I have been trying to conceive for 2 years but haven't been successful. I have a very concerning severe period pain that causes immobility during first few days of my cycle.
I had a laparoscopy earlier this year and was diagnosed with deep and severe endometriosis (plus 2 ovarian cysts), which appearently couldn't be operated without a bowel Dr. They need to make another appointment for further operation but the Dr. is worried more about my decrease chances of pregnancy so he advised me to go through fertility process first.
My ultrasound shows some abnormality in my uterus wall and size, but the nurse or Dr. who scanned me said it looks abnormal but not impossible. I'm currently waiting for consultation, which will take place next Tuesday.
However, everytime I have my period; the pain is so severe it makes me wanna end my life. Going through fertility process raises concern about the pain and inflammation. I wonder if pregnancy will cause pain in my belly because as the baby grows, my uterus will get stretched and endometrioma tissues plus the cysts are gonna get disturbed.
I'm so scared!
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Safi_Martin
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I'm so sorry you're going through all of this. I have also been TTC for 3 years and have Stage 4 Endo. When it was discovered last year they found 2 very large endometriomas (ovarian cysts) and said that I needed to have these removed to stand any chance of conceiving. I have the Laparoscopy in March this year and have just started IVF treatment. It seems really interesting to me that I was told I had to have them removed first and you're being advised differently.
I have found the Charity Fertility Network UK really helpful, they have a support phone line staffed by fertility nurses who are able to offer really insightful and useful advice, you can find out more here:
If they say anything different to your Drs, remember you're always entitled to a second opinion and can ask your GP to refer you to a different clinic/hospital or even a specific Dr.
In addition, it sounds to me that you would definitely be eligible for IVF, which has been shown to be successful even in people with severe Endo. Your GP should be able to refer you to a clinic, I'd recommend doing this sooner rather than later as it took us 1.5 years to get to our round.
Good luck, remember to keep reaching out for support and that you often know your situation better than Drs.
Thank you for your very useful information and support. I was surprised and confused to have been advised to seek fertility support first. I felt they wanted to clear the waitlist. The Dr. said I'm not eligable for a free NHS fertility service due to my age and was advised to seek private help. I'm 40 and I asked for IVF 2 years ago and decided that I want to remove endo first due to excruciating pain and I suspect they are the cause for my infertility. I'd check out those links.
I think only remove the cysts for fertility depending on the size of them. I had a 10cm cyst removed. Once they are quite big there is a risk that they could rupture which would most likely destroy the ovary. When they are smaller they tend to leave them if you are going to have fertility treatments as it can effect egg quality removing them. I had a daughter naturally almost 5 years ago before I knew I had stage 4 endo. After trying for a sibling my periods became unbearable and I started getting pain in my side and bowel. I had two laparoscopies before going ahead with IVF. I will still need my bowel operated on at some ping but they said to go ahead with IVF first as the recovery time for that surgery can be months and obviously egg quality decreases with age.
I am currently pregnancy following a second round of IVF. It’s early days but the only thing I’ve felt is some slight pulling in my uterus, I think where Ive got scarring from surgery. But I will no longer have a period for 9 months which is a bit of relief.
I found throughout all the treatment that acupuncture helped to calm my periods and also make them more regular. It really helped with clotting that I would previously get. I also spoke with a nutritionist that helped me before I started my second cycle! I felt a bit desperate by then so wanted to try anything that might help.
Good luck with your consultation and I hope they help you with your next steps xxxx
Congratulations for your second pregnancy! Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you goodluck. I wonder how regularly and when during your cycles you usually have acupuncture. Mine is dreadfully painful and any pressure on my belly during my period causes increasing pain.
Hi, I’m so sorry you’re struggling so much, I’ve been there and know how it is. I also have endo and have had a cyst removed from my ovary. The endo also meant for me I needed IVF to fall pregnant but my clinic were fantastic and I’m currently 13 weeks. I’ve had no pain at all through the pregnancy so far apart from the usual pregnancy symptoms but so far I haven’t had any pain in terms of endo. I think pregnancy usually suppresses endo so you have less pain. Hope this helps!
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