Tell me about endometriosis?

[ShayeraHol]

First visit to fertility clinic this week - had internal ultrasound - showed what the nurse thinks might be endometriosis. I'm seeing the consultant in 2 weeks, but to set my mind at rest (because I'm sure you can imagine what's going through my head...) wondered if anyone can talk me through what it means (treatment, what chances of conception are etc.) in layman terms? Also, any success stories?

I don't know much about the condition, but didn't want you to go unanswered.

I read somewhere that it is an infection of the uterus lining, caused from many things; scraping of the uterus following abortion or MC, STDs, douching, etc. Basically, anything that can reach the lining and penetrate/irritate it. I think a strong course of antibiotics are given, but they may need to take a sample of the lining.
If your lining if badly infected, then maybe (just maybe) it isn't thickening as it should, which could cause problems, but you won't know any of this until you see your consultant.
However, your nurse only thinks it might be this, so stay positive hun, you'll be right. Even if it turns out to be it, at least you're getting it sorted

However, on a more positive note, my ex's sister had it along with fybroids and she was all fixed after having her first child (now has two)...

HTH

Hello, Endometriosis is where the lining of your womb 'grows' elsewhere, it can affect many organs such as bowels, tissue around the womb etc or like my sister, on her overaries. My sister has had it for a long time and the only way to fully diagnose is for a laproscopy, a camera thro your belly button, that will show the full extent and whether or not to operate. I think it depends on where you have it and to what extent for it to effect your fertility or not. Many woman go onto having sucessful pregnancies with this condition, so try not to worry too much, im sure you'll be fine xxx

Sorry, I got it confused with Endometritis

Hi Shayera,

I have endo and I am a parent.

Why did the nurse think there may be endo present - did she also go by your symptoms?.
Endometriosis is usually confirmed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

What symptoms do you have - common endo indicators include very painful periods (thats a very big clue), pain mid cycle, deep pain during sex, pelvic pain. Infact any symptom that is cyclical in nature and gets worse during menstruation may well be due to endometriosis.

www.endo.org.uk is a UK website re endo and has a lot of good quality information on it.

Any other questions just ask

Attila

I'm another mum with endo. I was diagnosed quite young (before trying to conceive) because I had unexplained monthly pelvic pain and was sent for laparoscopy after ultrasound.

I had keyhole and my endo was lasered during the same op. I was told the endo was in 3 or 4 places - as ilove2shop says it can affect various organs.

I worried about potential fertility problems on diagnosis and my consultant's response was "of course you want to have a baby, that's why we're operating" so I got the impression (although don't know the stats) that successful treatment can often mean successful conception.

My DH and I had put off having a baby for years, but panicked at this news and decided to try as soon as I'd healed. That month I conceived DD1 and we now have a second dd as well.

Good luck, hope our success story keeps your hopes up for now.

endo since teenager... have two children following laser treatment. have had two laparoscopies.

it generally takes years to diagnose as, in my opinion, GPs are absolutely shite when it comes to women's pelvic pain

Hi - I'm also another endo suffer, TTC for a year before have a laparoscopy and severe endo was discovered. I had this lasered away and fell pregnant the following month There is quite a bit of info on endo & effect on fertility and treatment of it here

www.92harleystreet.com/reproductive_surgery.html#4

I had no symptons of endo apart from infertility, which apparently isn't particularly unusual.

Good luck

Fantastic - thanks very much all. You've set my mind at rest! If this is the reason why we've not succeeded yet then at least it sounds pretty fixable.

I'm fuzzy on the details (as appointment was en route to a major business meeting so I forgot to take note of any of it!), but basically the ultrasound showed a cyst which the nurse said could indicate endo - but she said the consultant might want to recheck next month to see if it's a one off. I've got bloods for progesterone levels next week. I don't get serious period pain or heavy periods which is what I'd always associated with endo - I do get mid cycle pain though.

mid cycle pain was my only symptom...