IVF with polycystic ovaries, adenomyosis and possible endo

[orangecatmum]

Hi all - first time posting here as I'm at the start of my IVF journey and full of excitement, fear and worry in equal measure.

I'm having IVF because I have a few issues myself - polycystic ovaries, mild adenomyosis and possible endo (the waiting list for a laparoscopy is too long to wait to get it looked into - but my left ovary is stuck behind my uterus with adhesions so it is likely I have some form of it) after irregular, excruciating, heavy periods for years. My partner's sperm morphology and motility is also not good enough either and, after falling pregnant once in 2 years and having a miscarriage at 7 weeks, onto IVF we go. I'm 36 and he is 41, so we are beyond ready to become parents.

However, I see a lot of negative outcomes online regarding pregnancy/IVF success with adenomyosis and endo, which obviously does not fill me with hope. I have an appt in 2 weeks to discuss our plan of action with the ferility clinic (King's Fertility in London) for our one NHS round, so I'd love some advice on what I should be asking for/pushing for in the way of support.

I'd also love to know if anyone has had successful outcomes with IVF despite adeno/endo? To keep me feeling as positive as I can during this mad, mad time.

Thanks!

[HedgehogMad]

Welcome to the forum lovely, there are lots of women on here who have had success with PCOS, endo and adenomyosis so you have every chance of it working for you ♥️With endometriosis I believe the evidence isn't there for any extra treatment other than possibly excision surgery if you experience implantation failure. Although some women have done well with down regulation before frozen embryo transfer to calm everything down.

If your partner's semen analysis isn't great I would suggest asking about having ICSI (where they inject each egg individually after selecting the best looking sperm), that can have better fertilisation rates than normal IVF. Wishing you best of luck and don't hesitate to ask questions, this forum is a great source of support xx

[orangecatmum in reply to HedgehogMad]

Thank you! We are actually going to do ICSI, they already said this was our best option, as well as genetically testing the embryos to raise our chances of success, so it will be a frozen transfer in the end anyway.

And it's glad to hear there are some success stories with endo/adeno! It's been such a doom and gloom place on my research so far so that really is great to hear.

[Here4ivfinfo in reply to orangecatmum]

My cousin had adenomyosis, endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes. Failed one cycle of IVF, had a miscarriage, ended up having surgery on the endo and fell pregnant immediately after it. She tried for maybe 7 years. So it’s possible. I have adenomyosis apparently, tried one fresh transfer, prepping for my first frozen at the moment. I wish you the very best xxxx

[Faith103]

Hi,

Welcome, I hope you are well.

I am in a similar situation to you. I’ve got stage 4 endo, my ovaries are stuck together and to the back of my womb. My bowel is also involved. I managed to get pregnant via ivf with my miracle boy. I would like more ivf but I’ve just recently found out my ovaries are full of cysts as well as my endo and I’ve just been told I’ve got adomyosis. 😞 I’m not sure how bad but it’s definitely there. I’ve had 3 ivf transfer after my son which were unsuccessful. Everything was perfect but I think it’s down to the adnomyosis which at the time I didn’t know was there. I am the same age as you, 36. I am really scared for what is to come.

I wish I could give you more advice but I am also scared and in limbo. I do know people on this forum have got pregnant with endo. Myself included but I’m more concerned with the adomyosis as the womb is the final step in ivf and my womb has also been clear for my successful transfer but now it’s not so I’m so concerned. I’ve already spent 15k on ivf. I too have booked to speak to my specialist because I feel I need to know if it’s game over for me.

I’m always here to talk and I wish I knew more myself to give you more hope. I’m so worried.

xxxx

[WanderingWonder]

Hey!

My circumstances are similar to yours!I have had a few consultations and done lots of research and believe I have learned the following:

1. The sperm issue is a big deal and it would be worth your partner getting into the best condition of his life to boost your chances. There are many supplements he could be taking if he isn’t already to improve morphology and the fragmentation. Diet, exercise, sleep all the usual stuff are almost more important for him than you! - the clinic might say that because of ICSI it isn’t something to worry about, but from what I’ve read and speaking to people on forums, that’s often not the case.

2. Adenomyosis - find out how severe and where the Adenomyosis is. If it’s mild it may not have an impact, but if it’s significant it may be worth undergoing down regulation prior to any transfers - so it would be worth speaking to the clinic about this.

My husband and I won’t be able to afford unlimited rounds, so we are currently balancing a need to not delay too much (I have low AMH) with giving ourselves the best shot by improving sperm quality and egg quality, to give the rounds we can do, the best chance!