hysteroscopy or not?

[Salimali44]

I am hoping to have donor egg IVF in Spain soon but my treatment has been delayed as in the mock cycle the clinic do in order to make sure your medication is correct for the real thing my lining never reached more than 5mm. They tried 2 times with up to 8mg of progynova but no success. They recommended a hysteroscopy to check for adhesions, but said I could carry on even with the thin lining if I want to. I have never had any infection or surgery that would cause scarring, and as I am 43 and was on the pill for 20 years I think my lining likely is what it is and a hysteroscopy won’t find anything. I feel it’s just needlessly delaying my treatment which I’m desperate to start. But I’m also anxious not to go against the doctor’s advice. Does anyone have any experience of this situation?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Salinity. My feelings are that as you are going to carry the embryo, it would be good to have a hysteroscopy, as you get a biopsy too of the lining. It might be good to check your tubes too for blockages, so no excess lubrication drops into the womb, preventing the embryo From implanting. All very exciting, so you nee to get it right. Hope all goes well for you. Diane

[Daisy-Delilah]

Hi Salimali,

I had a really similar situation- I was on the highest dosage of prgynova I could have as well as having the patches and my lining wouldn’t get past 5mm. (I was also on the pill for c. 15 years.

My doctor suggested a hysteroscopy, but thought it unlikely they’d find anything as at the time I’d never had a previous pregnancy or miscarriage.

When they did the procedure they found many adhesions that they had to remove.

However after that my lining still didn’t get much better and I took a gamble on a 4.6mm lining as it was trilaminar. That cycle did work and resulted in my 3yo boy.

Since then I had a MMC and then 4 unsuccessful transfers. I had a follow up hysteroscopy which the doctor didn’t think was necessary but found out the d&c had also caused scarring which had to be removed. The doctor said the embryos hadn’t really had a chance in that environment.

I totally get it and hate delaying treatment and even went ahead when I probably shouldn’t have, and essentially wasted a good embryo.

So totally up to you, but thought you might find this info useful.

Good luck xxx

[Salimali44 in reply to Daisy-Delilah]

Thank you very much for replying, that is really useful to hear your experience. We have decided to try without the hysteroscopy this time. If it doesn’t work we will do it before the next round. Every decision seems so loaded and vital but at the end of the day a lot of this seems to be about magic and luck! I’m really glad you were successful that one time and sorry to hear about your subsequent experience- but I hope your little boy brings you lots of joy to see you through. Good luck for you too x

[TTC0011]

I’d go for the hysteroscopy- I found partially blocked tubes and cervical stenosis on mine (after 6 transfers).

[Kmcdon]

I had a hysteroscopy after two miscarriages and although they didn’t find anything dr said that it would work almost like an endometrial scratch. My next transfer was successful! I had put it off previously when clinic wanted me to get one so went for it the second time. In between had an unsuccessful transfer, not sure if related but it might be worth doing to put your mind at rest. Xx

[Salimali44]

thank you all for your replies, it’s so nice on this forum to be able to share worries and hear others experiences. In the end we decided to go ahead without the hysteroscopy. My gut instinct is telling me that it isn’t necessary… and since science doesn’t always seem to work regarding fertility I’m going with superstition and feelings! 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