Stage 4 endo and TTC

[Mj1986]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has conceived naturally with stage 4 endo? I've had one failed round of IVF and am wondering whether to just try naturally for a while. My endo is untreated as I am luckily pain free and docs don't want to further lower my already low ovarian reserve. I'm 33.

Ps - docs are saying IVF but wanted to hear expiriences from anyone who has done it naturally with stsge 4 untreated endo.

Xxx

[Rehanat]

Hi- I managed to conceive naturally after 2.5yrs. We did have a failed ivf cycle before that. For me it happened when we stopped trying so hard.... I have severe deep Infiltrated endo x

[Mj1986 in reply to Rehanat]

Oh wow. Did you have a laparoscopy to remove endo?

[Rehanat in reply to Mj1986]

I did but it was initially an investigatory lap and the gynaecologist that did it was just a general one so didn’t remove everything. I’ve recently jus had excision in March 2019 and been tryin for another baby since dec 2017 so 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[Lindle]

Hi - the reasons for doing surgery for stage 4 are to treat pain or infertility and one doesn't preclude the other. Unfortunately the chances of natural conception are very low with stage 4 but many women turn out not to be infertile after expert excision - it was the disease that was preventing it.

It must really be a dilemma though as if you are not in pain and there are no organs or other vital structures being compromised stage 4 endo often becomes non progressive whereas complex excision has risks as you'll know.

This might be helpful:

jmig.org/article/S1553-4650...

[Mj1986 in reply to Lindle]

Thank you for your reply. Useful article.

[Babywells1]

I had stage 4 endo and naturally conceived after 2 years however the doctors thought it was a miracle it happened with severe endo. Unfortunately the embryo didn't grow properly and I have since had surgery to remove endo. They Dr is much more optimistic about trying to conceive again now. Good luck x

[Mj1986 in reply to Babywells1]

Good luck. Hope all goes to plan post excision xx

[wanwood]

I tried for 2+ years with stage 3-4 endo, had thorough 2-stage excision over the course of a year, and tried again naturally for another 9 months post-surgery, all with no success. Low AMH. IVF was successful for me on the first round, and I feel convinced now that it was anatomically impossible to conceive naturally for me even after treating the endo. But everyone's different.

[Mj1986 in reply to wanwood]

Congrats on the successful IVF. The more I read the more it seems like excision seems like a good option (even prior to IVF). How many eggs did you get on your successful round? I only got 3 the furst time due to amh xx

[wanwood in reply to Mj1986]

Thank you. There are pros and cons, but my surgeon felt that careful excision, looking to preserve fertility, would give me a better chance. Also, I had pain which was definitely a factor in the decision, and meant I knew it would be worth it for that reason even if it didn't work for the other reason. It does take a long time to recover from excision, even though it's laparoscopic. I didn't feel like myself for months. 9 eggs, which was a pleasant surprise. I did the short (antagonist) protocol, which is meant to be better for poor responders. xx