Endometriosis and TTC

[R134]

I've been TTC for 7 months and found out around 4 months ago that I have endometriosis, which was a shock as I have no symptoms (just a cyst that is located next to my cervix found during a smear) . I was wondering how long it took people to conceive with endo? I'm awaiting MRI results to see if it's deteriorated and depending on the results, they may or may not refer me to a specialist.

I'm not too much help on your original question I'm afraid but I saw you haven't had any responses yet - firstly, I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with endometriosis 9 years ago in my very early twenties and have recently started to try to conceive. My surgeon (I've had two, most recent surgery last summer) said that if my ovaries and fallopian tubes weren't affected badly then there's no obvious reason I should struggle to get pregnant, but it's impossible to tell until you start. I really sympathise with the concerns you must have - I was told at 21(!) that if I wanted to have children I should do it soon, which was utterly unhelpful in the middle of a uni degree without a long term stable partner. I've since been reassured by multiple professionals that although yes, it's best not to hang around once you are in a position to TTC with endometriosis, the original advice I was given was terrible.

Sorry. Long ramble there! Short answer is some women struggle, some don't, it's impossible to know and it sucks.

*not too much help on your original question as I've never been pregnant, I should have said! I'm only on cycle 3 of trying.

I had no symptoms at all until a few months ago when I suddenly starting having heavy and painful periods. Had some scans and it shows I have stage 4 endometriosis with adenomyosis too and it’s taken me my surprise as I had no idea all of that was going on.

But I conceived both my children without too much bother fortunately. First cycle for my first and sixth cycle for my second. So it is possible to have endometriosis quite badly and still conceive, but I suspect it depends on where the endo tissue is exactly.

Took me 6 months to conceive naturally.
I did have surgery 7 months prior to remove stage 4 endometriosis.
Personally regardless of the MRI results, push to see a specialist if you can. Endo isn’t always seen on a scan, the best way to diagnose is surgery unfortunately. During surgery as well they can check your tubes as blockages can occur that can prevent ovulation.

Hello, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's brilliant you've never had a symptoms, hope it stays that way for you! I was under the gyne in nov 2020, waiting for a diagnostic laparoscopy. The wait was very long with my trust. So basically all my diagnosis was guess work from the gyne. She assumed that with the pain I have that my ovaries were affected and it would most likely be hard to conceive, all I could do was wait for the laparoscopy. But we can never be sure, as after that appointment I was very very deflated. Went home and cried. We threw caution to the wind and just stopped contraception, didn't temp or use sticks, I fell pregnant straight away. So naturally I fell off the referral for the laparoscopy and I'll never know for definite if the extreme pains are endo or something else. Praying for you!

L

Thank you for all your responses, really appreciate them. I have been to my GP and she has referred me to a fertility specialist but it's a 12 month wait 😩 and I worry about the waiting times for a laparoscopy too as I am turning 31 soon so I feel like time isnt on my side. It's so hard to stay positive 😞

It only took me two cycles. As other posters have said, I'd say it depends on where it is. My endo is on left side and specifically left ovary, but I never had any pain or evidence of endo in right side - so suspect the egg came from there (no definitive proof of that of course!)

Best of luck OP! If you're 31, there's still plenty of time.

It's on my left ovary, but I haven't had any surgery, only an MRI scan so far.
Thank you x