I went to my consultant today after having a normal HSG last month.
I was looking forward for this appointment so much and thought we would discuss our situation in detail but I was very mistaken.
The doctor opened our file and said l “don’t worry, your HSG is normal” I did now that already, thank you very much...
Then she asked for how long we have been trying and we said almost 3 years. She then said “ok, I will refer you for IVF then”. After this there was an awkward silence and we noticed that she expected us to leave...After 30 seconds of our appointment and without asking if we had any questions or anything...
I suspect for a long time (maybe 7years) that I may have endometriosis. I explained this concern to many doctors and everyone of them dismissed my worries and said that if I had endometriosis I would have terrible pain every day of my cycle and wouldn’t even be able to go to work. I know by fact that this is not true for every woman.
Any way, I told the doctor today about my very painful periods that started suddenly when I was 21yo and pelvic pain during most days of my cycle.
She told me that I don’t have endometriosis for sure because Hsg showed that my tubes were clear! I was shocked for her lack of knowledge and explained to her that I know that the only way to discard endometriosis is by having a laparoscopy.
She said that she can’t refer me for one even if she wanted because they don’t have the facilities?? That IVF clinic will deal with the process now..
Is this normal? You ladies that had a laparoscopy, who referred you?
I find it had to believe that a gynaecologist consultant can’t refer me for laparoscopy 🙁
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CatDV
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Hi CatDV these people make me so annoyed! I don't have endometriosis but even I know that symptoms show different in different people. For all your doctors to tell you you'd be in so much pain you wouldn't be able to work is nonsense, because it all depends on the scale of it. And a clear hsg doesn't mean you don't have endometriosis elsewhere. I believe the only way to truly find out is a laparoscopy, am sure some of the ladies on here who've been through it can give you some sound advice. Hope you get answers soon xx
P.s. I got a laparoscopy referral from my ivf clinic but chose not to have it due to long wait (& I think it was consultant knee jerk reaction because she didn't have a clue what was wrong with us). But I'm quite surprised that if your consultant dealt with your hsg that they can't deal with laparoscopy
GPs sometimes make me scream! Do they even know what they are talking about?
Anyway, don’t worry hun about the laparoscopy, one you’re referred to a clinic they will do it if they think there is a need for it. That was what happened to me at least.
Neither my GP or I ever thought I had endo - no pain and I do work full time ( can you imagine that! How silly of your gp!). I was referred to clinic after over a year of ttc. First thing they did was a laparoscopy and guess what - they found stage 4 sever endo! Everything stuck together! That was probably main reason of not getting pregnant - twisted tubes. They couldn’t repair them so ivf is the way to go for us.
The lap was in September, then 3 injections of prostap and now are are aiming for egg collections at the end of March!!!
Don’t worry sweet and go to your clinic. Your gp has no idea about your problems!
Are you in endometriosis uk forum? The ladies there are very helpful and knowledgeable.
I’ve ready about many battles girls has to get a laparoscopy, but they got it in the end. Hopefully you’ll get your way too! Fingers crossed for you xxx
She can refer you for a lap she's a gynecologist for flip sake why on earth do these ppl get paid wages to just pass people about here and there. I got sent to a gynse who booked me in for a lap straight away. If I was you I'd go back to your gp explain the appointment and ask them to refer you back requesting a lap. I have no experience of ivf clinic not sure if they'll do a lap. But you defo need a lap before referred for ivf. She sounds like she shouldn't even be a gynae she doesn't even know the common knowledge based around endometriosis it's ridiculous if I was you ud complain. Getting paid for nothing it's disgusting
I agree with you so much... if she can’t refer me, who can?
I will follow your advice and go back to my GP, so they can refer me again... it feels like an endless process of referrals and months of waiting in between 😢
It's a flipping joke I'm so angry for you, is your Dr understanding does your Dr think you have endo also? If not push to them you feel you have it it took me 16 years to get diagnosed that's with me being in the dark about endo. Once I found out about endo in June 2016 I pushed and pushed and got diagnosed Feb 2017 not that long considering the years iv been thrown back and forth. We have to fight for these things it's unfortunate but it's the way we need to be if we want anything done. I hope you have an understanding supportive gp it does make all the difference. 💗🤗😘
I’m on the waiting list now for a laparoscopy and it was my gynaecology consultant who referred me for one.. he did pretty much as me if I wanted it or not so they most definitely can refer you!
