Upcoming laparoscopy - Endometriosis? Any ladies with this condition where it’s affected their ovarian function?

[WeeMrsH]

Hi all

As the title says I’m heading for a lap, my 1st one, on 22nd Dec. This is investigational/diagnosis. For those who don’t know me - somewhat a veteran of this site since 2014 - we’ve had 3 cycles of IVF but I’ve had poor stimulation response, collecting 5 eggs first time (yay!) but then only 1 egg each subsequent cycle. The 1st was in 2015, then 2016 and 2017. Our infertility is unexplained. And on paper my ovarian reserve is ok for age, I should be able to produce eggs quite easily. They even increased my stims dosage the 3rd cycle and it made no difference - lots of follicles but all empty.

I’m thinking my ovarian function is potentially affected by Endometriosis. Has anyone else experienced this? Very nervous for my lap next week as desperately want to find an answer and also resolve some of my ongoing and monthly symptoms. Wish me luck!!

Much love xx

[Sprinkles86]

I’ve had two laparoscopies, the first to remove my dodgy left tube and severe endo was diagnosed. The second about two years ago to excise the endo before starting IVF.

I had an MRI before the second one to check whether it had gone through the bowel wall or not. This showed I had large endometriomas on my ovaries (sometimes called chocolate cysts) they are filled with old blood and I’ve heard can affect ovarian function. My surgeons preference was to drain them rather than cut/excise them as this can cause further damage to the ovary. When they actually operated I didn’t have any endometriomas so not sure what it was they saw on the MRI... this could be something that could be affecting you though.

Have you had many other symptoms to make you think it’s endometriosis? I’ve suffered for years before being diagnosed so it was almost a relief to find out I had it and that all that pain wasn’t ‘normal’!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery afterwards, make sure you take it easy xxxx

[WeeMrsH in reply to Sprinkles86]

Thanks for that info Sprinkles. Yes I’ve got most symptoms- my pain isn’t severe during the month but still get it, and everything else - bad periods, pain down legs/in groin, back pain, pain before/after bowel movements. Changing bowel habits etc etc the list goes on. Been steadily getting worse the 6 years I’ve been TTC. Never ha a lap yet. If they work out there is an issue with my ovaries I’ll be delighted. But wait and see xx

[E_05]

I haven’t experienced endo affecting my ovarian function but had a laparoscopy 3 years ago where they removed endo, cleared my tubes and I had ovarian drilling. Just wanted to wish you luck for next week xx

[Georgina78]

Hey WeeMrsH, hope you’re doing ok. I have endo which is mainly on my left side and has affected my left ovary..it was stuck to my tube on that side, bowel, bladder etc but although it was all ‘released’ and the endo excised during my last lap, that ovary still struggles to function the same as the right one. The follicles grow to a point but then can’t seem to get any further and sonographers during the IVF process have said that left ovary still looks stuck down more than it should.

I hope your lap goes ok and you get some answers, are they going to treat anything they might find? Xx

[WeeMrsH in reply to Georgina78]

Hi lovely. Thanks for this. Yes they will excise whilst in there if they do find anything. Getting dye thru tubes and a hysteroscopy at same time... 3 for 1 lol. I’ve had the dye before and no issues but that was 2013/14, and also that doesn’t mean no endo as tubes could be fine. I’m so nervous. But also feeling strangely positive. 🤞🏼 Hope you’re well xxx

[Georgina78 in reply to WeeMrsH]

It definitely sounds like everything that can be done will be so that’s really positive and I hope it provides some answers Hun. Yes you’re right as my tubes were fine, it’s understandable to be nervous but the lap itself isn’t too bad..it’s just uncomfortable afterwards as they fill you up with gas and that takes a while to settle..peppermint tea helps! Lots of luck xx

[Bledie]

Hey! Have you been on growth hormones during treatment. That really helped me and made a big difference and I had more and better quality . Are you getting the IVF on the NHS? I also had immune surpression treatment alongside the IVF cycle as some believe endo is an immune disorder. One of me ovaries was lazier than the other I think that one had more endo according to my lap. Good luck w the lap I think the odds of conceiving naturally increase for the 6 months period afterwards x

[WeeMrsH in reply to Bledie]

Hi Bledie. Thanks for responding. We are now at the end of our NHS cycles. Going for donor egg cycle next so even if they find endo it’s a bit late in the game to make a difference to our fertility treatment unfortunately, but it will give me some relief if nothing else x

[Hopeful1982]

Good luck!! ☘️

[seekingpeace]

Dear WeeMrsH,

So sorry to hear you’re still on this site; you were such a comfort to me back in 2014 when I started my ivf journey too. My journey unfortunately hasn’t been successful - Just about to have what will be my 8th and realistically last round.

Anyway, I have some radical advice for you; it will probably break your heart right now, but I’m going to give it so that you can file it away for another day.

My advice is to look at egg donation - I know it sounds scary and not what any of us would want to do, but it is a very real alternative that will allow you to build the family You so desperately want.

Happy to talk more whenever you want, and I really hope this works out for you without you needing to go down that road xx

[WeeMrsH in reply to seekingpeace]

Hi I’m sorry you’re still on this rollercoaster of madness too. That’s so nice of you to say.

I have huge admiration for you doing 8 cycles. I can’t imagine the strength that’s taken.

We are actually already planning egg donation we have our clinic organised in Greece and going out in January to plan treatment! xxx

[seekingpeace in reply to WeeMrsH]

I’m so glad to hear that. Once we started looking at donors I wished we’d done it sooner. But it’s a very hard decision and I admire anyone who makes it. I’ll keep everything crossed for you xx

[discobec]

I had excision of endometriosis and endometriomas in November 2016 and was put on the waiting list for IVF. Unfortunately my symptoms and pain returned very quickly (due to further endometriomas) and I had to have another surgery last month.

I was advised by both my gynecologist and fertility specialist to have them removed rather than drained because although removal can affect ovarian reserve, it also improves egg quality because of reduced inflammation.

IVF has had to be put on hold but we are hopeful of starting in the new year.

[WeeMrsH in reply to discobec]

Hello discobec, thanks for the advice. I really don’t know what to expect from it all - I may not even have Endometriosis. Was told what they do find will be excised.

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I had a lap due to infertility last sept and I had the outcome I wanted, they found very mild endo, treated it with ablation and it seemed to fix me as I have been pregnant naturally twice since! Unfortunately, as you know we have since discovered a chromosome problem with my hubbie so i miscarried both times, but the lap basically fixed me. I hadn’t realised they had never done that for you so I’m feeling really positive for you and hope it has a similarly positive outcome for you.

If you want lap prep tips then do a search on the endometriosis uk site. Xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Ps there’s research from Canada that suggests even very mild endo nowhere near your ovaries might cause infertility - they theorize that it might not be causing blockages but it might be giving off chemical signals that disrupt your body’s natural ability to get pregnant x

[WeeMrsH in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

I’ll look into that - thank you 😘

[WeeMrsH in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Thank you Lizzie, I’m strangely excited haha. Hope you’re well xx