Infertility and Endometriosis Suspected

This was exactly the reason for my infertility. I have had multiple laparoscopy's since I was 16 years old, and had one about 3 months before we did IVF the first time. We now have two healthy children, both conceived through IVF, and I haven't had a problem with pain or endometriosis since. PM me if you have specific questions.

Good luck to you.

Been there, done that. I had the laposcopic surgery to check everything was working several years ago (after trying for 2 years). I did have endo, which they fixed, and they cleaned out my polyps. I thought I was good to go. Nope. It confirmed my heart shaped uterus and helped my period, but I still didn't conceive. Not a bad surgery....no real scars, etc.

4 years and two states later, I found myself in Forest Lake, MN. We gave up trying and were going through adoption. I came across Dr. Julie Becker at the Wyoming Fairview clinic and she said I had the signs of PCOS. She put me on metformin for 2 1/2 months and I was pregnant with baby #1. It took another year of trying for baby #2. I've since had more problems with my 'junk' and had a hysterectomy 2 months ago.

I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Becker. Everyone I know who has used her, loves her. She is one of my favorite people. We've moved (again!) and I still send her Christmas cards. (It's worth the 30 minute drive north!)

Good luck! I've been there and it SUCKS!

Yes, do the laparoscopy b/c that's the only way for you to find out exaclty what's going on. It can definitely solve unknown IF issues, but nothing is guaranteed. However, the dr. is suggesting this for a reason. The sooner you go through with this, the sooner your dream of having a baby can come true. GL.

Hi...I have PCOS and have had issues w/ it and endo since I was about 18. I went through 3 1/2 yrs of infertility treatments...we did everything BUT IVF. I was at a point where I said no more. All the drugs, all the tests, all the ultra sounds...ugh! And then to watch others around me having babies...was just too much. I had a laproscopy when I was 18 (to see what was going on w/ me) and another at the end of our "trying"...the last one was a D&C and laproscopy..."to clean me out." After another unsuccessful AI, i said enough. A couple months later, NOT trying and NOT thinking about it and totally done and not taking drugs...I got pregnant...ON MY OWN. I think the laproscopy and D&C probably did help. It also gives some insight into what else might be going on.

It is not too bad or uncomfortable and the scars are minimal, at best. You can't even see mine.

I do not live in MN, so can't suggest a doc, but I wish you all the best (by the way, when daughter was 6 months old, I got prego again, all on my own! ) I have a boy and a girl, almost 13 and 11 3/4!! Best wishes!

I had a Laparoscopy when I was 18. They found I had endometriosis as well as a fibroid and my uterus was not hard but soft. It can be a painful procedure but it doesn't last long. The go in through the belly button and make a small incision above your hair line. I would highly recommend you getting this procedure done. It shouldn't cause any scar tissue or make any complications TTC. It will give you answers that I'm sure your dying to know.

I actually received 6 months of Lupron injections that stopped my period and relieved me of major pain. Before the shots I literally took off school or work every month at minimum 2 days it was horrible pain, vomiting and the other end was out of control as well.

I have an awesome almost 6year old son and I have another one brewing. I did have a miscarriage in between.

Good luck! Talk to your doctor and see what the best solution is for you and your husband.

Yes, have the procedure. It will give the docs an inside view of what is going on. If Endometriosis has spread to other organs and is attached to them it is causing tissue damage everywhere it is attached. The procedure is not a fix, it is an exploratory surgery to find out if they can see anything. They make a little cut, insert a telescope inside, pump air inside the abdomen and then look around. Easy Peasy.

Once the decide if Endometriosos is the culprit they will most likely prescribe a med routine of taking a male hormone to give the pelvic area a rest. You won't have a period as long as you take the med there for the little sac's of tissues all inside the body will die off due to not being fed. The scar tissue will remain. Scar tissue is stiffer, slicker, etc...it is tougher, more unavble to sustain a pregnancy so if this in Endometriosis you need to treat it sooner instead of later.

I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling with infertility. The disappointment and heartbreak must be so hard. I found a website that might help answer some of your questions regarding why laparoscopy is recommended and how endometriosis can negatively effect your ability to conceive and carry a baby. Here's the link:http://www.advancedfertility.com/endometriosis.htm. So sorry I don't have any recommendation for Minnesota OB/Gyns.

I've had 2 laparascopy's due to endometriosis. The first was done after TTC for a year and I was told I had stage 4 endo with little chance of conceiving without assistance. She recommended Lupron (basically puts you into menopause) which I declined since I had read many not desirable things. We gave ourselves a timeline after the lap to conceive on our own before moving to injectibles and we were successful. I had my 2nd lap while TTC our second and this time she cleaned up stage 3 endo. We did some assisted cycles and took a break and conceived again.

I would ask that if they do find endo if they will take care of it right away versus scheduling another lap. I think the less surgeries you have, the better. And yes, a lap is not a permanent fix. It is only temporary and the endo will likely come back unless you get to the root of the problem. I eventually looked to more natural things to control it and have been endo free for years.

Good luck! I hope you are holding a baby in your arms soon.

Hello,
I too suffer from endometriosis and I didnt discover it until after I had kids. It can cause infertility but the Laparoscopy is something you should get done. If you do have endometriosis they will remove it while doing the laparoscopy. My doctor suffers from it too and she said that she had a Laparoscopy simply because she was unable to have kids and after a couple of months she found out she was pregnant but she also changed her diet. There is a diet you should follow they reduces the chances of infertility and the side efforts that you suffer from endometriosis. You can find books on it at your local library and you can find info online.

The Center for Reproductive Medicine in Minneapolis is excellent!

I had a laparoscopy because my periods were so painful. They found endometriosis. They then scheduled a full abdominal surgery to remove as much of the endometriosis as possible in hopes that would reduce the pain. It did. They also told me I would more apt to get pregnant.

So, I say, yes do the laparoscopy. Then you'll know more about your fertility. If it's not endometriosis the doctor can check for other causes. And if it's endometriosis they may be able to remove enough endometrium and thus increase your fertility.