My nhs subfertility dr (who was a substitute so probably not a consultant tbh) referred me for my lap. My ivf clinic said that I didn’t need to have a lap before starting ivf as it wouldn’t affect success rates but i got pregnant naturally twice after my lap and not at all before. Maybe your gp needs to refer you to a different gynae?
God I’m shocked by this gynaes lack of knowledge on endo- particularly as she works in the fertility field.
Allweneedisluv is right - she can refer you for a laparoscopy she is a gynae 🙄
I had my laparoscopy done by my fertility doctor- I had chronic pain which no drs could explain. Prior to the lap he was convinced my pain was bowels not gynae but did the lap to check for endo to be certain it was definitely not gynae - which he found and removed. I had suffered nearly 6 years of “ unexplained infertility “ which our first clinic fobbed us off, had many abnormalities within my cycles for 4 years - which again no medic could explain that was also “ unexplained “. Getting an endo diagnosis seems notoriously difficult. Takes an average of eight years 😳 🤷🏼♀️
If I was you I’d go to your doctors surgery- find a lady dr or one that specialises in gynae aspects. Write all your symptoms down. I went down that route and was referred to a gynaecologist and he then referred me to my fertility doctor ( that’s the edited version 😂) my fertility doctor is amazing and I cannot imagine my journey without him - he goes above and beyond and I cannot fault him 😊
If you get no where with this GP find an endo specialist-one that practices privately and NHS. Shoa him/her your symptoms and see what they say. If they think a lap is the way forward then you can ask to be put on their NHS list 😊
I hate the fact women have to fight so hard to get diagnosed 😡😡😡 makes me so mad!!!
Hi cat, not sure if this helps but i and many ladies on here were given a laporoscopy before being referred for ivf. I would write a letter of concern and demand to have one done. Sometimes with these doctors you have to push yourself xx
I wrote to my fertility doctor after a disappointing appointment with his assistant - obviously I didn’t mention the appointment just stated concerns 🙄 ( on advice from GP) over some concerns I had after my miscarriage. For me it was very effective- he arranged a scan , he then refered me to a gynaecologist and surgery was arranged. Like I said earlier I’m lucky my fertility doctor is fab!
I think putting things in writing gets taken more seriously and cannot be ignored 😊
Might take a while but you should get a reply within a few weeks ( mine wrote 2 weeks later- he was busy checking my lab results and arranging a scan) Just saying so if you dont hear back straightaway don’t panic. Good luck xoxo
Oh my god this did make me angry. Doctors are why I’m in the situation I am now!
I had endometriosis and although I was unaware of this, I went to the doctor numerous times at least over a 10 year process. Like you I didn’t have continuous pain. I did have terrible pain but it would come and go and I could go months without getting any. I was put on many pills, implant I then had extra pain killers and then polyps removed. I had internal scan and was told ‘ I was very healthy up there’.
Once we were referred to the ivf clinic and they had looked into my bloods my specialist refer me for a laparoscopy where I was told I had stage 3.
As you can tell I am still very bitter about the whole process. It was the biggest shock as I was told I was all fine.
My specialist was totally amazing though. She wouldn’t start are icsi journey until I had been operated on. To give us the fighting chance we needed and I can’t rate her more.
I’m sure that as soon as you have your appointment they will look into everything for you, put your mind at ease and at least then they can answer your questions.
I wish you loads of luck for your journey ahead xx
Your welcome like I said I’m sure they will be amazing with you. If anything you’ll get the time to ask and talk through everything. Your welcome we have embryo transfer tomorrow 😊 xx
Hi ya catCV I hade the same heavy bleeding and constant pains I went to my drs and they was brilliant they fort I had edometrial so with in 3 weeks I got a letter to say I’m having an op to fined out what was going on. As we have also been trying for a baby for 14 years even tho we have 2 children throw natural intacols somthing was not right as of not consiving again natural.so the day come I had a laparoscopy and dye test and HYsteroscopy.. then to fined out both my tubs was blocked it was hart braking to get told we would never full naturally again.. SO I no you can request a op to fined out as that’s why I was in so much pain I never had endometrial it was my tubs go and request another check.. good luck for the future xx
I was sent to a gynaecologist for laparoscopy! So have no idea what this person is on about. If anyone can it should be them.
I was referred from gp to gynaecologist.
Keep pushing I hope you get some answers soon and as you rightly said it doesn’t have to be in your tubes and uterus for you to have it. Drs really annoy me sometimes.. 😡🤦🏼♀️
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