter91]

Thank you everyone gives me a lot to Think about it's good to hear opinions of people in the same boat as me

[Doglover5]

I have stage 4 endo and had a very successful operation with a BSGE specialist who removed everything, tried naturally for 6 months after and still nothing!

IVF was our miracle and we now have a little one after our first cycle so I would just go for it if I were you. X