Endometriosis and IVF

Hi. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis and more recently polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I have a severe form of endometriosis and following a recent MRI scan was told that my uterus, ovaries and other parts of my body down there are just one big sticky mess. I also have a condition called “kissing ovaries” as a result of the endometriosis. This is where your ovaries are effectively kissing because of all the scar tissue wrapped around them. I went for my first IVF consultation a few days ago with a local NHS clinic. The doctor told me to go straight into IVF treatment without removing the endometriosis from my uterus and tubes. She added that because of my PCOS, any surgery may end up damaging my ovaries. I was surprised by this as I thought the best thing to do would be to remove all the endo before having IVF. I can understand the PCOS on my ovaries and not wanting to damage them. Surely by removing the endo this means the egg has a better chance of surviving with no scar tissue in the way? Has anyone received similar advice? I’m super dubious about it as all I’ve heard from others who have endo is that they get it removed before contemplating IVF. I have a follow up consultation in Feb with my local endo clinic but just wanted to get an opinion on here. Thanks!

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Hi Caroline, my surgeon won't do anymore operations on me until I'm done trying with ivf. She said it could do more damage than good I'm afraid. Mine is also severe and I frequently have endometriomas in my ovaries. I lost half an ovary during my last operation. I'm now moving on to donor eggs or embryo as I have such a diminished ovarian reserve and the quality of the 2 eggs I got was so poor. I have the same worry as I have endometriomas in my uterus which will obviously leave damage. So I'm in a mad rush to find a clinic with no waiting time for donor recipients as my own has a year long list and I know my endo will just get worse. Hope that helps 💛

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Hi Natasha..where are you ? I know create in Toronto has no waitlist starting April.

Thanks Natasha for your reply. I forgot to mention that they have suggested surgery to get a fibroid in my uterus removed. There is a 6 month waiting list for this. Like you, I too want to get this out of the way so I can get on with IVF and assessing how many eggs I have. I had a blood test to assess my AMH levels. I’m hoping this comes back positive. I have PCOS and apparently this means you have a high level of AMH but on a blood test that I had before Christmas it said I had low levels?? So I don’t really know what to believe right now. My next consultation is on 6 Feb. I’m sorry to hear you have lost a part of your ovary. It’s awful isn’t it. I’m hoping my egg reserve isn’t too low but I haven’t had it tested yet. Good luck with everything and I hope you get some results soon

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