Hello I’m extremely new to this and would appreciate any advice or to hear about your experiences. I’m 38 and was referred to UK fertility team as part of NHS in August and have been having various tests. Doctors basic blood testing resulted in putting me on vitamin D tablets since February. Finally, I had a first baseline vaginal scan (internal) on 22 October which uncovered that I had 2 sizeable cysts 7.5cm and 5.5cm suspected endometrial. They first believed it was one on each ovary. I had to wait another month for 2nd internal scan to see if the cysts went away. They didn’t and the second scan was more traumatic because they could only identify one ovary, they even called the specialist and did an over tummy scan. It’s all been a big shock as I didn’t release - I had no symptoms. Although now I have been doing obsessive (middle of the night) internet browsing and researching about endometriosis and cysts and symptoms I realise over last two years symptoms were creeping up but I never put all the pieces together and did not suffer extreme pain. I had isolated events like unexplained sore lower back but was given pain killers. My doctor never put the pieces together either and I was consistently advised my periods are worse as I am older and didn’t decide to have children yet. I am now very conflicted since my last appointment on Thursday. My consultant said he advises me to remove both cysts through laparoscopy and then I can try IVF (my husband also has low sperm count and reduced motility) so natural pregnancy is pretty much impossible. I am very worried as my egg reserve level was checked 2 weeks ago and is extremely low AMF 1.64 should be 5-15 for my age. The risk of me having surgery to remove the cysts is that it is likely to damage my egg reserve further. I don’t have any children and this is the first time we are trying. I know I must come to terms with the fact it may not be possible for us. I wondered if anyone heard of a way that I can have IVF first and sort cysts later?
My consultant presented that the risks of leaving the cysts and having IVF first is that the drugs used to stimulate ovaries make cysts worst and plus it is harder to retrieve eggs with large cysts in the way. My head is telling me I need to remove the cysts but my heart is telling me to try to preserve my eggs for chance of a child. Any one have any experience? I would be so grateful <3