endometriosis and ivf

[Lovelife26]

Hi guys hoping to get some advice/support

I am 34 years old. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis stage 4 in 2021 and had surgery at this point. I don’t have adenomyosis but the endo is extensive.

We tried to conceive naturally for 6 months after surgery which didn’t work. We then had our first round of IVF where we were unsuccessful. I managed to get 1 good quality embryo that was transferred but pregnancy was negative.

The fertility clinic said due to the endo and having a low ovarian reserve we had a very small chance of producing our own good quality eggs. The advice was to use donor eggs or to repeat the ivf cycles with the same high doses of stimulating meds.

I wasn’t ready to give up yet. I’m currently in Greece having my 2nd round of IVF cycle. The prices and the level of care you get here is amazing compared to the UK. However I have found out my severe endometriosis has come back whilst doing my ultrasound scans here in Greece. I now have kissing ovaries (2 large cysts) and unfortunately due to my endo I only have 1 egg ready to collect in 2 days. I can see where this is heading already.

I am devastated. Is it wise to have surgery again? But I’m worried it will make my fertility and ovarian reserve worse? Should I give up and start considering donor eggs? If anyone has been on a similar journey to me or has any advice I would be very grateful.

[Anxiousintrovert]

Just want to wish you the very best of luck x

[Lovelife26 in reply to Anxiousintrovert]

Thank you so much 😊 xx

[Sharbertn]

I'm in such a similar boat except I don't have your age on my side, I'm 40 in Feb, really don't know what to do, we're already using donor sperm so would end up being a double donor which I don't know if I'm ready for. However the more I think about it the more it makes sense, what does it matter if there is no genetic match if it means we manage to get pregnant and have what we've wanted for so long.

Would love to chat more if you want to!

[Lovelife26 in reply to Sharbertn]

Sorry to hear it’s been a difficult journey for you too. I hope you get what you dreamt of. It’s difficult to find to terms with using donor egg/sperm or both but I’m now thinking what does it matter. Genetics is a very small part of our children. I would like to pass down all the good in me and my partner and hope they would become a decent person it takes some time to grieve the loss of your genetics but once we have that child I’m sure we will love it no matter what x

[Sharbertn]

Also don't give up just yet, it only takes one embryo!! I have had 1 positive pregnancy with the only remaining embryo, unfortunately it didn't work out but at least we knew that I can get pregnant. This could be the one for you!! 🤞🏼

[Lovelife26 in reply to Sharbertn]

Thank you for your responses 🙂 fingers crossed. Sending you lots of well wishes xx

[supportplease]

Surgery for endometriosis will drastically reduce the AMH. Have had the same issue, severe endometriosis, kissing ovaries and AMH reduced by 3times. Was never told that AMH can drop so much by the consultant so was fuming when I saw the result but the damage was done. If the doctors have advised donors, then they have said that for a reason..

Wishing you all the luck and the best xx

[Lovelife26 in reply to supportplease]

That’s horrible how they missed out such a vital piece of information - sorry that you had to go through this! Thank you for your advice x.

[Lovelife26]

My amh is 2.6 and I’m 34 years old. I’ve now been told by 2 different ivf specialists to try donor eggs. I think surgery does lower your amh even more sadly.