Scar tissue in endometrial lining!

[Katrina_13]

Hi,

I’m new here, just looking for a little support and advice. Yesterday we got another negative after our fourth attempt of IVF.

We got referred to ivf after I had an operation to remove my appendix which also involved an infection of peritonitis- my hospital notes give details of inflamed structures in uterus and both Fallopian tubes. My consultant initially explained that my tubes had been damaged with scar tissue as a result of the operation therefore ivf would be the best option.

As we are now 4 rounds in without any positive result I am now questioning whether it really is my tubes that are the issue, each round has not required the use of my tubes therefore I’m confused and wanting further investigation.

My instinct tells me that I may have scar tissue within my uterus which could be causing the implantation failure!

Has anyone experienced something similar or can anyone help or advise me on whether this would even effect my chances of a successful cycle.

Thanks,

KW

[Squeak2]

Hi! I’m not sure I can really advise you on this but have you any chance of speaking again with your consultant to ask about the possibility of scar tissue in your uterus? If it is a possibility then I’m surprised that the clinic would let you go through 4 rounds without wanting to support you further without investigating?! I hope you have some luck with this, good luck! 💕 xx

[Katrina_13 in reply to Squeak2]

Thanks for the reply, yes that’s the frustrating part which I can’t get my head around- surely the clinic would rather investigate further instead of just risking wasting perfectly good embryos- I have a follow up in Jan so hopefully we can move on from then! Xx

[cryst4l]

Hi Katrina, I have stage 4 endomrtriosis with lots of scarring on my organs but I was told that the inside of my uterus was healthy and free from scarring. They did also say that there would have been issues with implantation/sustaining a pregnancy had I have had scarring inside the uterus. Perhaps ask the dr to explain exactly where your scarring is and get a hysceroscopy done to look inside the womb if you havent already done so. Good luck xx

[Katrina_13 in reply to cryst4l]

Hi, I have asked previously and they seem to be very vague about it all- which is very frustrating as you can imagine but Ive trusted them as they’re the professionals. I will be requesting a hysceroscopy when I go back in Jan. Thanks 🙏 x

[Hidden]

Hi, I have endometriosis and my tubes were damaged with scar tissue & my Consultant also indicated that it lead back to an appendix removal. Seemingly removal of an appendix from a woman can cause fertility problems which wasn't fully understood many years again when I had it done as a child. Anyway damaged tubes can leak toxins into the uterus which can prevent an embryo from implanting. I had both my tubes removed during a laparoscopy as I was told it would be impossible to get pregnant otherwise. My first ivf after the procedure was a bfn as they subsequently discovered id got an infection in my uterus from the Lap!..back on track now, best of luck, X

[Saya85 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Molly

I just read your post and was wondering if you had any symptoms from the infection? How did they diagnose it ?

I imagine it wasnt apparent or obvious as you went through IVF before diagnosis.

I am wondering if something similar happened to me.

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Saya85]

Hi, no symptoms at all, in fact I thought I was the healthiest Id been in yrs. I had an endometrial biopsy done after the failed ivf and discovered it then. Then a summer of antibiotics and repeated biopsys until eventually iv antibiotics got rid of it, an absolute bloody nightmare!, X.

[Saya85 in reply to Hidden]

Oh damn! I'm seriously wondering if I have it too. Did laparoscopy in december. I also had several colds and infections thereafter and my IVF failed in april.

I have a lot of bloating around abdomen and always suspected a hidden infection.

Did the biopsy need to be done straight after the failed IVF? Or was it done after once you had had your withdrawal bleed?

Sorry for so many Qs

[Hidden in reply to Saya85]

Hi, the first biopsy was done after my first bleed/ period. The biopys have to be done near the end of your cycle & just before your period is due to ensure theres enough lining thickness to take a decent sample. It's very sore!

[Saya85 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the heads up!

We're on our way to our transfer this morning so probably not the best time to be worrying about this 🤣

But it's something I considered previously and if this fails then at least I'm reassured im not crazy in thinking it's a possibility ! And can ask clinic

Thanks again

[Hidden in reply to Saya85]

Very best of luck today!, X

[Katrina_13 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear about the complications you’ve had- thanks for the reply and Good luck xxx

[Saya85]

Hi Katrina

Have you had a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy since your tubes were looked at?

I think your quite right to investigate further

I thought my issues were just about ovulation and fertilisation and the implantation bit would be easy but weve had great embryo success and no implantation yet.

I'm now on blood thinners and steroids and better thyroid control as well as higher progesterone to help with all the issues. It may be you need a tweak to your protocol but I did a laparoscopy before restarting IVF to make sure there was no endo/fibroids/scar tissue.

During the procedure your consultant can easily also give you an endometrial scratch so that could help when you restart IVF a couple months later

[Katrina_13 in reply to Saya85]

Hi, I’ve had neither since my operation- they said it would probably just wait time so might aswel just start the ivf so they apparently put us to the top of the list!

It’s always been in the back of my mind that further investigation should have been done but I just followed their advice.

I did have some further blood tests which indicated that I needed to take thyroid control- I also requested a endometrial scratch as is read about it somewhere— both don’t seem to have made a difference as this cycle was also 👎

Glad your protocol has been tweaked- good luck for your next round x

[Georgie17]

I am in a similar position to you. I had as much scar tissue as possible removed before I started on my ivf journey.mine was also from my appendix removal and the scar tissue which formed.they took away what they could but told me to start ivf asap. I found out yesterday that my 5th round was a negative and a few ladies advised the hysteroscopy so I'm going to ask about that. I feel that my issue is implantation failure and I agree that my uterus could also be the issue. Keep me posted on what you find out and I'll do the same. I'm not due to see my consultant till January now but the recurrent failures are tough to handle. I did get a positive on my third attempt but this ended in a miscarriage. I was told after this that getting pregnant meant that my body could get pregnant but my medication needed to be adjusted to avoid miscarriage. I'll try again in the new year. I don't have any advise now I'm afraid but good luck with your investigations xx

[Katrina_13 in reply to Georgie17]

Hi Georgie, really sorry to hear about your negative. Your situation sounds very similar to mine, I too am going to ask about a hysteroscopy at my appointment in Jan.

On my first round I also got a positive result but that resulted in a biochemical- the Drs have always referred back to this saying that you can get pregnant so that’s a good thing, I feel asthough they are just fobbing me off sometimes!

I will keep you informed, Good luck & thank you xxx

[2-shades-of-hope]

Hi Katrina, I’ve had a ruptured appendix and peritonitis and sepsis too. This happened straight after my first round of IVF (BFN) and before my FET (miscarriage but likely chromosomal reasons). There is research now that shows that removing the appendix can be beneficial for fertility, although they don’t know why (google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.... Some doctors are too quick to blame appendix removal for infertility when in fact there are other undiagnosed issues so I think it would be well worth pushing for more investigations. Good luck xx

[Katrina_13 in reply to 2-shades-of-hope]

Hi, thanks for the reply- sorry to hear about all your complications. Hopefully the new year will bring you some good luck. I will be requesting further investigation at my appointment in Jan. Take care xxx

[Ellie5]

Hi Katrina,

Have you tried the assisted fertility section in the Glow ap? There's a lady in there who had scaring and caught 3rd round of IVF. I'm just thinking you may get more response in there. Don't give up. I have finally caught 3rd round and managed to improve my egg quality using embryogen.

Good luck xx

[Katrina_13 in reply to Ellie5]

Hi,

Thanks, do I download the glow app and find the assisted fertility section there?

Xx