Lap? Cyst and IVF

[ChloeL934]

Hi Ladies,

I’m being referred back to the fertility clinic after husband has been smoke free 6 months! So proud!

So I have a 5cm endometroima on my left ovary, recently seen on a CT scan, it was 3cm last year, so has increased in size. I saw the gyne who wasn’t worried, she said nothing will be done by them until it’s 7cm. I wasn’t in pain so left it there.

Now I’m being allocated the first appointment back with my fert consultant who has already agreeddd to do surgery if I wanted to but this was back when they were small, so I decided to wait, we have issues with husbands sperm so next option is IVF I would like some advice or personal experiences. My dilemma is do I leave the endomtroima there (not in pain only first days of period) and go ahead with the IvF will the cyst being there cause the IvF to not work? Should I get it removed before I go ahead with ivf I’m so unsure.

Some people say get it removed and some people say having the surgery could make things worse.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Hope you all have a lovely day xxx

[LizzieBW]

Hi Chloe,

It's fantastic your Hubby is now smoke-free yaay 🥳 can't believe that's been 6 months!?

It may be different between CCGs, also I'm in Scotland, not sure where you are but we were told by my fertility consultant from local hospital that the IVF clinic wouldn't go ahead with IVF treatment prior to treatment of any endometriosis, particularly my left endometrioma (snap!) because it was found prior to treatment so I had that all done via laparoscopy, early last summer and due to start our first cycle of IVF within the next month or 2! The reassurance I got from our IVF Doctor though was if my endometriosis grows and they see evidence of re-growth during IVF treatment they WOULDN'T automatically stop treatment, unless it hugely interfered with treatment. The Doctor told us having the endometriosis removed improved success rates because endometriosis creates a hostile environment in the pelvis as it "leaks" hormones and fluid that affects liklihood of pregnancy. In saying that, many women with endometriosis become pregnant naturally so it's all about weighing up what you feel is best for you, alongside what your own Doctors recommend for you specifically.

I'm so pleased for you you're at the stage of your IVF consultation 🥳 Good luck xx

[ChloeL934 in reply to LizzieBW]

Hello;

Didn’t think we would get there with the smoking. But so so happy we are at the stage; I just don’t want anything else to stop us.

My local hospital where I’m seeing my fertility consultant doesn’t do IVF so will be transferred to a different hospital, but what I’m wondering is, should I have the lap at my local hospital or go to the different hospital and speak to the IVF doctor there? Would they do the surgery there for me or would I be referred back to my local hospital.

Did you manage to keep your left ovary, as that’s a fear of mine loosing the ovary during surgery. It was my thought that having it removed before IVF would possibly give me the best chance, but also heard that they can grow back quite quickly after surgery. Xx

[LizzieBW in reply to ChloeL934]

I'm in the same position, my local hospital doesn't do IVF so we were referred to Glasgow Royal for IVF last summer and that's us at the top of the waiting list now. I had to have my surgery with my local hospital, prior to treatment as the IVF clinic wouldn't touch it. I was also worried about significant damage to my ovary and was reassured by my surgeon although there was a definite risk of affecting ovarian reserve, the chances of full removal were slim. I had my surgery in June and a transvaginal scan to check for regrowth in December and there was no visible regrowth (scan can't always pick up endo tissue but they could be certain the large mass hadn't returned). I am glad I went for surgery because albeit I may have slightly diminished egg reserve on that ovary now, the chances of pregnancy and success of IVF are higher. Has your consultant not mentioned this to you? Were they more so promoting informed choice? P.s my left ovary is still working as my surgeon mentioned a collapsed follicle at last scan, indicating I'd ovulated from that "damaged" ovary that month 🙂 xx

[ChloeL934 in reply to LizzieBW]

This sounds so much like me.

She offered me the surgery as soon as I saw her, she said it’s completely up to me, but me thinking it would happen and I would fall pregnant and left it, and enjoyed life. However over a year later, and husband issues present and the increase in size of the cyst, I’m learning more towards having the surgery. That’s the top of my worry at the moment; damage to the ovary and completely loosing the ovary.

Thank you for giving me ur experiences. And I wish you all the luck in the world with your IVF xxx

[LizzieBW in reply to ChloeL934]

It's completely understandable you're feeling unsure. I don't think anyone can understand the extent of the decision until they've been in our position, the same with any infertility struggles, there are so many decisions that feel potentially life-changing & hence pressured. I'm sure you'll make a decision that feels right for you 😊 happy to share my experience if it even helps a little. Thank you for the luck - wishing you all the best with your treatment too 🤞🍍 xx

[Florencenightingale]

Hi. Congrats on hubby being smoke free. We had been trying for 3 years and went to fertility clinic, partner had low sperm count, no problems with me, he already had 2 children so we were sent on our merry way to take vitamins and keep trying. Then found I had thyroid antibodies (miscarriage risk) was given thyroxine to regulate periods.

2 years later spontaneous pregnancy which resulted in a 10week MC. Found a cyst in my left ovary which they just thought was hemorrhagic. I went back to the fertility team and kept scanning, still there. Until the consultant scanned me and found it was endometriosis. Having had NO PAIN at all.

At the time he found around 8 eggs in me left ovary but only 3 in my right (the so called better ovary)

Gave me 3 options....leave it and hope for the best. Remove it and hope for the best, or drain it and do IVF at the same time. (We have to pay IVF as partner has kids)

We decided to remove (on NHS) and see how we went. Cyst came out no problems, ovary remains but obviously part was taken with the cyst. No pregnancy in 6 months. Going for IVF soon.

I dont want to tell you what to do so I thought my story might give you some perspective. Hope it helps xx